No Info for Uploading to Microsoft Store

[Andalusio]

There doesn't seem to be any details on how to put all the generated files and assets into an .msix/.msixbundle/.msixupload/.appx/.appxbundle/.appxupload/.xap file, so to upload to the Microsoft Store. Or at least it's not obvious.

[SimonDarksideJ]

It is simply a the case of using the tools MS provide for packaging a dotnet build. Details can be found below:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/publish/?tabs=individual%2Cmsix-pwa-getting-started

We we will look to improve the Windows Store publishing on the docs site when we can

[wmb55]

The current Monogame Windows project template does not appear to support publishing to the Microsoft Store and the UAP project template (which did support publishing) has been deprecated. There does not seem to be a path to publishing any Monogame app to the store with the current release.

[Andalusio]

I found a way to package it as an upload file, but Microsoft kept complaining that my game crashed. And I still couldn't figure out how to properly package a dotnet copy of the game in MSIX with the self-dependent files included. Looks like I'll look into publishing my game elsewhere other than the Microsoft Store. Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

…

________________________________ From: wmb55 ***@***.***> Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2025 3:58:54 PM To: MonoGame/docs.monogame.github.io ***@***.***> Cc: Andalusio ***@***.***>; Author ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [MonoGame/docs.monogame.github.io] No Info for Uploading to Microsoft Store (Issue #189) [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/40244918?s=20&v=4]wmb55 left a comment (MonoGame/docs.monogame.github.io#189)<#189 (comment)> The current Monogame Windows project template does not appear to support publishing to the Microsoft Store and the UAP project template (which did support publishing) has been deprecated. There does not seem to be a path to publishing any Monogame app to the store with the current release. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#189 (comment)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AGIROCXXUBG6BZW7VQ7Z3HT3XELK5AVCNFSM6AAAAACITKVFKSVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTGOJTGQYDCMZRGI>. You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[wmb55]

So, I did find a way to create an MSIX from the standard Monogame Windows template. The trick is to follow the steps listed here:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/msix/desktop/desktop-to-uwp-packaging-dot-net (these steps were unnecessary with UWP as it was seamless)

Assuming you follow the steps and you have downloaded the Windows Certification Kit ( https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/debug-test-perf/windows-app-certification-kit ), you should be able to run your code through the certification process locally, thus being able to get specific debug info. When all the bugs have been cleared up, the SDK will automatically submit your package to the Microsoft Store as a MSIX. This way you don't have to sideload.

[Andalusio]

Hey! It turns out that it's a bad idea to create a Monogame project with spaces in its name, as Windows Application Packaging Project will convert space into "%20." This was the cause of the crashes, otherwise Windows Application Packaging Project is the best way to package Monogame projects for the Microsoft Store.

In addition, at least in my case, my game also ran into problems (Exception code: 0xe0434352) with C:\WINDOWS\System32\KERNELBASE.dll involved.

Of course, I read through the links shared here, so thanks for the help.