Get started with Windows Store apps
- Download our free developer tools: Visual Studio Express, Blend, the Windows 8 SDK and project templates for creating new Windows Store apps.
- Get a free developer license – it’s quick and easy.
- Check out hundreds of SDK samples to help you learn how to download, build and run sample apps.
- Alternatively build apps in minutes with ZipApp.
Get started on Windows Phone 8
- Download our free developer tools: Visual Studio Express for Windows Phone, Windows Phone SDK tools and project templates for creating new Windows Phone 8 apps.
- Get guidance for best practice with our design library for Windows Phone.
- Use many of the skills you already have – create new generation Windows Phone 8 apps with C#, Visual Basic, XAML, C++.
- Be part of a fast-growing market – 2012 saw a 91% increase in paid app revenue with users, on average, downloading 55 apps each.
Get storage and power on tap with Windows Azure
- Build with your preferred programming language or tool on any operating system you like.
- Scale fast with unlimited storage and easily manage peaks in demand with full elasticity.
- Get a rock-solid 99.95% monthly service level agreement.
- Only pay for the resources you use, no costly infrastructure or maintenance.
- Get a no obligation three month free trial.
Create something beautiful
- Benefit from a beautiful design language that delivers a great visual experience across different devices.
- Enable your customers to get a consistent user experience no matter the form factor or screen size.
- Design your apps with the tools you already know and love – like Illustrator, Photoshop, Fireworks, Balsamiq and more.
- Get all the UX and design resources you need.
Making store submission easy and painless
- We want great apps on the Windows Store and Windows Phone Store, so we try to make getting them there a simple process.
- You can help by ensuring you have included the right privacy statement and the appropriate age rating.
- And make sure you’ve tested your app with the Windows App Certification Kit.
- Finally, familiarise yourself with the App Certification Tips on the Dev Centre (especially common certification failures and the guidance for resolving certification failures).
