The Microsoft Store experience is governed by the same overarching Microsoft Store Policies that apply to products (apps, games, add‑ons, etc.), even though those documents primarily describe requirements for what can be listed in the Store rather than implementation details of the Store client itself.
From the current policy set, the Store is required to:
- Support a diverse catalog of products for customers worldwide.
- Enforce certification standards so that listed products:
- Provide unique and distinct value.
- Do not mislead customers about capabilities or who is offering them.
- Do not attempt to cheat customers, the system, or the ecosystem (for example, through ratings/review manipulation or fraud).
- Provide a good fit for the Store, meaning the Store experience and its catalog must align with these principles and policies.
The Store client and backend services exist to implement and uphold these Store Policies (current and historical versions), including how products are presented, discovered, and transacted, and how customer trust and safety are maintained.
For details and change history of the governing standards, see the current Microsoft Store Policies and their archived versions.
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