Microsoft Store release

[Tienisto]

LocalSend was on the Microsoft Store in the past but on 27th February 2023, they removed the app without giving an exact reason.

This causes some trouble in the release process (winget in particular), so an alternative certificate authority is needed to sign the msix installer which costs extra money.

For windows users:
To get automatic updates: winget install LocalSend
To install "traditionally": Use the msix installer (coming soon, use 1.7.0 for now)
To have a portable version: Use the zip

This was their response after I asked them why they removed the app (and also the developer account!):

Hello,
Microsoft removed your developer account from the Microsoft Store based on good faith and reasonable evidence of activities that violate the terms of the account agreement.
The account agreement allows Microsoft to remove a Microsoft Store Account for abuse of the marketplace or failure to keep your account in good standing. Termination of your account results in the removal of associated application(s) from the store. Also, the account agreement allows Microsoft to remove an application from availability in the store for breach of the agreement or for any other reason.

We have determined that the removal of your account and published app(s) were warranted based on abusive and/or inappropriate activities. Please note that our decision is final, and when one account is in violation of the Agreement, we may also remove any related accounts.

Thank you,
Microsoft Store Team

The follow-up response after I asked them again:

Our reply in this email provides the grounds for the action, which are included in the terms of the Application Developer Agreement. This is the full extent of information that we can provide, which is consistent with the Agreement.

The developer account only contained LocalSend and no other app. So LocalSend is most likely causing this issue.

[TecnikOfficial]

please try to add windows store version its easier to install and update tht way ... and thank u for ur work really liked the app i switched from sendanywhere to ur app :)

[Tienisto]

I just contacted Microsoft again, same response.

[Tienisto]

This is weird. LocalSend is available on nearly every market place like Play Store, App Store and even Amazon Store. But Microsoft doesn't seem to like this app.

[rollingmoai]

How are we supposed to solve the issue? We don't even know the reason why!

[rollingmoai]

Did you try to reach out via a new e-mail to reportapp@microsoft.com?

[Tienisto]

Yes. This is the email address that I used.

Sadly, we can only hope that the Microsoft team changes their mind.

I could not compile the msix installer yet because I am still waiting for an approval of an alternative certificate authority. Installing and updating via msix is at least not that bad.

[NULL204]

In fact, I would prefer an EXE program pair installer rather than going through the Microsoft App Store, so why not consider making an EXE installer?

[NULL204]

I think Clash For Windows is a good example if we are thinking about the automatic update function

[Tienisto]

As I said, there will be a msix installer which is like a msi / exe installer but with only one button to press.

You can try the msix installer from the previous version (1.7.0) and you will see how it looks like. I would like to stay with that because generating msix is very easy in Flutter.

[TecnikOfficial]

ya msix is actually convenient then msi/exe installer well i will wait for 1.8.0 msix version till then i will use 1.7.0 ... although i really like the new apk send feature in new update keep it up bro nice work 👍🏼

[zdzym]

Can we have an exe installer which installs LocalSend as a desktop application but not a UWP app? I think it's more useful and convenient in some cases.

[SunshineboyZj]

Can you make an exe installer？UWP only can be Installed on C drive，Zip version cannot startup

[GanterFengDavid]

Windows 10 and 11 have the Nearby Sharing function. Maybe Microsoft think they are threatened by LocalSend. Haha