How to certify a desktop app for Windows 11

Question

I am tasked with finding out how to certify our desktop app for Windows 11, so that we can use a "Windows 11 certified"-logo on for example promotional material.

I already tried to follow this article:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/win_cert/windows-certification-portal
but it is heavily outdated, and any redirections it gives, lead to seemingly unrelated places (e.g. a malware analysis service, or a page for hardware certification).

The Windows App Cert Kit of the Windows 11 SDK requires a .MSIX but our app is not an UWP app and is not available on the Microsoft Store.
Even if I were to convert the installer, I wouldn't know where to submit the results.

Is it currently even possible to test a .msi and submit the results somewhere to get your app certified for Windows 11?

Answer 1

Microsoft doesn't have any standalone program to certify third-party application. In case you want to get some sort of approval, your company may join Microsoft Partner program which is:
https://partner.microsoft.com/en-US/
They will help you to promote your company and business.
You may publish Desktop app in the Microsoft Store too, take a look at:
https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-store/desktop-apps/

Answer 2

Hi there,

For an app to qualify for Windows 11 Desktop App Certification it must meet the following criteria

It must be a standalone app
It must run on a local Windows 10 PC
It can be a client component of a certified Windows Server app
It must be code and feature complete
It must not communicate with Windows Store apps via local mechanisms, including via files and registry keys, except in the supported enterprise scenarios
It must not jeopardize or compromise the security or functionality of the Windows system
It must have a unique name and must not be trademarked by others
All external components must be certified separately or be compliant with the Windows App Certification Kit
It must have an opt-out option for any bundled apps

This will brief you the process https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/win_cert/certification-requirements-for-windows-desktop-apps

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