Introduction
In this article, I will talk about working with Windows App Studio Beta which is used for developing an application without the need of any coding knowledge. This article is for beginners who are passionate about developing an application in Windows but lack coding knowledge
App Studio is a website that offers students, beginners, and developers a way to build their apps without using a development IDE. Some of the development IDEs are Visual Studio, SQL database and some APIs that convert an application into business applications.
By using Windows App Studio, developers are able to develop applications for Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and UWP application for Windows 10.
"Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability" Edsger W.Dijkstra
To get started, the following are some of the things needed to develop an application using App Studio.
- The Internet with minimum bandwidth
- Chrome or Mozilla browser with the latest patch
- Developer Account
To develop an application, App Studio doesn’t require coding skills. To develop an application, you need the following things.
- Have an Idea
- Add Content
- Choose the style
- Use it
Have an Idea
If you have an idea, compare it with already available applications to check whether the application is available in the marketplace or not. If not, choose that one and increase the features that users need.
Your idea should be unique and you should gather some ideas while you are working on the application.
Add Content
Add content module plays a major role because application quality stands on the content also. If the content check is passed, your application is downloaded more for gathering information and it should be promoted as the best app or most picked.
Choose Style
Application UI is also a most needed requirement because the content and style make a huge impact. Here, we are able to choose the background from color palettes, background image, icons, and live tiles.
Use It
We have developed an application using Windows App Studio. Now, we are able to share, install, and edit the source by using the famous Visual Studio and publish the app on Windows Store marketplace, if you have a Windows Store account.
Panorama and Hub Control
Panorama is a navigation helper used in Windows phone apps for switching between pages. A Panorama consists of a list of sections the user will be able to view when he/she opens an app.
Background
To create an application, log into Windows App Studio using valid Microsoft accounts, such as Outlook or Hotmail. If your login is successful, you will be navigated to the homepage or dashboard, as shown below.
Creating a New Project
For creating a New Project, click “Start Now” or “Start New” to create an application using App Studio. Now, you will be redirected to the login page; it is still not logged into your account.
![]()
Now, you are on the start page to create an application. In Start New, we can select Windows version in which we are developing an application. Here, we are able to select Windows 10 or Windows 8.1.
If we have selected Windows targeting version, then templates for developing appear. Select a template in which you need to develop an application.
Selecting a Template
Hosted Web App Template
A hosted web app is an app in which the website is integrated to use within Windows app. Choosing Hosted web app is the easiest way to turn a web app into Windows app. That one is a great fit.
Content Template
The content template creates an app that can run on Windows devices without the need of any internet. This type of app is easily created by using data sources such as photo Album, bing, HTML, RSS and Facebook etc.
Empty Web App
An Empty web app allows us to built an application by adding data sources and by adding sections. Here we require creativity skills.
Predefined Web App
Creating a predefined web app allows us to develop an application with the already generated samples. Here we are able to add the content, layouts and we are able to add sections. Click on template tile to display more information.
Building an Application
After we select template then type the Name of the Application and click Start with this one. The alternative is we will be able to select preview device also.
If successful you will be navigated to your App dashboard as shown below. App dashboard consists of 4 tabs such as
- Contents
- Themes
- Tiles
- Settings
Default or active tab is Contents tab. This tab allows us to edit the application content. In our application, some contents are already generated by the vendor. So if you need to add a new content use the Add sections to add the new contents to your application.
If you wish to edit an already available content click on the Edit option that is available under Content section. Now you will be navigated to the page associated with the content page then edit the changes and click Save button to commit the changes.
![]()
Now click Theme tab to change the appearance of the application by changing the foreground and background color and click Preview button to review the changes and click save button to save the changes.
Now click Tile tab and configure the tile and select default tile option and select any section that contains images and text and review the changes and click save button to save the changes.
Changing App Logo
To change the app logo click on the top of the Left corner to change app logo. Here our app logo is Intelligentapp. The corresponding App Logo page appears then click on the App icon to change the new icon as shown below.
Then file open dialog appears, then select the desired location of the file and click Ok and then it automatically updates the new logo in the Splash screen, wide, square, store logo and small. Finally, click Save button to save the App logo.
![]()
![]()
Publish an app in store
To publish an app in the Windows store we need a developer account. If you are a student you will be able to get a developer account free from Microsoft imagine. To verify a student status you need to upload an academic year mark sheet or your Identity card. Normally this process takes two business days.
Just log in to Windows developer account by clicking the link
Now click create a new app button available in the developer dashboard, as shown below.
In the new app creation wizard register your app name and check the availability of the name in windows marketplace. If app name is available click reserve app name to register an app name in windows store.
Once the app dashboard appears, scroll down and find app identity. Then click view identity details.
Corresponding app identity page appears then make a note of the values such as
- Package/Identity/Name
- Package/Identity/Publisher
- Package/Properties/PublisherDisplayName
Now navigate to App studio and click settings tab and settings page appears then you will be able to find Package.manifest from that edit App title, Language, and description.
Finally, fill the store association values such as
- Package/Identity/Name
- Package/Identity/Publisher
- Package/Properties/PublisherDisplayName
- App display Name
Then, click "Save and finish" button.
Once you hit the Finish button, you will be navigated to app generation page. From the generation page, click "Generate" button to generate an app, as shown below.
Then, select "Publish packages and installable packages" and click "Generate" button.
It takes sometime in App Studio portal. Finally, the application is generated and you will be able to download the source code, install-able packages, and publish packages.
By using Visual Studio, you will be able to edit the source code for feature purposes. The installable package is installed on the desktop by using the Windows App Studio Installer's free Microsoft app.
Publish Package is downloaded from App Studio portal, which is to be uploaded in Windows Store for app certification process.
Congrats! now we have been successfully developed Universal Application. After downloaded publish package then extract the publish package. The extracted publish package contains screen shots, publish package and readme files.
Login to start the app submission process in windows dev Center
Now dashboard appears then select your application that is listed in the dashboard page.
Now you will be navigated to App dashboard in that click start your submission button start the process.
Now we are in the submission 1
Pricing and availability – choose the base price for our windows app and Trial mode and click Save Button. (Completed)
Properties
Category and subcategory of the application.
Product Description – default selection
System Requirements – Here we need to specify hardware features that are required to run your application on client Machine.
Age Rating – To complete Age rating we need to complete International Age Rating coalition questions.
Then additional one is South Korean Laws and clicks save and generate option.
Package Upload – Upload your .appxbundle package to complete this submission or simply drag the selected file mentioned in the submission page.
Once upload completed your will be able to review the device families as shown below.
Store Listing – Add a description, release note and app screenshots and copyright name etc. and click save button.
Notes for submission – provide a description to the testers to check the application and click save.
Now all the 6 Steps that is now completed and finally click Submit to store option
Finally, you will be navigated to submission 1 certification page as shown below.
It takes three days to publish an application in windows store.
Companion Tools
Featured Apps
![]()
Resources
The following are some of the resources available for Teachers and Developers.
| Resources Available For Teachers And Developers |
| 5 Hour App studio curriculum at App studio education | ClickHere |
| Easily and Quickly create an application for Small Business client | ClickHere |
| Web App to window App in 5 Min using App studio | ClickHere |
| Saving development time using windows App studio | ClickHere |
| Extend an app using Visual Studio | ClickHere |
| Publishing an app to windows marketplace | ClickHere |
| Generating and sideloading in windows 8.1 Apps | ClickHere |
Conclusion
In this article, we learned about developing an application using App Studio. I hope you enjoyed reading this article. Thanks for reading.
Happy Coding!