Will Windows 8 allow developers to post Metro apps on the web for end users to freely download, or will public dissemination of Metro apps be limited to the Windows Store?

There seems to be some confusion about this issue, so it'd be nice to get a definitive answer.

From the web pages Microsoft has posted which discuss enterprise customers "LOB sideloading", it sounds like the answer is "no", that there will be no way to publicly disseminate (ie.,from _anyone_ on the internet to _everyone else_ on the internet) Metro apps other than via the Microsoft Store.

Is that correct?

- Casey

 

Question Info

Last updated September 22, 2013 Views 110,337 Applies to:
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Answer

Hi

Yes, that is correct.

The Store Apps (formerly Metro) can only be distributed through the Windows Store.

Any developer who builds these apps, must have a Developers License and each app must go through a certification process and be validated before being placed in the Windows Store.

If you are an Enterprise customer, you can SideLoad Apps, but these must also be certified nad can only be used with a special product key that is available to Enterprise customers.

MSDN Blogs: Deploying Metro style apps to businesses
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsstore/archive/2012/04/25/deploying-metro-style-apps-to-businesses.aspx

Managing Client Access to the Windows Store:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh832040.aspx

 

How to Add and Remove Apps - Sideloading (LOB):
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh852635.aspx

 

Regards
MVP 1999 - Present
Windows Insider MVP

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