Developers can now publish Win32 apps to the Windows Store

When Microsoft launched the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, the company introduced a tonne of updates for the Universal Windows Platform. One of the most notable new features in the Anniversary Update includes the new Desktop App Converter, which basically allows developers to bring their classic Win32 apps to the Windows Store. The  Windows 10 Anniversary Update has been out for more than a month now, but Microsoft didn’t allow all developers to publish their Win32 apps on the Windows Store initially. Today, the company is finally opening up Win32 app submissions on the Store for all developers.

This means, if you have developed any Win32 app in the past, you can easily publish it to the Windows Store using the Desktop App Converter. This will allow you to use some of the Universal Windows Platform’s features such as Live Tiles, Cortana, or the Action Centre which is pretty neat. Additionally, this also makes it much easier to deliver app updates since you’ll be able to release app updates via the Windows Store. Lastly, you’ll also be able to get feedback from your users via Windows Store App Reviews, which can be quite useful. In case you are wondering, your Win32 app from the Windows Store will work and look just like the actual Win32 app.

Microsoft has also announced that Evernote, Arduino IDE, Double Twist, PhotoScape, MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, Virtual Robotics Kit, Relab, SQL Pro, Voya Media, Predicted Desire, korAccount, as well as some other Win32 apps will be available via the Windows Store shortly. In fact, the Evernote app is already available for download on the Windows Store.

It is worth noting that Microsoft is also teaming up with Flexera Software (InstallSheild), FireGiant (WiX) and Caphyon (Advanced Installer) to add support for the Desktop App Converter to their Windows Installer technologies. According to Microsoft, these are three of the most popular Windows Installer technologies. Desktop App Converter integration in these three installers will allow developers to easily make the app packages for their Win32 apps which they can submit to the Windows Store, and it’ll also fit into their workflow if they are already using the installers for their apps. Microsoft’s Kevin Gallo stated:

“We’re happy to announce that today we have made the Desktop App Converter available for download directly from the Windows Store. This will enable updates of the Desktop App Converter with the latest features and bug-fixes to automatically be available to you as soon as we release them. Finally, we are expanding the ways in which developers can create apps using the Desktop Bridge. Our partners, Flexera Software with InstallShield, FireGiant with WiX and Caphyon with Advanced Installer; three of the most popular Windows installer technologies, have included support for the Desktop Bridge, enabling developers to directly build an app package with their existing desktop app using the bridge as part of their existing developer workflow.”

If you are a Windows Developer, you can submit your Win32 app to the Windows Store right now – head over to this link to get started.