The Internet Archive hosts massive collections of Windows Phone software.

Your Lumia 950 might be retired, but your PC can keep its soul alive. Download better, archive smarter.

If your phone is running Windows 10 Mobile, you can install apps directly:

Sites like XDA Developers often host "cracked" or unencrypted .xap files that are easier to sideload. How to Install Files via PC

Since the official web store is gone, developers have created a "Microsoft Store Repository." This is a database that indexes apps that were available in the Windows Store and provides direct download links to Microsoft's Content Delivery Network (CDN).

You need the specific ID of the app you want.

Most devices need to be "unlocked" to accept non-Store files. Use tools like WP8.1 Device Tool or Interop Tools for Windows 10 Mobile.

When to use: You bought the app and the store provides a way to download the package. Limits: modern Store often uses cloud distribution, not direct XAP/APPX files.

If you use Windows 10 Mobile, you do not even need an app installer on your PC.

Note the local IP address provided on the screen (e.g., 192.168.1.50 ). Open a web browser on your PC and enter that IP address. Pair the devices using the code generated by your phone.

A more technical approach is to use a PC tool that mimics the Microsoft Store to generate direct download links. is a mini-app (a "micro-clone") for Windows 10 Mobile that can be used from your PC to search for and generate download URLs for apps directly from Microsoft's servers.