I updated Azure hosted SL5 version of the XLStyles Tool couple of minutes ago to stop working on Windows 10 since it went RTM last week. There are couple of reasons for it: Silverlight is not supported in the Windows 10 Edge browser just like it wasn’t supported in the immersive IE in 8.1 (makes it really confusing for the users), as unfortunate as it is SL5 is not coming back and I’m starting to look into potential modifications that may come from Office 16 and would like to focus on the most popular versions of the tools first. The app store version is optimized for Windows 8/8.1/10 experiences and actually looks pretty awesome in Windows 10. Let me know if for any reason you want me to add SL5 version support back for Windows 10.
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I have had the problem with excel since the last windows updates were installed. But when I try to download your tool it does nothing, I can’t download it. I tried using IE, Chrome, and Edge. Is there any way to get it sent?
What operating system are you on and what version of the tool are you trying to use? My apps fix very specific Excel file format corruption issues and more than likely won’t help you with the problems related to windows updates. If you suspect that windows updates broke your Excel then you should run repair of your Office installation. If you list exact steps you are taking to obtain my app and what version of Windows you are on I should be able to help you run appropriate version of the XLStylesTool on your machine. It runs even on Mac.
Sorry should have included that. Windows 10 professional 64 bit. I get directed to a page from msanswers. There is a button to click to get the tool but it does nothing. I’ve tried with all firewalls and anti virus off and on, no change. I have run a repair. After doing more I find edge and ie latest version don’t work but I can get chrome to work about half the time. Same result whether I use an empty or a populated excel file.
Is there more you need?
Windows 10 app is the easiest to get. I’m not sure what link you are clicking on to get to what I’m assuming is KB article. You can simply go to the app store and search for “XLStylesTool” and just install it. This is direct app link.
In the bottom left corner of this page https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/store/apps/XLStylesTool/9WZDNCRFJPTG it has a Get the App button. I click it and the little circle that says Edge is updating keeps circling forever and nothing ever downloads.
Any idea.
Do you have store app setup on you PC? Were you able to install any other Windows Store apps on this PC before? The link should open store app and not stay in the browser. What happens when you open store app and search for XLStylesTool while you are in the store app?
I am signed into the store when I use Edge, when I try a different browser it tells me I need an app but not when I use Edge. Should I try to download something else? Seems odd that I could be signed in and still need an app but where do I get a store app?
Store app is pre-installed. Type “store” in the search field in the start menu. You should see store app icon. I suspect that it may not be configured, corrupted or disabled in your case. Microsoft support should be able to help here troubleshoot the issue.
Hi XLGeek, do you have plans to update the standalone executable version of your XLStylesTool? Our organization has recently upgraded to 8.1 and our profiles do not have Microsoft Store access, and the executable version does not support this version of Windows.
Are you saying your org disabled store access via GP or you can’t/don’t want to setup Microsoft Account? App store is much better way to distribute custom apps.
Can’t sign into a Microsoft account on the computer.
How do you then support distribution of Windows Store Apps internally? I’ve never looked into it, but I think Intune App Store might allow you to redistribute app store apps? If your IT knows how to lock down store access they should also support alternative way to get the apps. Company Portal is the official way to do it I think. The “no Microsoft Account” policy makes little sense in the “bring your own device to work” world. App Store apps are much more secure, easier to distribute, patch and update. It is definitely the future.
We don’t use anything that’s from the Windows store. BYOD hasn’t occurred at our organisation… Yet.
I covered details for sticking with App Store App starting with Windows 8+ in a post couple of years ago, but will reiterate important points in this comment string in case someone searches for Win 8+ pure .Net app support and ends up here. There were changes made in the OS since Win 8 that make custom apps downloaded from the web come up with a message box that makes it very hard for the user to even find the button to allow the custom app to run. This was the right thing to do from security standpoint and also to steer developers to build Windows App Store apps. The strategy and goals for the future were pretty clear to me. One way for me to work around this was to get store app dev license and build store app (which I did). Another option was to buy digital certificate and start signing my apps. Now certificates are not cheap and I want to keep the app free. If there is a lot of demand in the user community for non-app store app to run on Win 8+ and we can find a way to fund the certificate I will do the necessary work. So far your case is the first one with this ask, but that doesn’t mean that there is no demand for it that I’m simply not made aware if sys admins can disable App Store access for the enterprise users and cut their ability to use store apps necessary for their day-to-day activities. I’m open to all ideas to make users of XLStyles Tool happy.
We have also disabled the store. Can this be packaged as a standalone?
Try this method
Put it this way… our organisation only just commenced rollout of Windows 8.1 from XP in November last year.
Is there a Windows 7 64-bit version of this?
Yes, click on XLStylesTool button (between Home and About) in the menu below the site picture.
How can I use XLStyles Tool on Windows 10 Corporate? My organization has moved to Windows 10 from Windows 7 and now app doesn’t work. Windows Store is disabled via group policies and I can do nothing with that. I really need this app sometimes, but now I can’t.
Could you help me, please?
You need to work with your IT department on app whitelisting. Microsoft app store is the best way to distribute the app on Windows 8+.
I have Windows 10 now and when I am in the Microsoft store, nothing happens when I click “Get App”. Do you know what’s wrong with Microsoft’s link or store? So weird.
Are you in the US market? All markets seem to work fine. Have you tried contacting MS support?
After installing from the App Store and “process” file, the file doesn’t open as it used to where I could save the changes… do you any thoughts to troubleshoot?
In store apps processed file is saved automatically. This nuance is described in the article for the store apps. The change had to be made because of Win8+ brokered access to file system. It is more restrictive.
So, after a few months of going back and forth with my new company’s IT department, I’ve reached an impasse: My company will not allow me to downgrade to Windows 7 and it will continue their blanket restriction to the Microsoft Store for Windows 8+ (I’m on Windows 10). I’ve now explained the merits of the Store as a distribution platform half a dozen times (and upon their rejection, even tried asking for a single exception), but the consistent theme is that no one in my organization is willing to fight to change the status quo of this seemingly arbitrary policy.
Thank you for developing this wonderful tool. It’s been my faithful companion for 4+ years, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I might have become TOO dependent on it. For now, I’ll have to use the add-in alternatives out in the wild, although their lack of effectiveness and consistency often leads to more frustration…