Amazon launched a Prime Video app through the Microsoft Store on June 30, 2020, initially as a Windows 10 app. Its clearest advantage over watching in a browser was the ability to download eligible movies and shows for offline viewing. Amazon’s help documentation, checked August 18, 2026, still lists a Windows app for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
What Amazon launched
The June 2020 release was a Windows app for Amazon’s existing Prime Video service, not a new streaming service or subscription tier. Users could already stream in a browser; the app offered another way to browse and watch the same service. Thurrott reported the launch on June 30, 2020.
Launch coverage described access to recommendations, Amazon Originals and other Prime Video programming, X-Ray information about actors, songs and trivia, and titles available to rent or buy. Prime Video Channels were also part of the offering in supported countries and regions. What a viewer can watch depends on location, licensing, and whether a title is included with their access, rented, purchased, or supplied through a separate channel.
The app is Amazon’s product; the Microsoft Store was its distribution channel. Installing it does not by itself grant access to paid content. A title may require Prime membership or another Prime Video subscription, a rental or purchase, or a channel subscription.
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Why the app mattered to Windows viewers
Offline downloads
The headline practical difference was downloading eligible titles to watch without an internet connection. That can be useful on a trip or anywhere connectivity is unreliable. Amazon’s download help lists the Windows app among the supported ways to download; browser playback is not the same download workflow.
A dedicated interface
The app also provided a more conventional desktop experience for browsing and searching than using Amazon’s shopping-oriented website. In a hands-on assessment published July 10, 2020, Windows Central found the interface and offline playback useful, while judging the overall improvement over browser viewing modest.
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What Amazon documents now
Amazon’s computer requirements page lists the Prime Video app for Windows 10 and Windows 11. It documents Windows app playback up to HD with stereo audio, along with subtitles, audio description, and live streaming when connected to the internet. It also lists supported-browser playback on computers running Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, or Linux. See Amazon’s computer and browser requirements.
Amazon’s current documentation is a useful guide to supported platforms and documented playback capabilities, but it does not establish every detail of the current Store listing or app version. In particular, do not assume the Windows client provides 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos, or multichannel audio: Amazon’s cited Windows documentation specifies HD and stereo.
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- 15.6-INCH FULL HD DISPLAY: Enjoy immersive visuals on the 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with micro-edge bezels. Delivers clear details and comfortable viewing for long study sessions, working on spreadsheets, and video playback
- RESPONSIVE MULTITASKING & STORAGE: Built with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and 128GB eMMC storage for smooth daily essential use. Expand your storage by up to 1TB via the integrated TF card slot to easily store movies, photos, and working files
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App or browser: which should you use?
| Use case | Windows app | Browser |
|---|---|---|
| Online streaming | Yes | Yes, in a supported current browser |
| Offline downloads | Yes, for eligible titles | No; Amazon’s download instructions require a supported app or device |
| Documented computer support | Windows 10 and Windows 11 | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux with supported browsers |
| Documented Windows playback | Up to HD, stereo | Amazon lists browser requirements separately; consult its computer requirements for supported playback details |
The Windows app is the more useful choice if you need downloads or prefer a dedicated interface. Browser playback is simpler if you only watch while online, want to avoid installing another app, or use a supported desktop operating system other than Windows.
Launch-era limitations, not a promise about every current build
Windows Central’s July 2020 testing reported that the app lacked 4K, HDR, Dolby 5.1 surround sound, and picture-in-picture or compact overlay. Those are observations about the launch-era app, not proof that every later build behaves identically. For current Windows playback expectations, Amazon’s own documentation specifies HD and stereo; it does not confirm higher-resolution or theater-format support.
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- 4GB DDR4 + 128GB eMMC STORAGE: Equipped with 4GB DDR4 memory and 128GB eMMC storage for everyday basics such as browsing, documents, email, and online learning platforms. The built-in TF card slot supports storage expansion up to 1TB, giving you more flexibility for files, photos, videos, and daily documents. TF card not included.
- CONNECTIVITY & PORTS: Includes 1× TF card slot, 2× USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, and 2× full-featured Type-C ports (USB 3.2 Gen1). The Type-C ports support data transfer, charging, and video output, enabling flexible connection with external devices such as monitors, storage, and peripherals for daily work and study use.
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Offline viewing also came with licensing and reauthentication constraints. Download availability is title-dependent, so the app should not be treated as a way to save the entire catalog or keep permanent copies.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to install the app and download a title
Install through Microsoft Store
- Open the Microsoft Store on a compatible Windows PC.
- Search for Amazon Prime Video, then open the official app listing if it is available in your Store region.
- Use the install control displayed by the Store. Its wording and the listing’s availability may vary.
- Open the app and sign in with the Amazon account that has access to the title you want to watch.
If the app does not appear, check your Windows and Store region settings, update Windows and Microsoft Store, and consult Amazon’s device installation help. A supported browser is the straightforward alternative for online viewing. Avoid unofficial installers or region-switching workarounds unless Amazon and Microsoft’s current policies explicitly support them.
Download movies or TV episodes
- In the app, open the movie’s detail page and select its download option if one is offered.
- For a TV show, choose a whole season or select individual episodes from the episode list.
- On Windows, choose where downloads are saved if the app presents a storage-location setting. Amazon advises against saving downloads to USB-connected drives.
If a download option is missing, the title may not be licensed for offline viewing, or its rental, purchase, channel, or regional terms may differ. Account authentication and available storage can also affect whether a download works. Amazon says downloaded content cannot be played through Chromecast or AirPlay; offline TV playback on a television may require a supported device and appropriate adapter. The full rules are in Amazon’s download instructions.
Quick Recap
Is it worth installing?
- Install it if you want offline viewing on a Windows laptop or prefer a dedicated Prime Video interface.
- Use a browser if you only stream online, prefer not to install an app, or use a supported non-Windows computer.
- Look elsewhere for your viewing setup if your must-have is confirmed 4K or HDR on a PC, home-theater audio formats, or casting downloaded titles through Chromecast or AirPlay.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
