Microsoft announced Wednesday that it has begun clamping down on sham Windows Store apps that try to dupe users into paying for free software.

“Most of the developers behind apps that are found to violate our policies have good intentions and agree to make the necessary changes when notified,” said Todd Brix, general manager for the Windows Store, in a blog post yesterday. “Others have been less receptive, causing us to remove more than 1,500 apps as part of this review so far.”

The Windows Store is the official source of Windows 8’s (and 8.1’s) “Modern” (née “Metro”) apps — the touch-based programs designed for tablets and touch-enabled notebooks.

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