Windows Store developers receive new app availability settings and simplified certification requirements

Microsoft has rolled out an update to the Windows Store onboarding and publishing process, making a developers life a tad bit easier. With this new update, developers can now set their app’s release date and time, along with the ability to remove an app from the Store for a period of time. Microsoft has also made the certification process a bit easier.

“We’re always thinking about how we can improve the Windows Store onboarding and publishing process to make things easier for you as an app developer. This week we rolled out a few changes to help you manage the availability of your app in the Store, and we also simplified the app certification requirements,” Microsoft stated in an official blog post.

Windows Store app developers can now choose the data, hour, and time zone for their app, granted it has not reached the Signing and Publishing phase just yet. This allows developers to change the release date while the app is still in certification. On top of that, developers can remove an app’s listing from the Store temporarily, which can be quite useful while working to fix a bug or addressing a concern.

“We’ve now given you the ability to remove your app’s listing from the Windows Store at any time just by clicking Remove this app’s listing in the Manage availability section of the App details page in your Dashboard. You can later click Restore this app’s listing if you decide to make the app available again. It’s important to remember that removing an app’s listing means that your app is no longer available for new customers to download. Your app’s existing customers can continue to use it, although they’ll no longer be able to make any in-app purchases,” Microsoft explained.

Developers can also end support for Windows 8 and focus entirely on Windows 8.1 by removing the listing from the Windows Store during the app submission process.

Microsoft has also “evolved” the app certification process, making the process easier while still maintaining appropriate levels of app quality. “For example, you now have more flexibility in where your app can display ads. We’ve also combined some requirements that cover different aspects of the same area (such as technical requirements). For specifics on what’s changed, see the summary of changes in the certification requirements Revision history,” Microsoft explained.

As a Windows Store app developer, how do you feel about these new changes?