Getting Started with Publishing UWP Apps

This guide will walk you through the essential steps and considerations for publishing your Universal Windows Platform (UWP) applications to the Microsoft Store.

1. Prepare Your App for Submission

Before you can submit your app, ensure it meets all the necessary requirements. This includes:

App Functionality: Your app should perform as expected without critical bugs or crashes.
User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX): Ensure your app adheres to Windows design principles and provides a smooth, intuitive experience.
Privacy Policy: All apps must have a clearly stated privacy policy accessible to users.
Compliance: Verify your app complies with the Microsoft Store Policies.

You can test your app's compliance using the Windows App Certification Kit.

2. Create a Publisher Account

To publish apps, you need a developer account with the Microsoft Store. If you don't have one, you'll need to create one and pay the one-time registration fee.

Visit the Microsoft Partner Center to create or manage your account.

Create a Publisher Account

3. Package Your Application

UWP apps are distributed as packages. You can generate these packages using Visual Studio.

Open your UWP project in Visual Studio.
Navigate to Project > Publish > Create App Packages...
Follow the on-screen prompts to select the package types and configurations.

You will typically generate packages for manual submission or for direct upload to the Partner Center.


// Example: Visual Studio command for package creation (conceptual)
// File > Publish > Create App Packages...

4. Submit Your App to the Microsoft Store

Once your app is packaged, you can submit it through the Microsoft Partner Center.

Log in to the Microsoft Partner Center.
Navigate to the Overview section and click Create a new product.
Select App and choose the type of app (e.g., UWP).
Fill in all the required details, including app name, description, categories, pricing, and availability.
Upload your app package files.
Provide screenshots, promotional images, and the necessary compliance information.
Submit your app for review.

Go to Partner Center

Important Note: The app review process can take some time. Be patient and monitor the status of your submission in the Partner Center. Address any feedback provided by the reviewers promptly.

5. Manage Your App and Updates

After your app is published, you can use the Partner Center to:

Track sales and analytics.
Manage app listings and details.
Submit updates and new versions.
Respond to customer reviews.

Regularly checking your app's performance and user feedback is crucial for its success.