msstore-submission
Microsoft Store Submission via Partner Center
Microsoft Store accepts apps in three packaging formats:
- MSIX/MSIXBundle (modern, recommended) — for Win32 desktop apps, UWP apps, and PWAs (via PWA Builder).
- AppX/AppXBundle (legacy MSIX precursor) — being phased out; new submissions should use MSIX.
- EXE installer wrapped in MSIX (Microsoft Store for Business / WinGet path) — niche.
This skill focuses on the MSIX path because it's modern, automatic-updating, and what PWA Builder produces.
Why MSIX (or PWA) beats a raw EXE/MSI
If you're choosing a Windows distribution format, prefer MSIX or PWA over EXE/MSI: when you ship through the Store, Microsoft signs the package for free with a trusted cert tied to your publisher identity. A raw EXE/MSI installer instead requires you to buy your own code-signing certificate (OV/EV) to avoid SmartScreen warnings — an ongoing cost MSIX-via-Store sidesteps entirely.
Accepted upload formats
Partner Center accepts .msix / .msixbundle / .msixupload, .appx / .appxbundle / .appxupload, and .xap. For submission, prefer the upload file variants (.msixupload / .appxupload): they bundle multiple architectures and embed the symbol files Partner Center uses for crash analytics. A multi-arch app bundle (x86 + x64 + ARM64) is preferred over a single-architecture package so one submission covers every device.