Desktop application publishing to Microsoft Store

Publishing Desktop Applications to Microsoft Store

Microsoft Store supports several application formats: traditional Win32/WPF, UWP, and packaged MSIX applications. Electron and other frameworks are published via MSIX — this allows entering the Store without rewriting to WinRT.

Publication formats

Creating MSIX from Electron application

electron-builder can build MSIX directly:

# electron-builder.yml
win:
  target:
    - target: nsis
    - target: msix
  icon: build/icon.ico

msix:
  applicationId:  com.company.AppName
  backgroundColor: "#transparent"
  displayName:    "App Name"
  publisherDisplayName: "Company Name"
  identityName:  "CompanyName.AppName"

npx electron-builder --win msix

For publication to the Store, you need a certificate from a Trusted CA (DigiCert, GlobalSign) or a certificate from Partner Center. Self-signed certificate will not work.

Partner Center registration

1. Register developer account — $19 one-time (individual) or $99 (company)
2. Create new application: Partner Center → Apps → New product
3. Reserve application name
4. Fill in metadata: description, screenshots (minimum 3, resolution from 1366×768), category, age rating

Package requirements

# Check package before upload
# Windows App Certification Kit (WACK)
& "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\App Certification Kit\appcert.exe" `
  test -apppackagepath .\AppName.msix -reportoutputpath .\report.xml

# Or via PowerShell
Get-AppxPackage -Name "CompanyName.AppName"

WACK checks: presence of valid manifest, absence of prohibited APIs, correct icons (mandatory sizes 44×44, 150×150, 310×310 in PNG).

AppxManifest.xml

electron-builder generates manifest automatically, but sometimes manual edits are needed:

<Package xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10"
         xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
         xmlns:rescap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10/restrictedcapabilities">

  <Identity Name="CompanyName.AppName"
            Publisher="CN=Company Name, O=Company Name, C=US"
            Version="1.0.0.0" />

  <Properties>
    <DisplayName>App Name</DisplayName>
    <PublisherDisplayName>Company Name</PublisherDisplayName>
    <Logo>assets\StoreLogo.png</Logo>
  </Properties>

  <Capabilities>
    <rescap:Capability Name="runFullTrust" />  <!-- For Win32 applications -->
    <Capability Name="internetClient" />
  </Capabilities>

  <Applications>
    <Application Id="App" Executable="AppName.exe" EntryPoint="Windows.FullTrustApplication">
      <uap:VisualElements DisplayName="App Name"
                          Description="App description"
                          BackgroundColor="transparent"
                          Square150x150Logo="assets\Square150x150Logo.png"
                          Square44x44Logo="assets\Square44x44Logo.png">
      </uap:VisualElements>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

GitHub Actions for automatic publication

- name: Build MSIX
  run: npx electron-builder --win msix
  env:
    CSC_LINK:         ${{ secrets.WIN_CERTIFICATE }}
    CSC_KEY_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.WIN_CERTIFICATE_PWD }}

- name: Upload to Partner Center
  uses: microsoft/store-submission-action@v1
  with:
    seller-id:      ${{ secrets.MS_SELLER_ID }}
    product-id:     ${{ secrets.MS_PRODUCT_ID }}
    package-path:   dist/AppName.msix
    tenant-id:      ${{ secrets.MS_TENANT_ID }}
    client-id:      ${{ secrets.MS_CLIENT_ID }}
    client-secret:  ${{ secrets.MS_CLIENT_SECRET }}

Publication goes through Microsoft moderation (usually 1–3 business days). Updates proceed faster than first publication.

Timeline

Preparation of MSIX, passing WACK, and first publication to Microsoft Store: 3–5 business days.