Change history for Microsoft Store Policies
| Date | Document version | Change description |
|---|---|---|
| October 19, 2024 | 7.18 |
Updated what is considered a “Product” in the introduction section. Updated 10.1 to include search terms in the definition of metadata. Updated 10.1.3 to clarify that developers cannot use other product titles in their search terms unless published by them. Updated 10.2.4 to clarify language on disclosing dependency on non-integrated software and inform of the exception request which will be handled on a case-by-case process. Updated 10.2.6 to consolidate policy related to cryptocurrency accounts under the main crypto policy, as well as reiterate the requirement of a company account if the app requires financial information. Updated 10.8.3 to include that an app that requires financial information must be a company account. Clarified what is considered financial information. New 10.10.7 added to support the updated policy regarding in-game/in-app ads 3P middleware. See 10.13.11.2 Updated 10.13.11 to include language to restrict data sharing between 3rd party API/Ad services to serve in-game/in-app ads. Updated 10.14 to align with the EU Digital Services Act that requires business verification and customer support contact information that is required for company accounts (for more information, see Upcoming company account verification requirements). Updated 11.11 to include a link to the Age Rating page. |
| October 30, 2023 | 7.17 |
New 10.4.3 Policy setting guidelines for a discontinued or merged app. New 10.4.4 added policy setting guidelines for reasonable download time. New 10.5.8 Explicit policy around collection of child data. New 11.14 Policy outlining gambling requirements and restrictions. Update to 10.1 Extends game franchise hub to PC and requires them to be categorized as games. Update to 10.1.5 Clarifies that the product must be distributed/acquired through the Store. Update to 10.1.6 Excludes game franchise hubs from being submitted as Storefronts, which are subject to app policies and commercial terms. Update to 10.2.4 Clarified wording dependency on non Microsoft provided driver or NT service. Update to 10.2.6 Provide more clarity around cryptocurrency wallets and trading platforms. Update to 10.2.8 Added a link to the blog post for “A principled approach to app pinning and app defaults in Windows”. Update to 10.4.1 “should” to “must” to reiterate the importance. Update 10.4.2 Remove 10.4.3 copy and move to 10.4.2 Update to 10.8.1 Providing clarification on disallowing any real-world value exchange in game with a clearer policy. Update to 10.8.2 Tightened up language to provide clarity around 3P billing requirements and restrictions. Update to 10.8.3 clarification around accounts requiring financial information. Update to 10.10.2 & 10.10.3 consolidated 10.10.3 into 10.10.2 Update to 10.13.2 Removed reference to Xbox One. Update to 10.13.3 Removed reference to Xbox One. Update to 11.2 Updating IP infringement verbiage to align with what will be updated in the Report an App feature. Update to 11.13 Strengthen language around limiting access to mature/adult content to minors. |
| July 18, 2022 | 7.16.1 |
Update to 10.8.7 to remove language related to open-source or other free software. Update to 11.2 adding a link to Microsoft’s online infringement reporting form. |
| June 16, 2022 | 7.16 |
Update to 10.1.1 requirements for product search terms. Update to 10.1.1 with new policies pertaining to product metadata including title or name, icon, screenshots, descriptions. Update to 10.2.2 adding clarifying language to current policy. Update to 10.2.9, to add in a requirement that installer binary products (.msi or .exe) must be digitally signed with a code signing certificate that chains up to a certificate issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that is part of the Microsoft Trusted Root Program. Update to 10.8.7 to prohibit charging fees in the Store for open-source or other software that is generally available for free and restrict irrationally high pricing. Update to 10.13.1 to remove requirement that games submitted via the Creators program must use XBL. New 11.3.3 added policy prohibiting products whose intent is to provide content related to information, news, or current events in the real world from disseminating misinformation. Update to 11.11 to add reference to use of International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) questionnaire during product submission to garner appropriate product rating. |
| September 28, 2021 | 7.15 |
Update to 10.1.3 requirements for product search terms. Update to 10.1.5, removing prohibition on products whose primary functionality is to enable acquisition of digital goods from outside the Store. New 10.1.6 policy allowing products that are standalone digital storefronts on PC devices. Update to 10.2.1 regarding web browser requirements on console. Update to 10.13.4, prohibiting products that enable general browsing of the operating system, file systems or attached physical media file structures Update to 10.13.10, added game platform. New 11.13, added Third Party Digital Storefronts content policy. |
| July 30, 2021 | 7.14 |
Note: The below updates were added to version 7.14 of the Store Policies on July 30, 2021. Update to 10.2.4, updated to require exception for dependency on non-Microsoft drivers or NT services. Update to 10.14 to include application name. |
| June 28, 2021 | 7.14 |
Update to 10.1.5 to allow specific additional products, adds-ons or extensions to be available from within your product. Update to 10.2, incorporating product safety testing and other product safety requirements previously included in policy 11.3. Update to 10.2.1 requirements for products that browse the web. Update to 10.2.3 to prohibit bundleware within your product. Update to 10.2.5 regarding software dependency requirements. New 10.2.7 policy requiring clean uninstall of products. New 10.2.8 policy requiring use of supported methods and user consent to change any Windows user settings. New 10.2.9 policy governing eligibility and requirements for submitting an HTTPS-enabled download URL to a product’s installer binaries. Removed 10.4.4, back button policy. Removed 10.5.6, identity authentication policy. Removed legacy platform references from 10.5.7. Update to 10.8.1 requirements regarding usage of Microsoft Store in-app purchase API for purchases of digital goods and services and requirements when using secure third-party purchase API. Update to 10.8.6 requirements regarding usage of Microsoft recurring billing API for subscriptions of digital goods and services. Update to 10.9 requirements for notifications. Removed 10.11 mobile voice plan policy. Remove 10.12 Edge extensions policy. Microsoft Edge Add-ons policies can be found here. Update to 11.3.2, relocating the product safety testing and other product safety requirements to 10.2. |
| April 15, 2021 | 7.13 | Update to policy 10.1 to include examples of metadata, which is inclusive of product category, and provide guidance on products that are considered games. Update to policy 10.8.6 with specific policies that apply to PC Gaming subscription products. Update to policy 10.13 to remove XBL requirements for Creators products; also removes any XBL specific policies from Store policies as XBL requirements can be found at https://aka.ms/xboxlivepolicy. Update to policy 11.12 to clarify policy requirements related to User Generated Content. |
| October 1, 2019 | 7.12 | Added new policy 10.2.6 banning apps that mine cryptocurrency on device. Updated 10.8.4 to add odds disclosure requirement for products offering “loot boxes’ or other randomized virtual items. Updated 10.8.7 to add requirements regarding pricing regulations. Updated 10.10.1 to add requirements related to truth in advertising. Updated 10.13.1 to clarify game products includes products that primarily offer remote game play/control functionality. Removed the company account requirement for certain types of apps from 10.14. Added 11.12 with requirements for user generated content. |
| March 5, 2019 | 7.11 | Updated 10.1.1 to add ownership requirements for publishing web apps. Added 10.1.5 to republish software promotion and distribution requirements. Updated 10.8.3 to apply only where apps require financial account information. Updated 10.14 to add requirements for mandatory use of a company account type. |
| November 15, 2018 | 7.10 | Changed policies to refer to "Products" generally and specific product types, such as apps, games and add-ins, as appropriate. Added a first-run value proposition requirement to 10.1.1. Added a completeness requirement and replaced "targeted device family" with "targeted systems and devices" in 10.1.2. Reworded and moved software distribution policy from 10.8.5 to 10.2.6 to more accurately reflect its purpose. Added platform support to device support requirements in 10.4.1. Removed 10.3.3 detailing gift card requirements. Simplified back button requirements in 10.4.4. Updated 10.5.1 to move device location requirements to new 10.5.7 and require privacy policies for Edge Extensions and Desktop Bridge products. Added 10.5.6 to specify the requirements for using Microsoft identity authentication. Added 10.5.7 to specify device location requirements including consent to use location data. Updated 10.8.2 to add requirements for receiving donations from users. |
| August 6, 2018 | 7.9 | Updated 10.1.2 to add requirements for file types and protocols. Updated 10.1.4 to include active presence in the Store. Updated 10.8.4 to include trial experiences. Updated 10.13.11 to add personal information requirements. |
| April 17, 2018 | 7.8 | Updated 10.8.4 to clarify wording. Updated 10.14 to indicate the date when this policy takes effect. Changed title of 11.3. |
| February 14, 2018 | 7.7 | Updated 10.5.5 to clarify requirements for storing or transmitting sensitive personal information. Updated 10.8.3 to change "business account type" to "company account type." Added 10.14 to require company account type for apps using app-specific authentication methods. |
| November 20, 2017 | 7.6 | Updated Harm to Others (11.3) to clarify (a) product safety and comfort requirements and (b) prohibitions against causing or encouraging real word harm. |
| October 26, 2017 | 7.5 | Updated 10.2.4 and added 10.2.5 to clarify requirements for software dependencies. Updated 10.8.2 to clarify required payment methods for charitable contributions and gambling payments. Added 10.8.6 to 10.8 Financial Transactions to describe requirements for subscriptions. Updated 10.13.5 to clarify requirements for sign-in to Xbox Live. Updated the definition of the "Store" in connection with Microsoft Store branding changes. |
| June 13, 2017 | 7.4 | Added that metadata policies and content policies apply to trailers and trailer thumbnails. |
| March 29, 2017 | 7.3 | Updated 10.8.1 to rename the Microsoft in-app purchase API. Updated 10.8.2 to add the Microsoft payment request API. Updated Gaming and Xbox (10.13) to cover Creators Program, Xbox Live and Emulators Updated Harm to Users (11.3) to cover encouraging or creating harm to the app user |
| January 17, 2017 | 7.2 | Added Security (10.2.1) to cover requirements for browser functionality. Updated Financial Transactions (10.8.4) to require clear notice when initiating an in-app purchase. |
| October 19, 2016 | 7.1 | Reorganized Distinct Function & Value; Accurate Representation (10.1) and added device dependency and targeted device functionality requirements Updated Personal Information (10.5) to require privacy policy link in metadata and clarify limitations on publishing personal information without consent Updated Financial Transactions (10.8) to clarify in-app purchase requirements for digital goods and add limitation on promotion and distribution of software |
| August 2, 2016 | 7.0 | Updated Security (10.2) to add 10.2.3 and 10.2.4. Updated Usability (10.4.2) to clarify requirements. Updated Personal Information (10.5) to require describing the types of parties to whom PII is disclosed (in 10.5.1 and 10.5.2), and added 10.5.4 and 10.5.5. Updated Financial Transactions (10.8) to add virtual currency and 10.8.1 to remove grace period for implementing MS IAP for digital goods. Added Edge Extensions (10.12). Added Xbox One (10.13). Updated Offensive Content (11.5) to explicitly apply to metadata and to include sensitive content. Updated Code of Conduct to explicitly include obtaining unauthorized access to or use of personal information. |
| June 15, 2016 | 6.9 | Updated Distinct Function & Value (10.1). Updated Notifications (10.9) to add 10.9.4. |
| March 30, 2016 | 6.8 | Updated Distinct Function & Value (10.1). Updated Age Ratings (11.1) to remove 11.11.1. |
| December 3, 2015 | 6.7 | Updated Distinct Function & Value (10.1). Updated General Content Requirements (11.1). Combined General Rating Requirements and Age Ratings into 11.11 (removed 11.12). |
| September 8, 2015 | 6.6 | Updated Advertising Conduct and Content (10.10.6). |
| July 29, 2015 | 6.5 | Updated Security (10.2.2) to revise the description of prohibited app behavior. Updated Personal Information (10.5.1) location settings requirements to include information about Windows 10 mobile apps. |
| June 8, 2015 | 6.4 | Combined paragraphs in 10.1 Distinct Function & Value; Accurate Representation. Extended application of 11.12 Age Ratings to all Windows Store apps. Updated and consolidated requirements in 11.12 Age Ratings. |
| April 29, 2015 | 6.3 | Added a requirement to Personal Information (10.5). Updated Capabilities (10.6). Updated Financial Transactions (10.8). Added Advertising Conduct and Content (10.10). Updated and renamed Hate Speech or Discriminatory (11.5) to Offensive Content. |
| October 23, 2014 | 6.2 | Converged policies for Windows Store and Windows Phone Store. |
