But the jury remains out on Microsoft's long-term chances of winning its unprecedented bet on Windows 8 and the spin-off, Windows RT.

"This gives them a shot at success," said Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst with Moor Insights & Strategy, in an interview. "It's a positive first showing, but they must have consistent singles, doubles, triples and home runs."

Moorhead was one of the analysts who spoke out most persistently about the criticality of the Windows Store and its apps to the success of Windows 8 overall, but more importantly, to Windows RT, the offspring designed for tablets. He repeatedly predicted that Microsoft had to have at least in the Windows Store at launch to have a shot at selling Windows RT, and thus the devices it powers, to consumers this year.

The reached retail last Friday.

According to Wes Miller, an analyst at Directions on Microsoft, the Windows Store had just over 9,000 apps as of Oct. 26, . Miller has been tracking the number of apps in the Windows Store since mid-August, and posts results to his website weekly.