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'''Windows Store''' is an [[application store]] for [[Microsoft Windows]], starting with [[Windows 8]] and [[Windows Server 2012]]. The platform can be used to provide listings for desktop applications certified to run on Windows, but is also the primary distribution platform for a new type of [[mobile app]] called "Metro-style apps" (common name) or "Windows Store apps" (official name).
Free and paid applications can be distributed through Windows Store, with paid apps ranging in cost from US$1.49 to $999.99. Windows Store was first made available with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on February 29, 2012.<ref name="ars-windowsstore">{{cite web|last=Bright|first=Peter|title=Win 8 app store revealed: more money for devs, beta in late February|url=http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2011/12/win-8-app-store-revealed-more-money-for-devs-beta-in-late-february.ars |work=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |accessdate=December 6, 2011}}</ref>
As with other similar platforms, such as the [[Mac App Store]] and [[Google Play]], Windows Store is curated and apps must be certified for compatibility and content. Microsoft takes 30% of the sale price of Windows Store apps until the vendor's sales reach $25,000; from that point onward, the cut is reduced to 20%.
As of July 2014, there are over 168,000 apps available on the Windows Store.<ref>http://www.winbeta.org/news/168699-total-apps-windows-store-and-top-windows-81-apps-and-games-july-5th</ref> Games, Entertainment, Books and Reference, and Education are the largest categories by number of apps and the majority of the app developers have 1 app.<ref>{{cite web|title=AppFeds - Windows Store Stats| url=http://www.appfeds.com/catalog/stats/ |accessdate=March 2014}}</ref>
==History==
===Precursors===
Microsoft previously maintained a similar digital distribution system for software known as [[Windows Marketplace]], which allowed customers to purchase software online and download it to their computer. [[Product key]]s and licenses were tracked by the platform, allowing users to retrieve their purchases when switching computers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Adds Digital Locker To Windows Marketplace|url=http://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/192300509/microsoft-adds-digital-locker-to-windows-marketplace.htm|work=CRN|publisher=The Channel Company|accessdate=October 26, 2012|date=28 August 2006}}</ref> Windows Marketplace was discontinued in November 2008.<ref name=infoworld-whatweknow>{{cite web|last=Leonhard|first=Woody|title=What do we really know about Windows 8?|url=http://www.infoworld.com/t/windows/what-do-we-really-know-about-windows-8-277?page=0,1|work=[[InfoWorld]]|publisher=[[IDG]]|accessdate=October 26, 2012}}</ref>
===Windows 8===
Microsoft first announced a [[digital distribution]] service for Windows at its presentation during [[Build (conference)|Build]] on September 13, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/BUILD/BUILD2011/KEY-0001 |title=Keynote #1 | BUILD2011 | Channel 9 |publisher=[[Channel 9 (discussion forum)|Channel 9]] |date=September 13, 2011 |accessdate=October 14, 2012}}</ref> Further details announced during the conference revealed that the store would be able to hold listings for both certified traditional Windows applications, as well as what was called "Metro-style apps" at the time: Tightly [[Sandbox (computer security)|sandboxed]] software based on [[Metro (design language)|Microsoft design guidelines]] that are constantly monitored for quality and compliance. For consumers, Windows Store is intended to be the only way to obtain Metro-style apps.<ref name=verge-talkswin8>{{cite web|title=Microsoft talks Windows Store features, Metro app sandboxing for Windows 8 developers|url=http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/17/3026590/microsoft-windows-8-developers-windows-store-sandboxing|work=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|accessdate= September 8, 2012}}</ref><ref name=bi-windows8>{{cite web|last=Rosoff|first=Matt|title=Here's Everything You Wanted To Know About Microsoft's Upcoming iPad Killers|url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-02-09/tech/31040510_1_steven-sinofsky-pcs-microsoft-first|publisher=[[Business Insider]]|accessdate= February 10, 2012}}</ref> While announced alongside the "Developer Preview" release of Windows 8, the Windows Store itself was not yet available in a usable form until the "Consumer Preview", released in February 2012.<ref name=pcw-wdptonight>{{cite web|title=Windows 8 Developer Preview Available Tonight|url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2392860,00.asp|work=PC Magazine|accessdate=May 29, 2013}}</ref><ref name=pcw-13newfeatures>{{cite web|title=13 New Features in Windows 8 Consumer Preview|url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400967,00.asp|work=PC World|accessdate=August 21, 2013}}</ref>
Windows Store is not the only digital distribution service introduced with Windows 8; others include [[Xbox Music]] and [[Xbox Video]], which sell digital entertainment media instead of software.
===Windows 8.1===
An updated version of Windows Store was introduced in [[Windows 8.1]]. Its home page was remodeled to display apps in focused categories (such as popular, recommended, top free and paid, and special offers) with expanded details, while the ability for apps to automatically update was also added.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|title=In Blue: Windows Store 2.0|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-windows-store-20|work=Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows|publisher=[[Penton Media|Penton]]|accessdate=June 18, 2013|authorlink=Paul Thurrott|date=June 17, 2013}}</ref> Windows 8.1 Update also introduced other notable presentation changes, including increasing the top app lists to return 1000 apps instead of 100 apps, a 'picks for you' section, and changing the default sorting for reviews to be by 'most popular'.
===Windows Server===
Windows Store is available in [[Windows Server 2012]] but is not installed by default.<ref>{{cite web|title=Managing Privacy: Windows Store and Resulting Internet Communication|url=http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj884083.aspx|work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|accessdate=30 January 2014}}</ref>
==Details==
Windows Store is the primary means of distributing Windows Store apps to users; the official reason is to allow Microsoft to scan apps for security flaws and [[malware]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Tom|first=Warren|title=Microsoft details and demos the Windows Store for Windows 8|url=http://www.winrumors.com/microsoft-details-and-demos-the-windows-store-for-windows-8-video/|website=Winrumors.com|accessdate=September 19, 2011}}</ref>{{Verify credibility|date=December 2013}} Although [[sideloading]] apps from outside the store is supported, not all computers running Windows 8 can do it. Out-of-box sideloading support is only available for [[Windows 8 editions|Windows 8 Enterprise]] computers that have joined a [[Windows domain]]. Sideloading on Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro computers as well as Windows 8 Enterprise computers without a domain affiliation requires purchase of additional licenses through Microsoft [[volume licensing]] outlet.<ref name=installapps>{{cite web |title=How to Add and Remove Apps |url=http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh852635.aspx |work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] |publisher=Microsoft |date=31 May 2012 |accessdate=4 October 2012 |quote=To enable sideloading on a Windows 8 Enterprise computer that is not domain-joined or on any Windows® 8 Pro computer, you must use a sideloading product activation key. To enable sideloading on a Windows® RT device, you must use a sideloading product activation key. For more information about sideloading product activation keys, see Microsoft Volume Licensing.}}</ref>
Microsoft takes a 30% cut of application sales until it reaches $25,000 USD in revenue, after which the cut drops to 20%. Third-party transactions are also allowed, of which Microsoft does not take a cut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsstore/archive/2012/07/20/making-money-with-your-apps-through-the-windows-store.aspx |title=Making money with your apps through the Windows Store |work=Windows Store for developers |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=July 20, 2012 |accessdate=October 14, 2012}}</ref> Individual developers are able to register for $19 USD and companies for $99 USD.<ref>{{cite web |title=Unifying Developer Registration |url=http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/appbuilder/archive/2013/11/06/unifying-developer-registration-windows-and-windows-phone.aspx |website=Windows App Builder Blog |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |first=Todd |last=Brix |date=6 November 2013}}</ref>
Developers from 120 countries can submit applications to Windows Store.<ref>{{cite news|first=Alex |last=Wilhelm | url=http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2012/09/11/the-windows-store-now-accepting-open-app-submissions-developers-120-countries/ |title=The Windows Store is now accepting open app submissions from developers in 120 countries |work=[[The Next Web]] |publisher=The Next Web Inc |date=September 11, 2012 |accessdate=January 9, 2013}}</ref> The application now can support any of 109 languages, as long as it supports one of 12 application certification languages.<ref>{{cite news|first=Terrence |last=O'Brien |url=http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/windows-store-slowly-going-global/ |title=Windows Store slowly going global, 26 country specific markets launching with next update |work=[[Engadget]] |publisher=AOL |date=April 18, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Antoine |last=Leblond |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsstore/archive/2012/04/18/windows-store-expanding-to-new-markets.aspx |title=Windows Store expanding to new markets |work=Windows Store for developers |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=April 18, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kerr |first=Dara |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57416115-93/microsofts-windows-store-goes-global-with-33-more-countries/ |title=Microsoft's Windows Store goes global with 33 more countries |work=[[CNET News]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=April 18, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2012}}</ref>
==Guidelines==
Similarly to [[Windows Phone Store]], Windows Store is regulated by Microsoft. Applicants must obtain Microsoft's approval before their application becomes available on the store. Prohibited apps include those that:<ref name="Certification requirements for Windows apps">{{cite web|url= http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh694083.aspx|title= Certification requirements for Windows apps|date=January 6, 2012}}</ref>
# Contain any adult content (i.e. content warranting the [[ESRB]]'s "Adults Only" rating, or equivalents)
# Advocate discrimination, hatred or violence based on membership in a particular racial, ethnic, national, linguistic, religious, or other social group, or based on a person’s gender, age, or sexual orientation
# Contain content or functionality that encourages, facilitates or glamorizes illegal activity
# Contain or display content that a reasonable person would consider to be obscene
# Are defamatory, libelous or slanderous, or threatening
# Encourage, facilitate or glamorize excessive or irresponsible use of alcohol or tobacco products, drugs or weapons
# Encourage, facilitate or glamorize extreme or gratuitous violence, human rights violations or the creation or use of weapons against a person or animal in the real world
# Contain excessive or gratuitous profanity
Microsoft has indicated that it does have the ability to remotely [[Kill switch|disable and/or remove apps]] from users' systems for security or legal reasons; in the case of paid apps, refunds may be issued if this were to occur.<ref name=cw-remotedisable>{{cite web|title=Microsoft: We can remotely delete Windows 8 apps |url=http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9222518/Microsoft_We_can_remotely_delete_Windows_8_apps |work=[[Computerworld]] |accessdate=October 8, 2013 |first=Gregg |last=Keizer |publisher=[[IDG]]}}</ref>
The company initially faced criticism for incorrectly banning [[PEGI]] "18"-rated content from Windows Store in Europe, as critics noted that a number of "18"-rated games were rated "Mature" by ESRB (making the rule stricter than intended). The guidelines were amended in December 2012 to correct this abnormality.<ref name=cnet-nopegi18>{{cite web |title=Microsoft reverses 'Mature' games ban in Euro Windows Store |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57540791-75/microsoft-reverses-mature-games-ban-in-euro-windows-store/ |work=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=October 26, 2012 |first=Dara |last=Kerr |date=October 25, 2012}}</ref>
==Developer Portal==
In addition to the user facing Windows Store client, the store also has a developer portal in which developers can interact with. The Windows developer portal has the following section breakdowns:
* App Summary - An overview page of a given app, which includes a downloads chart, quality chart, finance summary, and a sales chart.
* App Adoption - A page which shows adoption of the app, including conversions, referrers, and downloads.
* App Ratings - A ratings breakdown, as well as the ability to filter reviews by a region.
* App Quality - An overview page showcasing exceptions that have occurred in the app.
* App Finance - A page where a developer can download all transactions of their app.
==Developer tools==
Windows Store provides developer tools for tracking apps in the store. One can track downloads, financials, crashes, adoption and ratings.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh967767.aspx|title= Using the Windows Store Dashboard apps|date=May 17, 2013}}</ref>
The dashboard also presents a detailed breakdown on users by market, age, and region, as well as charts on number of downloads, purchases, and average time spent in an app. The dashboard also allows a developer to claim an application name for up to 1 year before the name is returned to the available pool.
==See also==
* [[Pokki]]
* [[Allmyapps]]
* [[List of Microsoft software applications]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
* [http://www.windowsstore.com/ Windows Store website]
* [http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps Developer's center]
* [http://www.thewindowsapps.com/ Windows App Reviews website]
* [http://www.appfeds.com/ Windows Store App Analytics - AppFeds]
{{Microsoft Windows components}}
{{Package management systems}}
{{Digital distribution platforms}}
<!--- Categories --->
[[Category:Windows components]]
[[Category:Software distribution platforms]]
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