Windows® Marketplace Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need help with Windows Marketplace for Mobile? Find answers to development and application certification questions here.

Getting Started
What is Windows Marketplace for Mobile?
When can customers access Windows Marketplace for Mobile to search for and purchase applications?
Will Windows Marketplace for Mobile be offered on phones that don’t run Windows Mobile?
Is there a registration fee for ISVs to participate in Windows Marketplace for Mobile?
Is there a registration fee for submitting an app to the certification process?
Why are you charging so much more than the competition for certification?
Will I have to pay the $99 fee again to submit an application update?
What is the Independent Software Vendor vetting process?
How can I request a waiver for the Windows Marketplace Application Submission Criteria?
What categories are available for my app?
Can I list my app in multiple application categories?
Can I sell themes, wallpaper, widgets, and other forms of content besides apps?
What types of apps are not allowed? Can I sell Java apps?
What are the Windows Marketplace content policies?
Can developers from any country/ region submit their applications to Windows Marketplace?
Registration
How do I update my account information after my initial setup?
Why do I have to validate my email address?
Can I register with Windows Marketplace as an individual, or is registration only available to companies?
Can I search to see if my company is already registered with Windows Marketplace for Mobile?
Who should register from our company, someone technical or someone with a business orientation?
I’m a developer. Do I need to have a Windows Live ID to create an account on Windows Marketplace for Mobile?
How will I know if I’ve registered successfully?
I registered but did not receive a confirmation email. How do I know if I'm registered?
What does “Publisher Unverified” mean and how do I get verified?
My credit card is valid but I’m unable to successfully pay for registration. What should I do?
What is an MSPP ID?
What about the Designed for Windows Mobile and Mobile2Market Programs?
I’m an ISV. When will my account be activated?
What does account status mean?
Does the corporate approver need to contact Geotrust directly?
Guidelines for the Publisher Name and Latin Publisher Name fields
Developing Your App
Can ISVs target specific phone models?
Guidelines for Developing Widgets
My application passed an earlier version of the Designed for Windows Mobile standards. Can I list it on Windows Marketplace?
My application requires a server component (i.e., logs into a server for data/authentication/etc.). How do I test this for certification and what additional information should I provide?
Should I include Read Me or Help files in my app?
What's the difference between normal and privileged mode code signing?
What is the maximum file size for installation .cabs?
Testing Your App
What is certification?
What technical certification criteria does my app need to pass?
Is the cost of testing and certification $99 per app or per .cab file?
How long does the certification process take?
I want to submit more than one app to Windows Marketplace. Can I purchase testing and certification in bulk?
What happens if my app fails to pass the certification testing?
I’m ready to submit my app. Where can I find the Application Provider Agreement and Terms of Use?
What file formats do you accept? Can I submit my app as an .exe file?
Will I receive a certificate to sign my application or do I need to purchase a certificate?
Will you certify applications designed for Windows Mobile 6?
Should I test on multiple devices?
Submitting Your App
Do I need to submit my app through the Windows Mobile Developer portal?
Can I submit an application designed for one specific Windows Mobile OS version?
What information should I enter in the Release Notes section of the submission form?
What do I enter in the ISV Build number section of the submission data?
What types of icons and screenshots am I required to include with my submission?
Do I need to submit all screen sizes?
Is there a way to duplicate my app submissions for different phone types?
How do I cancel an application submission?
Can I charge for updates or upgrades to my app?
Can I submit my application to multiple markets?
Distributing Your App
Am I required to distribute my applications designed for Windows(r) phones in Marketplace?
As new phones are launched will I have a chance to target them with my existing app without having to be recertified?
Can a user reinstall my app on multiple phones?
Pricing
What is the minimum and maximum price for selling an app?
Is subscription-based pricing supported?
What happens if a customer returns my application for a refund?
What do the different status for payouts in the Dashboard mean?
Promoting Your App
Can I offer my customers coupons and discount codes?
I recently upgraded my app with some new features and I want to let my customers know about these improvements. How does Microsoft notify customers of upgrades and updates?
Will Windows Marketplace let me know the total number of downloads for each of my apps?
Will Web links/URLs be available to ISVs that want to promote their apps in Marketplace in their own marketing efforts, blogs, etc.?
Can I sell my application outside of my country or region without localization?
Showcase and Featured App Placement
How are applications promoted in Windows Marketplace for Mobile?
How are applications selected for promotion within Windows Marketplace?
Can I apply for “Showcase” / featured listings? Do I have the option of purchasing a slot?
How can I add my application to the list of featured icons on the Windows Marketplace home screen?
Are certain applications more likely to be promoted than others?
Will free applications be included in the “Showcase”/featured listings?
How long are applications promoted in “Showcase”/featured listings?
How many applications are featured in “Showcase” at a given time?
How many applications are featured in the category/subcategory slots at a given time?
Is any additional information required for “Showcase”/featured placement?
Will Microsoft create any graphics to showcase my application? If so, will you contact me first for approval?
As an ISV, am I notified when my application is promoted in “Showcase,” included as a featured icon from the home screen, or listed as featured within my application’s respective category/subcategory?
When applications are highlighted in “Showcase”/featured listings, do they also remain in their standard subcategory/category listing?
Does the online sales reporting tool break-out sales that are generated by the “Showcase”/featured placement from those that are generated by the standard category/subcategory listing?
Can I opt to exclude my application from “Showcase”/featured listings?
How can I improve the visibility of my application within Windows Marketplace?
Are there other merchandising opportunities outside of the “Showcase”/featured placement listings?
Payments
How do I register to get paid?
What information do I need to provide when I register?
How and when will I be paid by Microsoft once my app is live on Windows Marketplace for Mobile?
What bank information should I provide?
What countries or regions do you support payments to?
Why can’t I find my country/region during signup?
Is there a minimum payout limit for a developer to receive payment?
What conditions does my business need to meet to be exempted from the EU VAT?
Should I wait to get my US ITIN before sending you my Form W-8?
Can I receive a refund of the US tax withholding?
Does Microsoft provide any tax advice?
What tax forms do U.S.-based developers need to complete to receive payments?
What tax forms do non U.S.-based developers need to complete to receive payments?
What is the appropriate W-8 form for non-U.S. based developers?
Foreign Markets
Will Windows Marketplace for Mobile be available in all countries/regions that Windows Mobile is available in?
Can I sell my app in a foreign market?
How do I sell my apps in foreign markets?
I designed my certified app to support multiple languages and now I want to sell it in a different market. Do I need to pay the certification fee to certify again?
Why do I need to price my application in all currencies?
I don't like the price points that were suggested, can I select my own price?
Do I need a new .cab file for every region I want to localize in?
What are the accepted formats for VAT numbers?
Additional Questions
Can I distribute an application that was created by another party?
Can customers, OEMs, or mobile operators remove the Windows Marketplace for Mobile client from phones?
After my app has been approved, can it be removed from Windows Marketplace?
I suspect that someone is violating my intellectual property rights. How do I report this?
I rely on activation codes to not only register the app, but to gather user information for support. How will this be addressed in Marketplace?
Is “in app commerce” supported?
Is try-before-you-buy supported?
How do I create a trial application?
Can I contact the users of my free applications to provide them with an activation or registration code for the paid application?
What kinds of tracking lists are available? (e.g., top downloads, top free/paid, top sellers, staff picks, featured app of the day)
Am I required to use the Microsoft ad platform? Can I implement my own advertising or use another partner’s platform?
Support
Where can ISVs find technical support during the product submission stage?
What level of support are ISVs required to provide? What type of help is acceptable?
Does Microsoft hold ISVs accountable for fulfilling our Service Level Agreements? Can we be penalized?
Are ISVs required to provide support for free applications?
If one of my apps is pulled from Windows Marketplace, am I still required to support my existing customers?
Do ISVs ever work on support issues with the MO or with CSS?
If I do not renew my annual subscription, will my apps be removed from Windows Marketplace?