Sudoku

Sudoku: leave Microsoft Store for a desktop client

By Cell Quill editorial team Current release, published June 22, 2026

Fresh Master-difficulty sudoku puzzle with row, column, and box highlighting.
Clean Master-difficulty sudoku grid with row, column, and box highlighting before the first fill. Sudoku C++ resources/screenshots from darkstar79/sudoku (GPL-3.0).

Moving a sudoku habit from Microsoft Store Sudoku to a local client means a new local Qt Qt window. Install from GitHub Releases, prove one game, and keep the Store app only if achievements still matter.

Store scores, Store cloud saves, and in-app purchases do not transfer into the client. You start fresh on one of five difficulties, or a custom puzzle.

What transfers

Skill and muscle memory transfer. High scores and achievements do not. Treat the switch as a new local desk habit, not a save import.

  • No portable save format mapped in RESEARCH.md
  • No account required in the client
  • Custom fields replace Store difficulty presets you liked

Install the new client

Prefer Sudoku-*-win64.exe on Windows. macOS and Linux use the source build or AppImage on the same tag. Home: home. Windows guide: Windows.

First hour on the client

Pick easy, clear a board, try Options for difficulty. Then attempt a custom puzzle. Checklist: installed. First run: first run.

Keep or remove the Store app

Keep Microsoft Sudoku if you still want achievements. Remove it only after the client feels natural for a week. Comparison: vs Microsoft Sudoku.

Avoid dual-download confusion

Do not download the client from a portal that ranks for local play. Prefer Releases. Safe path: download safe.

Family PCs

Explain that pencil marks and numbers look familiar, while Store badges stay in the Store app. Write the update door on the ticket so the next bump uses the same zip name.

Browser habit cleanup

If the desk also used browser sudoku tabs, close those after the client proves one game. Browser boards remain a travel fallback when install rights are missing.

Cell Quill maps the switch. Upstream the client is GPL-3.0. Microsoft branding stays with Microsoft; this guide does not clone Store art.

Shared desk checklist

  • One GitHub Releases URL on the ticket
  • One Qt6 asset name for this OS
  • One proven easy game after every reimage

Return to darkstar79/sudoku Releases when SmartScreen or Gatekeeper interrupts. Do not accept a second portal.

Lab and travel notes

Shared labs should treat the filename as part of the machine image. After every reimage, open GitHub Releases again, confirm the Qt6 asset still exists on the tag you pinned, and prove one short local game.

Travel laptops benefit from the same boring checklist: one installer door, one extract or Applications path, one note for the next bump.

  • Family PCs may keep Store Sudoku beside the client
  • Command-line users may add Flatpak after Releases works once
  • Document UNVERIFIED where a package command was not run here

Cell Quill publishes independent install guidance. Upstream the client remains GPL-3.0 at darkstar79/sudoku. Prefer phrase-first puzzle language in titles.

When assets change

When a release drops an OS asset, pause imaging work and re-check the live list. Prefer the next tag that restores your primary filename rather than inventing a new download brand.

Keyboard play, dark difficulties, and custom puzzles are comfort settings. They come after a proven game on easy. First-hour checklists exist so desks do not chase Options menus too early.

Filename discipline

Write the exact the client asset name beside the OS version before you image a lab. Prefer Qt6 when the tag ships both series so Windows zip desks match macOS source tree and Linux AppImage desks.

  • Sudoku-*-win64.exe on Windows
  • (no macOS release installer) on Apple silicon
  • Sudoku-*-x86_64.AppImage on Linux

No winget id and no Homebrew cask were found on this review date. Flatpak remain UNVERIFIED alternates documented upstream. Prefer Releases first.

After the first proven game

Only after one easy game works should you open Options for difficulties or try a custom puzzle. First hour: installed. First run: first run. Pencil marks: keyboard and difficulties.

Keep Microsoft Sudoku only if achievements still matter. Switch notes: switch. Comparison: vs Microsoft Sudoku. Safe download: download safe.

Cell Quill maps filenames. Upstream the client remains GPL-3.0 at darkstar79/sudoku. Refuse Softonic-style mirrors even when a first launch is blocked.

Refuse renamed portals

If a site renames a puzzle setup for a search ranking, stop. Match the filename on GitHub Releases for darkstar79/sudoku instead. Home install panel: home. Releases map: releases.

  • Type the GitHub URL yourself
  • Confirm the tag still lists your Qt6 asset
  • Prove one easy game before difficulties