Windows SDK

Windows SDK is needed for MSIX packaging. Windows 11 SDK includes Windows Performance Toolkit, Application Verifier for Windows and Debugging Tools for Windows.

Microsoft Store Policies

Microsoft Store (Windows Store) has policies on Product and Content, which developers must abide by.

There are a few rules around IAP - short for "in app purchases".

The IARC and Windows Software

The IARC is the International Age Rating Coalition, a global initiative to streamline age ratings for games and applications. Over 19m games and apps have so far been published using IARC. Developers must abide by the IARC Terms of Use.

Uploading App Packages to the Windows Store

There are a bunch of rules to follow when uploading packages to the Windows Store.

One hard requirement is a "Package URL" which is a versioned, secure URL pointing to the app package (MSI/EXE) hosted on your CDN.

An example could be https://windowscottoneyejoe/downloads/1.1/setup.exe

When a customer installs a package, the Store downloads the package from the URL. Good CDN practices should be followed - to ensure the URL is performant, reliable and available in your relevant target markets.

(Sidebar - Google have some great recommendations on CDN best practices (they also have their own commercial CDN products known as Cloud CDN and Media CDN, other vendors offer CDN services too, including CloudFlare).

Note: as your application versions evolve, you may need to update the package URL. This is done by using the Update submission option in Partner Center to specify the new package URL.

Windows Store Apps - Pricing

If you are a Windows Store developer, you have a few pricing options: Free, Freemium (optional in-app purchases, Subscription or Paid (one time payment).

Why Python From Windows Store is Flawed

Installing Python from the Windows Store is flawed as everything goes into AppData\Local.  This is a local directory associated with the logged in user C:\Users\<Name>\AppData\Local.

This is a way to sidestep a "proper installation" in C:\Program Files which requires administrator privileges. It's a way to overcome potential UAC restrictions.

Once installed - there is no proper way to uninstall. You need to get into the AppData directory (which is hidden in File Explorer). Once opened, you can navigate to Microsoft\WindowsStore to find python and related exe files (e.g. pip.exe).  Then do a clean of the registry.

You may also find Python subdirectories in the WindowsStore directory.

While cleaning out registry entries you may come across references to .whl files (or Python Wheels).

"Something happened and we couldn't start the upgrade" - Windows Store

This can happen when upgrading to Windows 10 Pro. You may need to download and install from ISO image.

wsreset.exe

This resets the Windows Store Cache. Something to try if experiencing Windows Store errors.

What is Contained in .NET for Windows Store Apps?

When crafting a C# application for the Windows Store, you will see a reference to ,NET for Windows Store apps automagically added to your Project References. A quick dip in the Object Browser will show the new namespaces that proudly make up the new prefab units for Windows Store. Sample namespaces are shown below:

Microsoft.Advertising.Mobile
Microsoft.Devices.Sensors
Microsoft.Phone
Microsoft.Phone.Maps
Microsoft.Phone.Reactive
Microsoft.Xna.Framework
System.Numerics
System.Runtime.Numerics
System.Net.Http.Rtc

Building Apps for Windows Store and Windows Phone

All you need is here. A recommended configuration is Windows 8.1 with Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2013.