Confusion in the App Store
The Scenario
Millions of Mac users are probably confused on how the App Store detects already installed apps and marks them as “installed” in the App Store. They believe that because the App Store detects it, they will get updates from the App Store. This is not true. The App Store only updates apps in the “Purchases” tab. The App Store marks apps as installed so as to prevent you from accidentally repurchasing apps.
The Fix
Here’s how Apple should fix it. Only apps that you install via the App Store should have the “Installed” text instead of the Buy button. Simple. If the user attempts to download an app from the App Store that they already have on their computer, the App Store should ask them if they would like to repurchase the app from the App Store or to leave things as is.
