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Desktop Bridge

Bring existing apps and games to the Windows Store.

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Ready to submit your app to the Windows Store? Let us know.

Benefits of the Desktop Bridge

Streamlined deployment Users can confidently install and update apps and games that use the Desktop Bridge. And developers spend less time authoring setup experiences and keeping users up to date.

Greater reach and simpler monetization Distributing through the Windows Store lets you reach millions of Windows 10 users who can acquire apps, games, and in-app purchases with local payment options.

More opportunities across devices Using the Desktop Bridge, you can gradually migrate your code to the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) to reach every Windows 10 device, including phones, Xbox One, and HoloLens.

Convert your apps and games so your users have smooth installation and update experiences. Then distribute through the Windows Store or keep using your existing channels. Finally, modernize with the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) to increase user engagement and reach all Windows devices.

	Convert desktop solution	Distribute through Windows Store	Modernize with UWP
Simplified setup authoring
Differential updates
No malware injection
Clean uninstallation
Trustworthy distribution
Auto-updates for users
Global distribution
Easier monetization
Modernize the experience
Gradually migrate
Move away from monolithic solutions
Reach all Windows devices

Get started

Documentation
Learn more about how to bring your application across the Desktop Bridge.
Conversion options
Explore the various ways to convert your application—by using the Desktop App Converter tool, using a third-party installer, or manually.
Desktop Bridge app extensions
Learn how to use extensions in your converted desktop application to run startup tasks, integrate with File Explorer, add app-execution aliases, and work with various file types and protocol associations.
Debugging
Find information to help you succeed in debugging your application or game using Visual Studio.
Distribution
Learn about options for deploying your application once you’ve converted it.
How the Desktop Bridge works
Take a deeper dive into how the Desktop Bridge works under the covers.
Code samples
Browse complete code for a variety of Desktop Bridge scenarios on GitHub.
Developer guide to the Desktop Bridge
This course walks you through how to bring your existing desktop application to UWP via the desktop bridge, showing you how to convert, extend, enhance and migrate your app or game.

We're excited to bring our full-featured Evernote app to the Windows Store. The Desktop Bridge vastly simplifies our installer and uninstaller. It also opens up UWP APIs that we’ve taken advantage of, including the live tiles and notifications. And having the full-featured Evernote app in the Windows Store means future improvements will reach users faster.

Seth Hitchings, VP Engineering, Evernote