Can I package an SDL desktop application with MSIX package tool and then upload it to the MS store?

Question

Hello,

1. Can I package an SDL desktop application (.exe) with MSIX package tool?
2. Can I upload such a package to the Microsoft Store?
3. Is the app manifest automatically included?
4. Do I have to modify the app manifest and how?
5. Do I have to create a digital certificate?
6. Do I have to manually sign my app?
7. Is there anything else I should know about submitting such an application (if it is possible at all)?

If you cannot answer to all my questions, that's fine (you are probably going to reprimand me for asking so many questions anyway).
But please reply to the first 2 questions.
Then I can somehow figure out how to do the rest.

Notes:

• I've got a Partner account already.
• I do not use Visual Studio (I use Code::Blocks instead).
• SDL: Simple DirectMedia Layer - Homepage (libsdl.org)
• I'm on Windows 10 Home.
• I have not activated developer mode.
• I have installed the Windows SDK just in case, but I'm not using it for developing my app. (Do I need it for any of the steps mentioned above???)
• BTW, I have no idea which tag to use for my question.

I'm developing a Japanese language app.
So I'm a linguist, not a professional programmer, so please don't expect me to guess everything.
I have had a look at lots of documentation but they only made me more confused.
That is why I'm asking here, to get a clear answer to my problem.

Thanks for helping me,
Daniel

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

Can I package an SDL desktop application (.exe) with MSIX package tool?

Yes, the MSIX package tool could create an MSIX application package from the .exe installer. But you need to check the requirements first: Know your installer.

Can I upload such a package to the Microsoft Store?

Yes, if you had generated an MSIX package, you could upload this package to the Store. Currently, MSIX installation through the Microsoft Store and Microsoft Store for Business requires Windows 10, version 1809, and later. But you need to register a developer account first.

Is the app manifest automatically included?

You don't need to check this. The MSIX package tool will generate an MSIX package and you could directly upload it to the store without modification.

For other questions, please check this document: Create an MSIX package from any desktop installer. And you could ask questions about the MSIX package tool here: MSIX developer forum.

Thank you.

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