2
Possible Duplicate:
Install a Windows 8 Modern UI app without the Windows Store
We want to program for Windows 8 for Surface and have problems signing the software before installing for testing and giving a demo of final versions. It's wasting our time and energy.
Is it Microsoft's strategy that they only allow signed software on Surface?
saber tabatabaee yazdi
Posted 2013-01-02T09:30:08.747
Reputation: 1 323
3
Sideloading of Modern UI apps to Windows 8/Windows RT is possible. There are several restrictions/pre-requisites though.
You'll need either
With Windows 8 Pro, you can sideload Modern apps, albeit only if you have a Windows 8 developer license. The license is free, but you'll need to use PowerShell(or alternatively, install Visual Studio - which would be installed if you're actually developing an app anyway) to acquire the license.
Once PowerShell is launched as an Administrator, enter the below to acquire the license
Show-WindowsDeveloperLicenseRegistration
Click on Agree & login with your Microsoft Account to get the license. Once acquired, enter the below command to sideload the app
Add-AppxPackage C:\example.appx
replacing example.appx with name of you package.
For Windows 8 Pro without a developer license or for Windows RT/Windows 8 Enterprise, you'll need to acquire a sideloading activation key. The activation key can be purchased from Microsoft. Once you've acquired the activation key, you'll need to register it by opening the command prompt and type the following:
slmgr /ipk <activation-key>
replacing <activation-key> with the activation key.
Alternatively, if you have Windows 8 Enterprise which is joined to an Active Directory domain, the domain needs to have Allow all trusted applications to install Group Policy setting enabled. Here's how you can enable the Group Policy:
- Open the Group Policy editor (gpedit.msc).
- Under Local Computer Policy, click on Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and then App Package Deployment.
- Double-click the Allow all trusted apps to install setting.
- In the Allow all trusted apps to install window, click Enabled and then click OK.
Once the key has been activated or the Group Policy has been added, you can sideload by typing:
Add-AppxPackage C:\example.appx
Sathyajith Bhat
Posted 2013-01-02T09:30:08.747
Reputation: 58 436
1Which version of the Surface are we talking about exactly? Applications on the Windows RT Surface can only be installed through the Windows Store. Applications on the Surface Pro running Windows 8 Professional can install any application you want from any source. – Ramhound – 2013-01-02T11:55:17.387