[Interest] Qt "Desktop App" for Microsoft Store

[Robert Iakobashvili]

Hi,
I'd like to thank the people of the list and particularly Ian Clark.

It was some red-tape at the side of MS, but finally our app
is inside.

Thanks a lot!
Kind regards,
Robert


On Wed, May 3, 2017 at 1:08 PM, Robert Iakobashvili <coroberti at gmail.com> wrote:
>> On 2 May 2017 at 08:02, Robert Iakobashvili <coroberti at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> On Tue, May 2, 2017 at 9:50 AM, Maurice Kalinowski
>>> <Maurice.Kalinowski at qt.io> wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>>>> As mentioned below, you cannot “just” push a desktop app (in Microsoft
>>>> terminology “classic application”) to the windows store. It has to be a
>>>> Universal App (what was declared WinRT once). If you are using Qt already,
>>>> the easiest is to recompile your application against Qt for WinRT and push
>>>> the generated appx.
>>>>
>>>> If however you still need a classic application, then you will need to jump
>>>> on Project Centennial and get your project converted. Please note, that
>>>> Project Centennial only converts your app, it might also remove features
>>>> which are not allowed for store applications (eg. regular file access). So
>>>> you will need to do extensive testing before publication. A reason to use
>>>> this approach might be non-ported dependency libraries.
>>>> From what we heard, the conversion is troublesome and complicated, not only
>>>> for Qt applications. In addition you are in a semi-supported hybrid state.
>>>> The recommendation is to first try Qt for WinRT and report if there are any
>>>> issues for you.
>>>> BR,
>>>>
>>>> Maurice
>>>
>>> Hi Maurice,
>>> Thank you for the valued information and experience shared.
>>>
>>>> it might also remove features
>>>> which are not allowed for store applications (eg. regular file access).
>>>
>>> Is it correct to say that a Store app cannot be an editor opening
>>> files in any location permitted,
>>> writing texts, Save As for the files etc. - complete sand-boxing like at iOS?
>>>
>>> Is there a way to get permissions to function as a simple editor?
>>>
>>> Is there Clipboard text/image exchange still allowed?
>
> On Wed, May 3, 2017 at 1:03 PM, Ian Clark <mrrooster at gmail.com> wrote:
>> On 2 May 2017 at 08:02, Robert Iakobashvili <coroberti at gmail.com> wrote:
>> [snip]
>>>
>>> Is it correct to say that a Store app cannot be an editor opening
>>> files in any location permitted,
>>> writing texts, Save As for the files etc. - complete sand-boxing like at iOS?
>>>
>> It depends on the app type.
>>
>> Apps built for the Windows runtime (WinRT apps) are heavily sandboxed
>> and restricted.
>>
>> Classic 'desktop' apps converted for the store have fewer
>> restrictions, and behave almost like their desktop counterparts.
>>
>> The restrictions on converted Win32 apps are outlined in more detail:
>>
>> https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/porting/desktop-to-uwp-behind-the-scenes
>>
>>> Is there a way to get permissions to function as a simple editor?
>>>
>> Coincidentally, the app I'm currently trying to submit is a text editor.
>>
>> My converted app installed and running locally is able to access all
>> the files that the standard desktop build can.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Ian
>
> Dear Ian,
> Thank you very much for your valued input clarifying this important
> point of file and Clipboard access.
>
> Kind regards,
> Robert