WinStorePackager

GUI tool for preparing Python apps for the Microsoft Store — Manifest, Icons, and MSIX package at the click of a button

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Features

Feature	Description
Manifest Generator	Automatically creates AppxManifest.xml from form inputs
Icon Generator	All required Store sizes: 44×44, 50×50, 150×150, 310×310, 310×150 (Wide)
Keyring Integration	Secure storage of certificate passwords (no plaintext)
Screenshot Assistant	Captures app screenshots directly via pygetwindow
11 Store Categories	Predefined (Games, Productivity, Developer Tools, ...)
Age Ratings	3+ to 18+ ratings
MSIX Build	Invokes makeappx.exe and signtool.exe from the Windows SDK
Settings Persistence	Configuration is saved in JSON and loaded on next launch
Auto-Install	Missing dependencies are automatically installed

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Screenshot

The current UI combines manifest fields, icon generation, screenshot capture, and MSIX build preparation in one desktop workflow.

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Prerequisites

• Python 3.10+
• Windows 10/11
• Windows SDK (for makeappx.exe and signtool.exe)
• Microsoft Store developer account (for submission)

pip install -r requirements.txt

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Installation

git clone https://github.com/file-bricks/WinStorePackager.git
cd WinStorePackager
pip install -r requirements.txt
python WindowsStorePublisher_3.py

Or on Windows, double-click START.bat.

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Getting Started

1. Launch the tool — python WindowsStorePublisher_3.py or START.bat
2. Enter app data — Name, Publisher ID, version, path to .py file
3. Select icon — the tool automatically generates all Store sizes
4. Generate manifest — AppxManifest.xml is created
5. Build MSIX — Tool invokes makeappx.exe and creates the package
6. Sign — Select certificate, enter password securely via Keyring

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Configuration

On first launch, settings_store_packager.json is created locally and ignored by Git. It may contain local Publisher IDs, certificate paths, Windows SDK paths, and other machine-specific settings. Template:

{
  "app_name": "MyApp",
  "publisher": "CN=YOUR-PUBLISHER-ID",
  "publisher_display": "Your Name",
  "version": "1.0.0.0",
  "makeappx_path": "C:/Program Files (x86)/Windows Kits/10/App Certification Kit/makeappx.exe",
  "signtool_path": "C:/Program Files (x86)/Windows Kits/10/App Certification Kit/signtool.exe"
}

You can find your Publisher ID in the Microsoft Partner Center.

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Local Data and Build Artifacts

WinStorePackager works on local project files only. Generated MSIX packages, EXE builds, temporary staging folders, local settings, certificates, and release bundles are intentionally ignored by Git and should be distributed through GitHub Releases, Microsoft Store submissions, or another release channel instead of source commits.

If dependencies are missing, the launcher can install Python packages from PyPI via pip. After dependencies are installed, the packaging workflow itself runs locally and uses the Windows SDK tools configured on your machine.

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Comparison with Alternatives

Feature	WinStorePackager	MSIX Packaging Tool	Visual Studio	Advanced Installer
GUI	✅	⚠️	✅	✅
Python Focus	✅	❌	❌	❌
Auto-Icons	✅	❌	⚠️	✅
Manifest Template	✅	❌	✅	✅
Free	✅	✅	⚠️	❌
Screenshot Assistant	✅	❌	❌	❌
Keyring Security	✅	❌	❌	❌

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License

Dieses Projekt steht unter der MIT License.

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English

A GUI tool for preparing Python applications for the Microsoft Store (MSIX packaging).

Features

• MSIX package creation
• App manifest generation
• Icon and asset management
• Store submission preparation

Installation

git clone https://github.com/file-bricks/WinStorePackager.git
cd WinStorePackager
pip install -r requirements.txt
python "WindowsStorePublisher_3.py"

License

See LICENSE for details.

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Haftung / Liability

Dieses Projekt ist eine unentgeltliche Open-Source-Schenkung im Sinne der §§ 516 ff. BGB. Die Haftung des Urhebers ist gemäß § 521 BGB auf Vorsatz und grobe Fahrlässigkeit beschränkt. Ergänzend gilt der Haftungsausschluss der MIT License.

Nutzung auf eigenes Risiko. Keine Wartungszusage, keine Verfügbarkeitsgarantie, keine Gewähr für Fehlerfreiheit oder Eignung für einen bestimmten Zweck.

This project is an unpaid open-source donation. Liability is limited to intent and gross negligence (§ 521 German Civil Code). Use at your own risk. No warranty, no maintenance guarantee, no fitness-for-purpose assumed.