MicrosoftDocs
diff --git a/‎hub/apps/publish/faq/get-started-with-the-microsoft-store.md‎
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Lines changed: 71 additions & 8 deletions
diff --git a/‎hub/apps/publish/faq/get-your-app-certified.md‎
Lines changed: 25 additions & 3 deletions b/‎hub/apps/publish/faq/get-your-app-certified.md‎
Lines changed: 25 additions & 3 deletions
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ ms.localizationpriority: medium
 ---
 
 # Get started with Microsoft Store - Frequently Asked Questions
----
 <details>
 <summary><strong>What is the Microsoft Partner Center and why do I need a developer account to publish my app?</strong></summary>
 
@@ -17,9 +16,10 @@ Having a developer account gives you access to the Windows Apps & Games dashboar
 
 </details>
 
+---
+
 <details>
 <summary><strong>How do I register for a Microsoft Store developer account? What are the main steps?</strong></summary>
-
 To open a developer account, you will sign up through Partner Center and provide some information. The process is straightforward:
 
 - **Sign in with a Microsoft account:** Go to the Partner Center registration page and sign in with your Microsoft account (or create one if needed). This Microsoft account will be used to log in to your developer dashboard.
@@ -28,22 +28,39 @@ To open a developer account, you will sign up through Partner Center and provide
 - **Provide publisher details:** Enter a Publisher Display Name – this is the name shown to customers in the Store. You’ll also provide contact info (address, email, etc.) for verification.
 - **Accept terms and pay the fee:** Accept the Microsoft App Developer Agreement and pay the one-time registration fee (approximately $19 USD for individuals or $99 USD for companies, depending on your country).
 - **Verify your email and account:** You’ll receive a verification email after payment. Confirm your email to finalize the account creation. Once complete, you can begin the app submission process.
-
 </details>
 
+---
+
 <details>
 <summary><strong>What are the main benefits of distributing my app through the Microsoft Store?</strong></summary>
 
 The Microsoft Store provides access to a vast user base of over a billion Windows customers across more than 200 markets and 100 languages. Beyond reach, the Store also offers various promotion and marketing tools such as:
 
-- **Microsoft Store Ads** to target users by intent
-- **Curated collections** and **editorial features** that highlight apps in Store spotlight areas
+- **Microsoft Store Ads** to target users by intent  
+- **Curated collections** and **editorial features** that highlight apps in Store spotlight areas  
 - Built-in **search discoverability** for relevant categories
 
-These features help increase app visibility and drive downloads more effectively than standalone distribution.
-
+Additionally, when you publish through the Microsoft Store, your app benefits from a rich ecosystem of services and infrastructure managed by Microsoft, including:
+
+- **App distribution** — Hosted and paid by Microsoft, making deployment and availability seamless.
+- **In-app purchase and promotion services** — Integrated Microsoft Store services like promo codes and notifications.
+- **Billing and download support** — Microsoft provides direct customer support for transactional and technical issues.
+- **Marketing resources** — Access to product page promotion, campaigns, and Store placement tools.
+- **Software updates** — Updates are delivered automatically through Windows, ensuring users always have the latest version.
+- **Restore support** — Apps are automatically restored when users switch devices.
+- **Global payment processing** — Microsoft manages worldwide transactions and payouts.
+- **App analytics** — Insightful data provided through Partner Center for usage, health, reviews, and more.
+- **Code signing** — Apps are signed by Microsoft to improve trust and security.
+- **Age ratings** — Simplified and compliant rating management via the International Age Ratings Coalition (IARC).
+- **User feedback and review responses** — Developers can respond directly to customer reviews in the Store.
+- **Beta testing** — Hosted pre-release testing tools for gathering early feedback before launch.
+
+All these benefits reduce friction in development, simplify distribution logistics, improve user confidence, and help your app succeed in a competitive marketplace.
 </details>
 
+---
+
 <details>
 <summary><strong>How does publishing to the Store improve my app’s trust and security?</strong></summary>
 
@@ -57,6 +74,8 @@ Apps are digitally signed, encrypted, and run in a sandboxed environment to prot
 
 </details>
 
+---
+
 <details>
 <summary><strong>What revenue and commerce options are available if I publish to the Store?</strong></summary>
 
@@ -71,6 +90,8 @@ This flexibility makes the Microsoft Store suitable for a wide range of app busi
 
 </details>
 
+---
+
 <details>
 <summary><strong>What analytics and insights can I access after publishing my app?</strong></summary>
 
@@ -85,6 +106,8 @@ You can filter by market, date, device type, and more. Data can be exported as C
 
 </details>
 
+---
+
 <details>
 <summary><strong>How does the Store support enterprise distribution and management?</strong></summary>
 
@@ -98,10 +121,12 @@ Apps can be distributed via **online or offline licenses**, providing flexibilit
 
 </details>
 
+---
+
 <details>
 <summary><strong>How does publishing to the Store help with app updates and user migration?</strong></summary>
 
-**A:** The Microsoft Store handles **automatic app updates**, ensuring that users always run the latest version. For developers moving from **web-distributed or unpackaged apps**, Microsoft provides:
+The Microsoft Store handles **automatic app updates**, ensuring that users always run the latest version. For developers moving from **web-distributed or unpackaged apps**, Microsoft provides:
 
 - **Guidance for migration**
 - **Support for preventing dual installs**
@@ -110,3 +135,41 @@ Apps can be distributed via **online or offline licenses**, providing flexibilit
 This helps simplify version management and reduces friction during upgrades or transitions from legacy installs.
 
 </details>
+
+---
+
+<details>
+<summary><strong>What are the Microsoft Store Policies and why do they matter for my app?</strong></summary>
+
+The **Microsoft Store Policies** are a set of rules every app must follow to be published in the Store. These include requirements for:
+
+- Technical compliance (e.g., no use of banned APIs)
+- Security (e.g., malware scanning)
+- Content (e.g., no prohibited or misleading material)
+- Legal (e.g., valid age ratings, correct use of in-app purchases)
+
+Violations can result in failed submissions or removal from the Store. Microsoft publishes a complete version of the Store Policies (currently version 7.18) that all developers should review. Following these policies helps ensure your app is certified quickly and provides a safe, high-quality experience to users.
+
+</details>
+
+---
+
+<details>
+<summary><strong>How can I get help from Microsoft if I run into problems with Partner Center or my app?</strong></summary>
+
+You can contact Microsoft Support through **Partner Center**:
+
+1. Click the **Help (?) icon** at the top of Partner Center.
+2. Select **Contact Support** from the Help panel.
+3. Fill in the support ticket with relevant details (e.g., app name, issue type).
+
+After submission, track the request under **Help + support**. Microsoft will follow up by email or the online portal. Use the correct issue category for faster resolution (e.g., "Payout issues" or "Submission failure").
+
+For general questions, you can also use Microsoft Q&A forums or check the Learn documentation. However, for urgent or account-related issues, always submit a support ticket through Partner Center.
+
+</details>
+
+<br>
+
+> [!TIP]
+> For detailed information about **How to get started with the microsoft store**, please see the [Get started with the microsoft store](../index.md) section.
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ ms.topic: faq
 
 This FAQ is designed to help new developers understand what happens after submitting an app to the Microsoft Store, including how certification works, how long it takes, common reasons for failure, and how to prepare your app to pass certification successfully. This content was created as part of a structured effort to improve the "Submit and manage your apps" documentation on Microsoft Learn.
 
+---
+
 <details>
 <summary><strong>What is the app certification process, and how long does it take?</strong></summary>
 
@@ -23,15 +25,30 @@ Once approved, your app typically becomes visible in the Store within about 15 m
 
 </details>
 
+---
+
 <details>
-<summary><strong>What happens if my app fails certification?</strong></summary>
+<summary><strong>What should I do if my app fails certification or is removed from the Store?</strong></summary>
+
+If your app fails certification, Microsoft will provide a **certification report** explaining why it failed—whether due to a technical issue or policy violation.
+
+To address the failure:
 
-If your app fails certification, the submission will be marked as failed or blocked in Partner Center. You will receive a detailed certification report explaining why it failed—whether due to a technical issue or policy violation.
+1. Review the Microsoft Store Policies to understand the issue.
+2. Fix the problem (e.g., remove prohibited content, correct metadata).
+3. Submit an updated version for certification.
 
-To proceed, review the failure report, fix the issues, and submit a new version. There is no extra cost to resubmit. Common issues include crashes, missing privacy policies, or inaccurate metadata.
+If your app was removed from the Store after being published, it may be due to a severe issue (e.g., security vulnerabilities or policy violations). In such cases:
+
+- Check Partner Center and your email for communication from Microsoft.
+- Address the stated issue.
+- Submit a corrected update for review.
+
+For clarification or help, contact Microsoft at `[email protected]` with your app ID or respond to the certification report email directly.
 
 </details>
 
+---
 
 <details>
 <summary><strong>How can I improve my app’s chances of passing certification on the first try?</strong></summary>
@@ -51,3 +68,8 @@ Here are Microsoft’s best practices to help your app pass certification smooth
 Finally, **always check the latest Microsoft Store Policies** to ensure compliance with technical and content guidelines.
 
 </details>
+
+<br>
+
+> [!TIP]
+> For detailed information about **How to get your app certified**, please see the [Get your app certified](../publish-your-app/msix/app-certification-process.md) section.