Microsoft is set to introduce new changes to its store policies for developers in the coming days. The update Microsoft Store the policies will prevent developers from charging fees for open source applications and services that are generally freely available on the Internet. According to a report by XDA Developers, the company’s new policies are designed to prevent specific individuals from taking advantage of apps that are not always available in the Microsoft Store and ultimately lead users to believe that these services are only available in the Microsoft Store. paid versions. The report also mentions that these changes will come into effect from July 16.
How the new Microsoft Store policies will protect common users
According to the report, Microsoft Giorgio Sardio shared a tweet to clarify that these new policies are intended to protect users from “misleading listings”, where someone could use open source software developed by others to make money by duping customers. However, Microsoft has made it clear that the company is not trying to prevent developers from charging for their apps, but these new policies will be put in place to restrict misleading listings “that take advantage of open source or free software.”
The report also mentions an example of a common application that is usually free but costs money on the Microsoft Store is Paint.NET, and it is also listed by the original developer. These apps charge a fee to support the development and users who download from the developer’s website are asked to donate which is not required.
Other New Microsoft Store Policy Changes
Apart from that, Microsoft also wants to prevent developers from charging “irrationally high” prices related to features offered by their apps, the report mentions. However, the company did not specify the exact amount that can be considered an irrationally high price. The report also claims that if users currently perform a quick search in the Microsoft Store for something as simple as a media player, they will find options as low as $16.99 (about Rs. 1,300).
External app installers distributed outside of Microsoft Stores
Another major update could affect app installers distributed via direct links outside of the Microsoft Store (in .exe or .msi formats), the report suggests. According to the report, these external app installers will now need to be digitally signed with a code-signing certificate owned by a certification authority included in the Microsoft Trusted Root program.
This new process seems to be a way to ensure the security of applications that are not directly available in the Microsoft Store. The report claims that the security of these apps may have been one of the top concerns for some users when the company decided to allow external apps in the Store. This new change should alleviate such concerns among users, the report says.
The latest revision to Microsoft Store policies also adds a few other changes, including “preventing apps that offer news and information from spreading misinformation,” the report suggests. Meanwhile, the remaining changes are “slightly less impactful and primarily add clearer language and smaller adjustments,” the report adds.
Also read: Learn how Microsoft plans to notify Windows 8.1 users of the January 2023 end-of-support date. Click here to know more.
How the new Microsoft Store policies will protect common users
According to the report, Microsoft Giorgio Sardio shared a tweet to clarify that these new policies are intended to protect users from “misleading listings”, where someone could use open source software developed by others to make money by duping customers. However, Microsoft has made it clear that the company is not trying to prevent developers from charging for their apps, but these new policies will be put in place to restrict misleading listings “that take advantage of open source or free software.”
The report also mentions an example of a common application that is usually free but costs money on the Microsoft Store is Paint.NET, and it is also listed by the original developer. These apps charge a fee to support the development and users who download from the developer’s website are asked to donate which is not required.
Other New Microsoft Store Policy Changes
Apart from that, Microsoft also wants to prevent developers from charging “irrationally high” prices related to features offered by their apps, the report mentions. However, the company did not specify the exact amount that can be considered an irrationally high price. The report also claims that if users currently perform a quick search in the Microsoft Store for something as simple as a media player, they will find options as low as $16.99 (about Rs. 1,300).
External app installers distributed outside of Microsoft Stores
Another major update could affect app installers distributed via direct links outside of the Microsoft Store (in .exe or .msi formats), the report suggests. According to the report, these external app installers will now need to be digitally signed with a code-signing certificate owned by a certification authority included in the Microsoft Trusted Root program.
This new process seems to be a way to ensure the security of applications that are not directly available in the Microsoft Store. The report claims that the security of these apps may have been one of the top concerns for some users when the company decided to allow external apps in the Store. This new change should alleviate such concerns among users, the report says.
The latest revision to Microsoft Store policies also adds a few other changes, including “preventing apps that offer news and information from spreading misinformation,” the report suggests. Meanwhile, the remaining changes are “slightly less impactful and primarily add clearer language and smaller adjustments,” the report adds.
Also read: Learn how Microsoft plans to notify Windows 8.1 users of the January 2023 end-of-support date. Click here to know more.
