Leaked tool lets you download Windows Phone apps on a PC

Something that many Windows Phone users have been asking for is a little flexibility with how apps are downloaded and installed. One particular request is the ability to download apps using a PC rather than with a handset. A new tool leaked by a Microsoft employee makes this possible.

The appropriately-named Windows Phone Assistant is an official Microsoft tool that has been used internally. Nawzil released the software in response to a series of requests from people, granting greater control over apps. The leaked tool is available for anyone to download -- you just need to be running Windows Phone 8.1 GDR 2.

Nawzil says that the app will be of interest to a lot of people, including those who struggle with a slow internet connection. However, he warns that the limited number of phones that were eligible for the GDR 2 update means not everyone will be able to make use of it -- the very reason Microsoft didn’t bother to release it publicly. The availability of the tool was announced on Twitter:

#WindowsPhoneAssistant - Download WP apps on PC and install them on Phone. Requires WP8.1 Update 2 (GDR2). http://t.co/45PyQfOb9a

— Nawzil (@Nawzil10) July 8, 2015

If you are lucky enough to have a handset that's running the relevant version of Windows Phone, you, can Download Windows Phone Assistant Direct from Nawzil's website.

(and in case you were wondering, Microsoft has been told about the leak)