Microsoft bans and removes emulators from Windows Store

Consumers with Microsoft devices will be unable to download and use emulators from the Windows Store thanks to efforts to clamp down on games piracy.

Microsoft previously announced it would be changing the Windows Store policies in order to block all emulation of video game systems, but has now begun removing software such as Univeral Emulator (formerly known as NESBox) from the marketplace.

MSPoweruser reports that this will apply to all Microsoft platforms, meaning mobile and Xbox users will also be unable to access such software via the Windows Store. The site also notes that PC emulators such as DOSBox or VMware seem to be unaffected, but "there doesn't seem to be any relevant app in the Windows Store to serve as proof of this".

Universal Emulator's Twitter account confirms the product has been removed. The emulator was also previously denied an Xbox release.

Software such as this is usually used to play old video games on new devices. A quick search for Univeral Emulator online leads to guide to getting Nintendo titles such as Super Mario Bros up and running on a Windows mobile device or Xbox One. Microsoft's steps to ban emulators will help prevent such piracy - as least on the Windows family of devices.