Merge pull request #5724 from MicrosoftDocs/IpsitaChoudhary-FAQ

Updating FAQ section

Author: GrantMeStrength

hub/apps/publish/engage-with-your-customers.md

@@ -10,28 +10,10 @@ ms.localizationpriority: medium
 
 Drive customer engagement and satisfaction by using features like targeted offers, and responses to reviews. [Partner Center](https://partner.microsoft.com/dashboard) includes these features and more to help you drive customer engagement and satisfaction.
 
-:::row:::
-    :::column:::
-        ![Targeted Offers](images/engage-phone-truck.png)
-    :::column-end:::
-    :::column span="2":::
-**Targeted Offers**
-
-Show attractive, personalized content to specific segments of your customers to increase engagement, retention, and monetization.
-
-[Promote offers](use-targeted-offers-to-maximize-engagement-and-conversions.md)
-
-:::row:::
-    :::column:::
-        ![Targeted push notifications](images/engage-push-notifications.png)
-    :::column-end:::
-    :::column span="2":::
-**Targeted push notifications**
-
-Use the dashboard to create and send push notifications to segments of your app’s customers, tailoring each notification for each audience.
-
-**Respond to reviews**
+## Targeted Offers
+Show attractive, personalized content to specific segments of your customers to increase engagement, retention, and monetization.View more details to [Promote offers](use-targeted-offers-to-maximize-engagement-and-conversions.md)
 
+## Respond to reviews
 Follow up and connect with your customers by responding publicly or privately to their reviews. You can submit your responses either in the dashboard or by using our REST API.
 
 [Respond to reviews](respond-to-customer-reviews.md)
@@ -42,6 +24,5 @@ Follow up and connect with your customers by responding publicly or privately to
 
 Keep tabs on your customer engagement activities by using these features and reports.
 
-- [Create customer groups](create-customer-groups.md)
 - [Reviews report](reviews-report.md)
 - [Get analytics data using our REST API](/windows/uwp/monetize/access-analytics-data-using-windows-store-services)

hub/apps/publish/faq/get-started-with-the-microsoft-store.md

@@ -18,33 +18,19 @@ Having a developer account gives you access to the Windows Apps & Games dashboar
 
 ---
 
-<details>
-<summary><strong>How do I register for a Microsoft Store developer account? What are the main steps?</strong></summary>
-To open a developer account, you will sign up through Partner Center and provide some information. The process is straightforward:
-
-- **Sign in with a Microsoft account:** Go to the Partner Center registration page and sign in with your Microsoft account (or create one if needed). This Microsoft account will be used to log in to your developer dashboard.
-- **Join the developer program:** During registration, select the Windows and Xbox program – this enrolls you as a Windows app developer.
-- **Choose account type and country:** Specify your account type (Individual or Company) and your country/region. Note that the country/region cannot be changed later.
-- **Provide publisher details:** Enter a Publisher Display Name – this is the name shown to customers in the Store. You’ll also provide contact info (address, email, etc.) for verification.
-- **Accept terms and pay the fee:** Accept the Microsoft App Developer Agreement and pay the one-time registration fee (approximately $19 USD for individuals or $99 USD for companies, depending on your country).
-- **Verify your email and account:** You’ll receive a verification email after payment. Confirm your email to finalize the account creation. Once complete, you can begin the app submission process.
-</details>
-
----
-
 <details>
 <summary><strong>What are the main benefits of distributing my app through the Microsoft Store?</strong></summary>
 
-The Microsoft Store provides access to a vast user base of over a billion Windows customers across more than 200 markets and 100 languages. Beyond reach, the Store also offers various promotion and marketing tools such as:
+The Microsoft Store provides access to a vast user base of over a billion Windows customers across more than 240 markets and 110 languages. Beyond reach, the Store also offers various promotion and marketing tools such as:
 
-- **Microsoft Store Ads** to target users by intent  
 - **Curated collections** and **editorial features** that highlight apps in Store spotlight areas  
 - Built-in **search discoverability** for relevant categories
+- Deep integration with Windows (Windows search, share dialog, launch from Store etc.)
 
 Additionally, when you publish through the Microsoft Store, your app benefits from a rich ecosystem of services and infrastructure managed by Microsoft, including:
 
 - **App distribution** — Hosted and paid by Microsoft, making deployment and availability seamless.
-- **In-app purchase and promotion services** — Integrated Microsoft Store services like promo codes and notifications.
+- **In-app purchase and promotion services** — Integrated Microsoft Store services like promo codes and in-app purchases.
 - **Billing and download support** — Microsoft provides direct customer support for transactional and technical issues.
 - **Marketing resources** — Access to product page promotion, campaigns, and Store placement tools.
 - **Software updates** — Updates are delivered automatically through Windows, ensuring users always have the latest version.
@@ -79,12 +65,11 @@ Apps are digitally signed, encrypted, and run in a sandboxed environment to prot
 <details>
 <summary><strong>What revenue and commerce options are available if I publish to the Store?</strong></summary>
 
-Developers publishing non-gaming apps can use their **own commerce platform and keep 100% of the revenue**, or opt for Microsoft’s system with a competitive revenue share. Supported monetization models include:
+Developers publishing non-gaming apps can **use their own commerce platform and keep 100% of the revenue**. Developers can also use **Microsoft’s commerce platform and pay a competitive fee of 12% for games and 15% for apps**. Supported monetization models include:
 
 - **In-app purchases**
 - **Subscriptions**
 - **Advertising**
-- **User tipping/donations**
 
 This flexibility makes the Microsoft Store suitable for a wide range of app business models.
 
@@ -101,6 +86,7 @@ Once your app is live, Partner Center provides robust analytics covering:
 - **User engagement and usage**
 - **App health and crash data**
 - **Ratings and reviews**
+- **Add-on acquisitions**
 
 You can filter by market, date, device type, and more. Data can be exported as CSV or TSV files for offline use, or accessed via APIs for integration into custom dashboards.
 
@@ -113,7 +99,6 @@ You can filter by market, date, device type, and more. Data can be exported as C
 
 Developers can distribute apps privately to specific organizations using:
 
-- **Microsoft Store for Business/Education** (for private listings)
 - **Microsoft Intune** (for managed deployments)
 - **Line-of-business (LOB)** licensing (for exclusive use inside an enterprise)
 
@@ -124,15 +109,11 @@ Apps can be distributed via **online or offline licenses**, providing flexibilit
 ---
 
 <details>
-<summary><strong>How does publishing to the Store help with app updates and user migration?</strong></summary>
-
-The Microsoft Store handles **automatic app updates**, ensuring that users always run the latest version. For developers moving from **web-distributed or unpackaged apps**, Microsoft provides:
+<summary><strong>What are the different types of apps that can be distributed on Store?</strong></summary>
 
-- **Guidance for migration**
-- **Support for preventing dual installs**
-- **Tools to transition users seamlessly**
+Apps be packaged as **MSIX** or **MSI** formats can be distributed through the Microsoft Store. Both types provide secure, reliable, and efficient installation experiences, simplified updates, and clean uninstalls. They supports both modern and classic Windows apps.
 
-This helps simplify version management and reduces friction during upgrades or transitions from legacy installs.
+We recommend packaging your app (which is built with any app framework - UWP, Win32, PWA, WinApp SDK etc.), as **MSIX**. By packaging your app as MSIX, you can take advantages of many features like a complimentary binary hosting (provided by Microsoft), complementary code signing (provided by Microsoft), Microsoft Store commerce platform, package flighting, advanced integration with Windows (to use features like share dialog, launch from Store etc), Windows 11 backup and restore etc.
 
 </details>
 
@@ -154,6 +135,20 @@ Violations can result in failed submissions or removal from the Store. Microsoft
 
 ---
 
+<details>
+<summary><strong>How do I register for a Microsoft Store developer account? What are the main steps?</strong></summary>
+To open a developer account, you will sign up through Partner Center and provide some information. The process is straightforward:
+
+- **Sign in with a Microsoft account:** Go to the Partner Center registration page and sign in with your Microsoft account (or create one if needed). This Microsoft account will be used to log in to your developer dashboard.
+- **Join the developer program:** During registration, select the Windows and Xbox program – this enrolls you as a Windows app developer.
+- **Choose account type and country:** Specify your account type (Individual or Company) and your country/region. Note that the country/region cannot be changed later.
+- **Provide publisher details:** Enter a Publisher Display Name – this is the name shown to customers in the Store. You’ll also provide contact info (address, email, etc.) for verification.
+- **Accept terms and pay the fee:** Accept the Microsoft App Developer Agreement and pay the one-time registration fee (approximately $99 USD for companies, depending on your country. For individual companies, please see [Free developer registration for individual developers](../whats-new-individual-developer.md) section).
+- **Verify your email and account:** You’ll receive a verification email after payment. Confirm your email to finalize the account creation. Once complete, you can begin the app submission process.
+</details>
+
+---
+
 <details>
 <summary><strong>How can I get help from Microsoft if I run into problems with Partner Center or my app?</strong></summary>
 
@@ -163,9 +158,7 @@ You can contact Microsoft Support through **Partner Center**:
 2. Select **Contact Support** from the Help panel.
 3. Fill in the support ticket with relevant details (e.g., app name, issue type).
 
-After submission, track the request under **Help + support**. Microsoft will follow up by email or the online portal. Use the correct issue category for faster resolution (e.g., "Payout issues" or "Submission failure").
-
-For general questions, you can also use Microsoft Q&A forums or check the Learn documentation. However, for urgent or account-related issues, always submit a support ticket through Partner Center.
+For general questions, you can also use Microsoft Q&A forums or check the Learn documentation. However, for urgent or account-related issues, always submit a support ticket through Partner Center. You can also reach out to [email protected] for Certification related queries.
 
 </details>
 

hub/apps/publish/faq/leverage-developer-tools.md

@@ -101,15 +101,6 @@ Once certified, only your selected testers receive the update, while other users
 
 ---
 
-<details>
-<summary><strong>How should I package my app for distribution?</strong></summary>
-
-Apps should be packaged using the **MSIX** or **MSI** formats for distribution through the Microsoft Store. Both types provide secure, reliable, and efficient installation experiences, simplified updates, and clean uninstalls. They supports both modern and classic Windows apps.
-
-</details>
-
----
-
 <details>
 <summary><strong>How can I use promo codes to promote my app and what types are available?</strong></summary>
 
@@ -142,47 +133,13 @@ Users clicking your badge will then automatically download and launch your app i
 
 ---
 
-<details>
-<summary><strong>What is WNS and how do I use it?</strong></summary>
-
-**WNS (Windows Push Notification Service)** is Microsoft's notification service for Windows apps. It allows apps to receive and display push notifications, such as toast notifications, tile updates, and badge updates. Notifications are routed via Microsoft's cloud infrastructure, delivering timely updates even when the app isn't actively running.
-
-
-Sending notifications via WNS involves these steps:
-
-1. **App obtains channel URI**: Your app requests a unique channel URI from WNS.
-2. **Server receives URI**: Your app sends the URI to your backend server.
-3. **Authenticate**: Your server authenticates with WNS using OAuth credentials.
-4. **Send notification**: Your server sends the notification to the channel URI using WNS.
-5. **Client receives notification**: The device receives and displays the notification.
-
-</details>
-
----
-
-<details>
-<summary><strong>What are the advantages of using MSIX?</strong></summary>
-
-Advantages of MSIX include:
-
-- **Reliable installations and clean uninstallations**
-- **Optimized network usage** with differential updates
-- **Efficient storage management** through shared resources
-- **Enhanced security** with digital signing and app isolation
-- **Universal deployment** across various distribution channels and easy integration into IT management tools.
-
-</details>
-
----
-
 <details>
 <summary><strong>What tools does Microsoft offer to engage customers?</strong></summary>
 
 Microsoft provides several tools to engage customers via Partner Center, including:
 
 - **Create customer groups** that include a subset of your app's customers for promotion, testing, and other purposes
 - **Targeted offers** for personalized promotions
-- **Product page experiments** (A/B testing) to optimize features
 - **Respond to reviews** mechanisms for customer relationship management
 
 These tools allow developers to enhance user engagement, retention, and satisfaction.
@@ -194,7 +151,7 @@ These tools allow developers to enhance user engagement, retention, and satisfac
 <details>
 <summary><strong>Can I respond to customer reviews?</strong></summary>
 
-Yes. Developers can respond directly to customer reviews through Partner Center. Public responses appear alongside reviews on the Store page, while a private email copy can be sent to reviewers (if applicable). Engaging professionally and constructively with reviews can greatly improve customer relations and foster a positive community around your app.
+Yes. Developers can respond directly to customer reviews through Partner Center. Public responses appear alongside reviews on the Store page. Engaging professionally and constructively with reviews can greatly improve customer relations and foster a positive community around your app.
 
 </details>
 
@@ -207,9 +164,7 @@ The Microsoft Store submission API enables developers to automate app management
 
 - Creating and submitting new app updates.
 - Uploading and managing app packages.
-- Managing package flights.
 - Updating metadata and Store listings.
-- Handling submissions for add-ons.
 
 You can integrate this API into your continuous integration or build workflows, automating routine tasks to streamline your publishing process.