Downloads for building Store apps
Now you can build a Store app that can target each form factor of Windows devices through the shared Windows Runtime in Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1. You start with a universal Windows app project template in Visual Studio. Then, use these SDKs, toolkits, samples, and services to build the universal Windows app you envision, and get it published in the Store. Read more
Essential downloads
Visual Studio Express 2013 for Windows
Use this free tool to create innovative and compelling Windows Phone and Windows Store apps, including universal Windows apps, for all Windows devices. The tools include universal app templates, a full-featured code editor, a powerful debugger, Windows Phone emulators, rich language support, and more, all ready to use in production. Includes the Windows Phone SDK and Windows SDK.
Get Visual Studio Express 2013 for WindowsUniversal Windows app samples
This sample pack includes app code samples developed and updated using one of the universal app templates in Visual Studio 2013 Update 2. Each solution of a universal app code sample can run on Windows 8.1 and on Windows Phone 8.1.
Windows Phone
Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 Emulators
The Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 Emulators adds six emulator images to an existing installation of Visual Studio 2013 so you can test how your app will work on phones running Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1. (Requires Visual Studio 2013 with Update 2 or later.) Learn more about Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 Emulators.
Windows Phone 8.1 Emulators
The Windows Phone 8.1 Emulators package adds six emulator images to an existing installation of Visual Studio 2013 so you can test how your apps will work on phones running Windows Phone 8.1. (Requires Visual Studio 2013 with Update 2 or later.)
Windows Phone Preview
Registered developers can access prerelease Windows Phone operating system updates for their development phone, directly from Microsoft.
Windows Phone Store badges
Add a Windows Phone badge to let your customers know that your app is available in the Windows Phone Store.
Windows Phone SDK archives
Find current and earlier releases of the SDK , including Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 7.
Windows
Windows SDK for Windows 8.1
Get the headers, libraries, and tools you need to create Windows Store apps and desktop apps, in the dev language of your choice. Includes the .NET Framework 4.5.1 SDK, Windows App Certification Kit, and DirectX SDK. The SDK does not include a compiler or build environment. Learn more about the Windows SDK for Windows 8.1
Windows 8.1
Looking for the latest version of Windows? Start here!
Windows Store badges
Add a Windows Store badge to let your customers know your app is available in the Windows Store.
Windows 8.1 Store sample pack
Includes all the app code samples developed and updated for Windows 8.1, including app code samples created using the universal app templates in Visual Studio.
Toolkits and extensions
Multilingual App Toolkit
Tools to help you localize your Store app with translation support, translation file management, and editor tools.
Windows App Certification Kit
Use this kit to test your app for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 app certification programs.
Visual Studio Extensions for the Windows Library for JavaScript
Resources that make it easier to build Windows Store apps using the WinJS. For more info, see Writing code for Windows Runtime apps.
Remote Tools for Visual Studio 2013 Update 2
Gives you access to remote debugging, remote testing, and unit testing on computers that don't have Visual Studio installed. (Applies to Windows Store apps only.)
Related SDKs
Microsoft Advertising SDK
Use advertising to monetize your apps while presenting a rich and engaging advertising experience to your users. This SDK was released as an update through Visual Studio in March 2014.
OneDrive for developers
Get the Live SDK for a set of controls and APIs, for building apps that can access information from OneDrive on Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1.
Bing Maps SDK for Windows 8.1 Store apps
Combine the power of Windows 8.1 and Bing Maps to incorporate the latest road maps and aerial views into your Windows Store app.
Microsoft Azure Mobile Services
Add a scalable and secure cloud back end and incorporate structured storage, user authentication, and push notifications.
DirectX SDK
Actually, the DirectX SDK is now included as part of the Windows SDK (beginning with Windows 8).
Imaging SDK
Gives you access to a powerful library of exciting image-manipulation tools for Windows and Windows Phone devices. Designed from the ground up with performance and a low-memory footprint in mind, the Imaging SDK 1.2 makes editing high-resolution images swift and engaging.
Lumia SensorCore SDK
New sensor hardware in the latest Lumia smartphones enables you to develop life-logging apps that are motion and location aware. Lumia devices, with the help of SensorCore technology, are able to utilize sensor data with negligible impact on battery life.
Explore more
Partner resources
Improve your app with services from our featured partners.
Design assets
Design your app with these essential assets, including templates, wireframes, and guidelines.
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