WinStorePackager

GUI tool for preparing Python apps for the Microsoft Store — Manifest, Icons, and MSIX package at the click of a button

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Features

Feature	Description
Manifest Generator	Automatically creates AppxManifest.xml from form inputs
Icon Generator	All required Store sizes: 44×44, 50×50, 150×150, 310×310, 310×150 (Wide)
Keyring Integration	Secure storage of certificate passwords (no plaintext)
Screenshot Assistant	Captures app screenshots directly via pygetwindow
11 Store Categories	Predefined (Games, Productivity, Developer Tools, ...)
Age Ratings	3+ to 18+ ratings
MSIX Build	Invokes makeappx.exe and signtool.exe from the Windows SDK
Settings Persistence	Configuration is saved in JSON and loaded on next launch
Auto-Install	Missing dependencies are automatically installed

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Screenshot

The current UI combines manifest fields, icon generation, screenshot capture, and MSIX build preparation in one desktop workflow.

Project Profile Exchange and Web Companion

WinStorePackager now ships with a shared project profile format: PROJECT_PROFILE_FORMAT.md. The desktop app can import and export winstorepackager-project-v1.json so that Store metadata can be prepared outside Windows without exposing local Publisher IDs, SDK paths, certificate paths, or passwords.

The browser-based companion lives in web_companion/index.html. It offers the same project questionnaire, manifest preview, icon-size check, and JSON import/export as before, but now also supports a local app shell with service worker, offline fallback, install prompt, and a small cross-platform localhost starter.

python web_companion/serve_companion.py

Open http://127.0.0.1:8765/index.html if the browser does not launch automatically. Directly opening web_companion/index.html still works for local editing and JSON export, but install and offline features only work via localhost or https.

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Prerequisites

• Python 3.10+
• Windows 10/11
• Windows SDK (for makeappx.exe and signtool.exe)
• Microsoft Store developer account (for submission)

pip install -r requirements.txt

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Installation

git clone https://github.com/file-bricks/WinStorePackager.git
cd WinStorePackager
pip install -r requirements.txt
python WindowsStorePublisher_3.py

Or on Windows, double-click START.bat.

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Getting Started

1. Launch the tool — python WindowsStorePublisher_3.py or START.bat
2. Enter app data — Name, Publisher ID, version, path to .py file
3. Select icon — the tool automatically generates all Store sizes
4. Generate manifest — AppxManifest.xml is created
5. Build MSIX — Tool invokes makeappx.exe and creates the package
6. Sign — Select certificate, enter password securely via Keyring

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Configuration

On first launch, settings_store_packager.json is created locally and ignored by Git. It may contain local Publisher IDs, certificate paths, Windows SDK paths, and other machine-specific settings. Template:

{
  "app_name": "MyApp",
  "publisher": "CN=YOUR-PUBLISHER-ID",
  "publisher_display": "Your Name",
  "version": "1.0.0.0",
  "makeappx_path": "C:/Program Files (x86)/Windows Kits/10/App Certification Kit/makeappx.exe",
  "signtool_path": "C:/Program Files (x86)/Windows Kits/10/App Certification Kit/signtool.exe"
}

You can find your Publisher ID in the Microsoft Partner Center.

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Local Data and Build Artifacts

WinStorePackager works on local project files only. Generated MSIX packages, EXE builds, temporary staging folders, local settings, certificates, and release bundles are intentionally ignored by Git and should be distributed through GitHub Releases, Microsoft Store submissions, or another release channel instead of source commits.

If dependencies are missing, the launcher can install Python packages from PyPI via pip. After dependencies are installed, the packaging workflow itself runs locally and uses the Windows SDK tools configured on your machine.

Repository Hygiene

The repository intentionally tracks only source code, documentation, workflow files, and static sample assets. Local Partner Center data, Publisher IDs in settings_store_packager.json, certificates, generated manifests, MSIX/AppX packages, WACK logs, screenshots, and release bundles stay outside Git via .gitignore.

Last hygiene check: 2026-05-17. The check found no tracked secrets, no tracked ignored files, and no pending local commits before this documentation refresh.

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Comparison with Alternatives

Feature	WinStorePackager	MSIX Packaging Tool	Visual Studio	Advanced Installer
GUI	✅	⚠️	✅	✅
Python Focus	✅	❌	❌	❌
Auto-Icons	✅	❌	⚠️	✅
Manifest Template	✅	❌	✅	✅
Free	✅	✅	⚠️	❌
Screenshot Assistant	✅	❌	❌	❌
Keyring Security	✅	❌	❌	❌

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License

Dieses Projekt steht unter der MIT License.

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English

A GUI tool for preparing Python applications for the Microsoft Store (MSIX packaging).

Features

• MSIX package creation
• App manifest generation
• Icon and asset management
• Store submission preparation
• Shared project profile exchange via winstorepackager-project-v1.json
• Installable local browser companion with offline shell, manifest preview, and icon checks

Installation

git clone https://github.com/file-bricks/WinStorePackager.git
cd WinStorePackager
pip install -r requirements.txt
python "WindowsStorePublisher_3.py"

License

See LICENSE for details.

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Haftung / Liability

Dieses Projekt ist eine unentgeltliche Open-Source-Schenkung im Sinne der §§ 516 ff. BGB. Die Haftung des Urhebers ist gemäß § 521 BGB auf Vorsatz und grobe Fahrlässigkeit beschränkt. Ergänzend gilt der Haftungsausschluss der MIT License.

Nutzung auf eigenes Risiko. Keine Wartungszusage, keine Verfügbarkeitsgarantie, keine Gewähr für Fehlerfreiheit oder Eignung für einen bestimmten Zweck.

This project is an unpaid open-source donation. Liability is limited to intent and gross negligence (§ 521 German Civil Code). Use at your own risk. No warranty, no maintenance guarantee, no fitness-for-purpose assumed.