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![]() How to install a Windows Store app in Windows 8![]() ![]() Installation of a Windows Store app A Windows Store app (former "Metro-style app") is a new type of application that only runs on Windows 8. They can not be installed using traditional installation techniques; a complete new technique is used to install a Windows Store app. One big difference compared to an installation of a desktop app (desktop application) is that no separate setup program / self-extractor need to be deployed with the setup package. In fact, it is not even possible to do that. Instead, you create a "passive" package that contains all necessary files to run the app, and that you submit to Windows Store. Users will download your app from the Windows Store as an app package, and Windows will use the information in the app package to install the app. Windows also handles the uninstallation of the app and make sure that all traces of the app are gone from the device after uninstallation. Windows take 100% care of the installation and uninstallation process. Always installed per-user Another difference compared to a desktop app installation is that a Windows Store app is always installed per-user basis. For a desktop app you can choose if you want to install the app per-machine or per-user, but a Windows Store app is always installed per-user. When an app is installed per-user, only the user that installed the app can access it. The Windows Store app package format (APPX format)
A Windows Store app package / APPX package contain these four main parts:
The image below shows what can be inside a created APPX package: ![]() Declarative install The deployment and installation of a Windows Store app is an entirely declarative process that relies on the XML-based manifest in the app package. The manifest is used to specify the desired integration with the operating system. By using this method Windows will have full control over both the installation and uninstallation of the app, and will make sure that installation / uninstallation behaves in the same way in different Windows 8 devices. Where is a Windows Store app installed? A Windows Store app is always installed to the following folder: \Program Files\WindowsApps. The WindowsApps folder is hidden by default. And if you makes the folder visible you may notice that you don't have access to the folder (you will probably get a permission denied warning message). You can change the permission settings for the folder by following the steps described in the The 'WindowsApps' folder in Windows 8 article on our web site. Digitally signed ![]() You can also sign your app package manually, on your own. This may be necessary when you test your app or create apps for Enterprise use. Signing can be made via Visual Studio or by using standard tools for signing (for example the SignTool tool from Microsoft). An app can not be installed if it is not digitally signed and the signature validated. So this is a compulsory step. How to create an APPX package ![]()
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Article written by: Mika Larramo |