Microsoft explains why it is prohibiting the sale of free open-source apps in the Microsoft Store

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Published onJuly 8, 2022

published onJuly 8, 2022

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Microsoft Store is set to receive a handful of new policy changes come July 16, this year. Among them is a rule that prohibits the sale of free open-source apps on the platform. “The phrasing of the new policy is broad enough that it covers legitimate applications being sold by the makers of the apps. This led to criticism from several members of the developer community”. (via Windows Central)

Giorgio Sardo, Microsoft’s General Manager of Apps, Partners, and the Microsoft Store indicated that this policy was in place to help them protect their customers from “misleading listings”. While this is important and helps them assert quality control, the move still edges out legitimate companies that put up their open-source apps for sale to earn some income.

We absolutely want to support developers distributing successfully OSS apps. In fact there are already fantastic OSS apps in the Store! The goal of this policy is to protect customers from misleading listings. Thanks for feedback, we will review to make sure the intent is clear

— Giorgio Sardo (@gisardo)July 6, 2022

Sardo’s remarks were a response to atweet by ani bettsthat indicated, “I suspect this was designed to catch scammers that lazily repackage FOSS software for $$, probably needs an exception for the copyright owners.” Giorgio further indicated that Microsoft will work on the wording of the new policy to establish clarity.

Microsoft’s intention is to have the app store open as it already supportsWin32 apps,Android apps, and PWA apps such as theOfficial Reddit PWA. that we saw make its way to the Windows 11 App store. However, prohibiting the sale of free open-source apps in the Microsoft Store that are listed for free elsewhere changes this narrative completely. Be sure to also check out our expert guide where we unpack some of thebiggest changes that have made it to the app store.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Microsoft explains why it is prohibiting the sale of free open-source apps in the Microsoft Store