Now ready for you: Windows 8.1 and the Windows Store

With today’s announcement of Windows 8.1 and Visual Studio 2013 availability, we’re also excited to announce that the Windows Store is now open for submitting apps targeting Windows 8.1.


Publishing your apps to the Windows Store for Windows 8.1

For those of you who started working on your app with our Preview versions, you’ll first need to update your Preview environment to today’s release versions of Windows 8.1 and Visual Studio 2013. Packages built on prerelease versions won’t be accepted into the Store. For apps written in HTML/JavaScript, check out our recent blog post with more specifics to help you target the release build of Windows 8.1.

If you already have an app in the Store for Windows 8 users, you’ll want to check out our info on retargeting your app. You can import your existing project into Visual Studio and make changes as needed to take advantage of the new features in Windows 8.1. After you’ve finished building, it’s easy to add your Windows 8.1 packages to your current app so that customers who’ve upgraded to Windows 8.1 see the latest version of your app. (Of course, you can also continue to update your Windows 8 apps as needed.)

For those new to the platform, take a look around the Windows Dev Center for all the resources you need to get started. You can learn what Windows Store apps are all about and get up to speed on the basics of app development. We even have content that’s specifically written to help you ramp up quickly if you’re already familiar with building apps for iOS or building apps for Android.


Recapping Windows 8.1 platform improvements

We started talking about many of the Windows 8.1 platform features back in late June at our Build conference. Here are just a few of the new platform features and benefits that will help you build better apps and drive deeper engagement with your customers.

  • Overall platform performance improvements to our supported programming languages (C#, C++, JavaScript, or VB) and presentation technologies (XAML, HTML, or DirectX)
  • Improvements to the XAML and HTML controls, and new Hub and WebView controls
  • Tiles on the Start screen now support two additional sizes, bringing the total up to four
  • More powerful multitasking capabilities, with more than two apps onscreen at the same time; a single app can also use multiple windows
  • Improvements to DirectX, as you may have read about earlier this week

We’ve also made improvements to the Windows Store to better connect your apps with customers and drive greater monetization.

  • All new Store layout providing better discovery and richer experience
  • Integration of Bing technologies to make recommendations more relevant
  • App packages can now be up to 8 gigabytes (great for visually rich apps and games)
  • App bundles optimize the distribution of Windows Store app resource packages to global customers
  • Windows Store support for in-app consumables and larger catalogs on in-app offers
  • Windows Store gift cards will launch this holiday to support purchases without credit cards
  • Windows Store apps now auto-update by default, so your customers will always be on the latest and greatest version of your app

As always, we have great free tools for you to work with. The new Visual Studio 2013 Express brings many new benefits to developing Windows Store apps, like improved UI test support, responsiveness testing, improved IntelliSense, new design capabilities including better support for CSS and JavaScript, as well as connecting to our free cloud offerings like Azure Mobile Services.

Windows 8.1 offers developers far more new functionality and opportunities than can be summed up in this blog post. We have lots more information on our Windows Dev Center and in our Windows 8.1 Product Guide for App Builders. We also have some great videos you can watch, like this interview with Joe Stegman, Group Program Manager for the UI platform.

As your customers start installing their free update to Windows 8.1, there’s no better time to update your app. We hope you’re as excited as we are about Windows 8.1 and Visual Studio 2013. Download the tools today and have fun building!

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Shawn do you know what will happen if the download is interrupted by a shut down ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32 bit/ Windows 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Zoostorm/ Asus K55A Notebook
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2400 MHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn 45CMX/45GMX/45CMX-K
    Memory
    2048 MB (2 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM)/8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Corp 82945G Integrated Graphics Controller
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hanns.G HH221 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    ExcelStor (250GB)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (UK)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Just under 4MB download it's ADSL.
    Other Info
    Epson Stylus SX415 All-in-one Printer,
    Seagate Expansion 500GB External Desktop Drive
Hello Joan,

You should be able to go back to the Store and start over with the download of the update without issue. If you're lucky, it may pick up where you left off. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
i am not all thrilled with 8.1, i still would have liked a real start menu but i installed startisback for 8.1 since i own it
And if you do not have a touch screen like I do on all my pcs except for my tablet, you do not really appreciated the changes.
btw for those who have startisback you need to uninstall the version you have for windows 8, and pick up the version for 8.1. It will keep the liscense info so you do not have to install it again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    4 Windows 7 Pro Sp1- 4 Win 8 Pro, 1- xp pro sp3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 390, 380, 3 Vostro Laptops (7 computers in all)
    CPU
    desktop/laptop
    Memory
    4gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    atm randioum
    Hard Drives
    350,250
Upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Centre was slow, but eventually completed OK. I'd left it downloading overnight, and when I came back to the computer, it complained that it was unable to complete. I went back into the store and restarted the process - it picked up from where it had stopped.
I use Vipre Internet Security 2014 - their firewall was disabled after installing W8.1 Pro. They responded very quickly with advice to un-install Vipre, including all Vipre data files (an option on the uninstall window), restart, download and install a new version of Vipre. All happy now.
I downloaded the new version of Vipre (really a downloader) prior to un-installing the old.
No other issues have shown up yet. Office 2013 hasn't asked for re-activation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 PRO with Media Centre Upgrade x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel i5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77-V
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GeForce 650Ti+ Gigabyte GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Elite
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung SMS24A50 / 1 x SamsungXL20
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 1920 x 1200 / 1 x 1600 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    Intel SSD 240GB;
    Hitachi HDS721010DLE630
    Seagate ST31000524AS 1 TB
    Samsung HD103SJ (1TB)
    Crucial 128GB m4 SSD
    PSU
    Corsair 600W
    Case
    CoolerMaster Storm
    Cooling
    Air - Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft 7000
    Mouse
    Microsoft 7000
    Internet Speed
    Very variable !
    Browser
    FF, Chrome, IE
    Antivirus
    Vipre Internet Security
Just for information, I started the download about three hours ago and so far, have only received 28% of the download. Probably due to millions of people doing the same thing? Something else? My internet is not particularly slow and I have never experienced this to this degree before. Making me wish I had waited a couple of days. Anyone else experiencing similar results?

Seattlerust
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows 8.1
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
Did Windows store upgrade (more like downgrade) on test laptop from windows 8 pro to windows 8.1pro.. update went OK, it was quite fast.
But I'm disappointed Windows 8.1 is not better if you're desktop user. It's only worse.
Things I don't like.
  • You are forced to login with MS account when upgrading. (of course later you can convert to offline/local account, but I did not find option when upgrading)
  • Skydrive desktop sync application stopped working you're forced to use metro one but you can't use it if you're using local account. (this is just stupid)
  • some other cosmetic changes like hiding libraries renaming Computer to this PC.. (this pc that pc :) I don't get it why change that, its small things but it changes work flow for example when you tell someone to go to computer to open disk etc. etc. now its this pc)
there may be more problems but I still haven't spent much time with 8.1 so I haven't noticed it.
I can't comment on new start screen because as soon as windows was upgraded I installed startisback+ start menu.
Tested new start screen on preview and did not liked it.. well it's some improvement over windows 8 start screen but still I dont want It on my standard keyboard, mouse pc. on tablet maybe

I have SSD on that laptop and I did not see any speed increase over windows 8.

In the end I decided not to upgrade my main home PC from windows 8 to 8.1 for some time.. I'll wait until some problems get resolved or good work around is found.. I really don't like that I can't sync skydrive if I use local account.



i am not all thrilled with 8.1, i still would have liked a real start menu but i installed startisback for 8.1 since i own it
And if you do not have a touch screen like I do on all my pcs except for my tablet, you do not really appreciated the changes.
btw for those who have startisback you need to uninstall the version you have for windows 8, and pick up the version for 8.1. It will keep the liscense info so you do not have to install it again.

Not true.
If your version is 2.0 or later you can just upgrade and then install startisback+ (version for windows 8.1) on top no problem tested it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 uiltimate, Windows 8.1 pro 64bit, Windows server 2008R2, Windows 10 TP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Just for information, I started the download about three hours ago and so far, have only received 28% of the download. Probably due to millions of people doing the same thing? Something else? My internet is not particularly slow and I have never experienced this to this degree before. Making me wish I had waited a couple of days. Anyone else experiencing similar results?

Seattlerust
i have a very fast internet and it took 1 hour to download it from the store, yes their servers are bogged down, installation took faster than the download
that was one machine
i did it later in the evening around 7 pm on another pc and it took 3 hours just to download it from the store, a half hr to install
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    4 Windows 7 Pro Sp1- 4 Win 8 Pro, 1- xp pro sp3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 390, 380, 3 Vostro Laptops (7 computers in all)
    CPU
    desktop/laptop
    Memory
    4gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    atm randioum
    Hard Drives
    350,250
Did Windows store upgrade (more like downgrade) on test laptop from windows 8 pro to windows 8.1pro.. update went OK, it was quite fast.
But I'm disappointed Windows 8.1 is not better if you're desktop user. It's only worse.
Things I don't like.
  • You are forced to login with MS account when upgrading. (of course later you can convert to offline/local account, but I did not find option when upgrading)
  • Skydrive desktop sync application stopped working you're forced to use metro one but you can't use it if you're using local account. (this is just stupid)
  • some other cosmetic changes like hiding libraries renaming Computer to this PC.. (this pc that pc :) I don't get it why change that, its small things but it changes work flow for example when you tell someone to go to computer to open disk etc. etc. now its this pc)
there may be more problems but I still haven't spent much time with 8.1 so I haven't noticed it.
I can't comment on new start screen because as soon as windows was upgraded I installed startisback+ start menu.
Tested new start screen on preview and did not liked it.. well it's some improvement over windows 8 start screen but still I dont want It on my standard keyboard, mouse pc. on tablet maybe

I have SSD on that laptop and I did not see any speed increase over windows 8.

In the end I decided not to upgrade my main home PC from windows 8 to 8.1 for some time.. I'll wait until some problems get resolved or good work around is found.. I really don't like that I can't sync skydrive if I use local account.



i am not all thrilled with 8.1, i still would have liked a real start menu but i installed startisback for 8.1 since i own it
And if you do not have a touch screen like I do on all my pcs except for my tablet, you do not really appreciated the changes.
btw for those who have startisback you need to uninstall the version you have for windows 8, and pick up the version for 8.1. It will keep the liscense info so you do not have to install it again.

Not true.
If your version is 2.0 or later you can just upgrade and then install startisback+ (version for windows 8.1) on top no problem tested it.


User pokki a lot better. Pokki - Download Free Desktop Apps and Games

in regards to the earlier poster you wont see much of a difference with ssd boot up times going from 8 to 8.1 you will from 7 tho. it all depends tho i mean if you want optimal preformance if your bios supports it, setup the drive with EFI and in the bios and format a EFI setup and select ultra fast or fast. in bios for boot up.

As far as the whole microsoft account stuff. easy by pass just disconnect from network and then proceed by going back
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro x64
Did Windows store upgrade (more like downgrade) on test laptop from windows 8 pro to windows 8.1pro.. update went OK, it was quite fast.
But I'm disappointed Windows 8.1 is not better if you're desktop user. It's only worse.
Things I don't like.
  • You are forced to login with MS account when upgrading. (of course later you can convert to offline/local account, but I did not find option when upgrading)
  • Skydrive desktop sync application stopped working you're forced to use metro one but you can't use it if you're using local account. (this is just stupid)
  • some other cosmetic changes like hiding libraries renaming Computer to this PC.. (this pc that pc :) I don't get it why change that, its small things but it changes work flow for example when you tell someone to go to computer to open disk etc. etc. now its this pc)
there may be more problems but I still haven't spent much time with 8.1 so I haven't noticed it.
I can't comment on new start screen because as soon as windows was upgraded I installed startisback+ start menu.
Tested new start screen on preview and did not liked it.. well it's some improvement over windows 8 start screen but still I dont want It on my standard keyboard, mouse pc. on tablet maybe

I have SSD on that laptop and I did not see any speed increase over windows 8.

In the end I decided not to upgrade my main home PC from windows 8 to 8.1 for some time.. I'll wait until some problems get resolved or good work around is found.. I really don't like that I can't sync skydrive if I use local account.



i am not all thrilled with 8.1, i still would have liked a real start menu but i installed startisback for 8.1 since i own it
And if you do not have a touch screen like I do on all my pcs except for my tablet, you do not really appreciated the changes.
btw for those who have startisback you need to uninstall the version you have for windows 8, and pick up the version for 8.1. It will keep the liscense info so you do not have to install it again.

Not true.
If your version is 2.0 or later you can just upgrade and then install startisback+ (version for windows 8.1) on top no problem tested it.

that is not what the owner told me, he recommended to uninstall the 8.0 version and install the 8.1 version,, why have 2 separate versions , he would have just upgraded his one version to work with both
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    4 Windows 7 Pro Sp1- 4 Win 8 Pro, 1- xp pro sp3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 390, 380, 3 Vostro Laptops (7 computers in all)
    CPU
    desktop/laptop
    Memory
    4gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    atm randioum
    Hard Drives
    350,250
Upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Centre was slow, but eventually completed OK. I'd left it downloading overnight, and when I came back to the computer, it complained that it was unable to complete. I went back into the store and restarted the process - it picked up from where it had stopped.
I use Vipre Internet Security 2014 - their firewall was disabled after installing W8.1 Pro. They responded very quickly with advice to un-install Vipre, including all Vipre data files (an option on the uninstall window), restart, download and install a new version of Vipre. All happy now.
I downloaded the new version of Vipre (really a downloader) prior to un-installing the old.
No other issues have shown up yet. Office 2013 hasn't asked for re-activation.

I, too, had a long download from the store that finally said it couldn't complete. That really upset me but I tried again anyway. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised when on the second try it picked up from the failure point and completed almost immediately without a hitch.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8500
    CPU
    3.1g Intel Core i5-3350P
    Motherboard
    Dell 0nW73C A000
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD RADEON HD 7570
    Sound Card
    AMD high definition audio device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung AMB23301
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB Manufacturer not known
    Internet Speed
    Cox High Speen
    Browser
    Firefox
Hello Joan,

You should be able to go back to the Store and start over with the download of the update without issue. If you're lucky, it may pick up where you left off. :)

Thanks it did, well it had got to 30% when I shut down last night at 11.30pm and it had been downloading for over 3 hours. When I turned on today about 12.30pm, I clicked on the top of the window where it said it was Installing 8.1 but after a bit it said it couldn't install but it gave me a box to try again which I clicked and it went back to downloading carrying on from the 30%. It was still taking ages so I walked away and left it to it.

I came back in about an hour and it was at 72% installing changes, well finally at about 3.30pm it booted to the Start screen, I quite like having the different colours on the tiles.

One thing I've noticed now is that when I go to the Desktop I have this message in the bottom corner and I don't know why or what to do

.Secure.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32 bit/ Windows 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Zoostorm/ Asus K55A Notebook
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2400 MHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn 45CMX/45GMX/45CMX-K
    Memory
    2048 MB (2 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM)/8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Corp 82945G Integrated Graphics Controller
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hanns.G HH221 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    ExcelStor (250GB)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (UK)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Just under 4MB download it's ADSL.
    Other Info
    Epson Stylus SX415 All-in-one Printer,
    Seagate Expansion 500GB External Desktop Drive
Yep I have that too as I have secure boot turned off as I boot Mint also.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/8 Mint
    System Manufacturer/Model
    lenovo W530
    CPU
    intell i7
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes
Yep I have that too as I have secure boot turned off as I boot Mint also.
I only have Windows 8.1 on here and have never dual booted on this Notebook, does it mean I've got to turn it on ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32 bit/ Windows 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Zoostorm/ Asus K55A Notebook
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2400 MHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn 45CMX/45GMX/45CMX-K
    Memory
    2048 MB (2 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM)/8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Corp 82945G Integrated Graphics Controller
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hanns.G HH221 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    ExcelStor (250GB)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (UK)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Just under 4MB download it's ADSL.
    Other Info
    Epson Stylus SX415 All-in-one Printer,
    Seagate Expansion 500GB External Desktop Drive
You can only turn on secure boot if you have UEFI in the bios all new computers have that.
You will need to look at the manual for your computer as not all brands are the same.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/8 Mint
    System Manufacturer/Model
    lenovo W530
    CPU
    intell i7
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes
You can only turn on secure boot if you have UEFI in the bios all new computers have that.
You will need to look at the manual for your computer as not all brands are the same.

I'll have to find the manual, I have an Asus K55A Notebook so at the moment I'm not sure.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32 bit/ Windows 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Zoostorm/ Asus K55A Notebook
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2400 MHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn 45CMX/45GMX/45CMX-K
    Memory
    2048 MB (2 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM)/8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Corp 82945G Integrated Graphics Controller
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hanns.G HH221 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    ExcelStor (250GB)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (UK)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Just under 4MB download it's ADSL.
    Other Info
    Epson Stylus SX415 All-in-one Printer,
    Seagate Expansion 500GB External Desktop Drive
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