Windows 8.1 launches a world of opportunity for student developers. It is Windows made faster, more fluid and responsive to touch. And it puts apps and active live tiles at everyone’s fingertips

You can be a first mover in this amazing app revolution, and build Windows Store apps that could launch your career.

This guide will point you to the right developer tools, tutorials, and resources. Jump in. The next generation is what you make it!

Create apps for a new generation. Yours.

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1. Get your development tools.3 steps to build your Windows Store app.

The desktop in Windows 8.1 is very familiar for Windows 7 users, but you may not have seen the Start Page, Charms, or other unique features in the new Windows.

See our quick overview of Windows 8.1 here http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg00

NEW TO WINDOWS 8.1?

WINDOWS

1. GET YOUR DEVELOPER TOOLS

Download the software and tools you need at DreamSpark.com. It’s free for students.

2. BUILD AND TEST YOUR APP

We’ll point you to instructive videos, hands-on labs, sample code and more.

3. PUBLISH YOUR APP

Your app will be available to millions of people at the Windows Store.

IT’S EASY TO DO

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They’re fast, fluid and perfect for touch. Windows Store apps are at the center of everything you do. Uniquely, they appear as a ‘tile’ on the Windows Start screen.

Tap to open a Windows app and the content fills the entire computer screen. Content and function are the focus, while UI controls, decorations and distractions are minimized.

Discover what is unique to Windows that can set your app apart http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg04

Look at examples of beautifully designed Windows Store apps http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg05

Learn about the Windows design style http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg06

http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg07

START BY GETTING WINDOWS 8.1

Windows Store apps built for Windows 8.1 require the APIs available on Windows 8.1. Before you can start developing and testing Windows Store apps you must be running Windows 8.1.

Discover ways to get Windows 8.1. Choices include:

• Free with your school’s DreamSpark subscription

• Free 90-day trial

• Special student offers and upgrades

Learn more at DreamSpark: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg01

GET THE TOOLS

At DreamSpark, we packaged together all the software and tools you will need to create Windows 8.1 apps – at no charge to students. One click lets you download Visual Studio Professional 2013 including:

• Windows 8.1 Software Development Kit

• Blend for Visual Studio to create and edit user interfaces, animations, and more

• The Windows App Certification Kit (WACK) to test basic compliance of your apps

Use this collection of tools to create, code, debug, package, and publish your Windows Store apps.

Get your tools at DreamSpark: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg01

DON’T FORGET YOUR LICENSE

When you install Visual Studio 2013, you will be asked to get a developer license. To complete this step, you will need a Microsoft Account (http://aka.ms/w8gsg02).

For more information on the developer license, see this page: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg03

Note: In order to install the developer license, the user must be a Local Administrator on the computer.

WINDOWS

WHAT IS A WINDOWS STORE APP?

1. Get your development tools.

2. Build and test your app.

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CHOOSE A PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

The Windows Store development model offers choice. To build a Windows Store app, you can use a language you already know, or want to learn:

• HTML/JavaScript

• XAML/C#

• XAML/Visual Basic

• XAML/C++

• DirectX/C++

• DirectX/XAML/C++

GET HANDS-ON HELP

We have labs to help you create your first Windows Store app. Try the Lab Exercises from Chapter 1 and get a taste of success right from the start.

The labs are available in HTML/JavaScript or XAML/#C (.exe download). Download one or both.

• Download the HTML/JavaScript lab (Approximately 235MB): http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg08

• Download the XAML/C# lab (Approximately 250MB): http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg09

FIND HUNDREDS OF CODE SAMPLES

Check out this helpful overview (http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg10) from the Windows Dev Center. It covers everything from:

• Setting up

• Learning tools and templates

• Downloading hundreds of code samples: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg11

Watch a short video on the design principles for Windows 8 apps. GET INSPIRED

Before submitting your app, you must test it. You will find the Windows App Certification Kit (WACK) in the Windows SDK you downloaded at the very start.

Here’s how to test using the WACK:

- Compile your app and run it locally

- Get to your “all apps” list (swipe up or click the down arrow on your Start Screen)

- Search on “cert” and select the result for the Windows App Certification Kit (WACK)

- Run it and choose ‘Validate a Windows Store app’

- Select your custom app and select “next”. Follow the instructions in the app UI.

Note: To run the WACK on your app, you must have the app installed (Visual Studio does this each time you run the app), and the app must be compiled to release mode. If you compile to debug mode and run the WACK, you’ll receive one or more failures.

TESTING IS A SNAP

GET INSPIRED: Watch a short video on the design principles for Windows apps.

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GET YOUR REGISTRATION CODE Here’s how:

• Go to http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg12

• Follow the prompts to enroll. You can verify as a student using your school-issued email, DreamSpark registration code, or International student ID card.

• Once enrolled, get the Windows Store registration code. It’s free for verified students.

• Enroll in the Windows Store

• Instead of payment, simply enter the Registration Code you got from DreamSpark.

Note: a credit card is required for registration, but will not be charged if you have a registration code.

SUBMIT YOUR APP

To create and submit your app

package to the store, go to the “Project” menu in Visual Studio Professional 2013, select “Store” and then select “Create App Packages” and follow the directions. You will be required to register your Microsoft Account (the one you use to get a developer license) to submit apps to the Windows Store.

Note: If you are running Visual Studio 2013 Express for Windows choose “Store” from the menu bar.

When you submit your app to the store, be ready with:

• A name for your app – Learn more in the sidebar to the right

• A price for your app (or free)

• Whether or not you want to enable trial mode (recommended for all paid apps)

• An age rating - The age rating for an app is important. Be sure to see the requirements here: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg13

• A selling description, compelling screen images, and an honest feature list for shoppers to read in the Windows Store.

YOUR APP IS CERTIFIED

Your app must pass the certification requirements to make its way into the Windows Store. But once it’s in, millions worldwide will see your app. As you proceed through the app certification process, which can take several days, you will receive emails to keep you aware of your app’s progress. You might be asked to revisit some aspect of your code to improve its quality and performance. That’s part of the learning process.

Picking a name for your app is much like picking a domain name for your web site. You’ll want to reserve it in the Windows Store as soon as you know you’re going to publish an app. You can reserve a name up to a year in advance, but you are not allowed to hold a large number of reserved names without publishing the apps with those names. Be sure to have a backup name in case the name you’ve chosen is already in use. Make sure to avoid using trademarked names or words such as “Twitter,” “tweet,” “Facebook,” or “Disney.” The trademark owners are allowed to pull your app from the Windows Store for trademark infringement.

NAMING YOUR APP

3. Publish your app to the store.

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FIRST IN, FIRST WIN

Windows represents a huge worldwide opportunity. Think about it. Millions of people use Windows on the desktop, tablets, laptops, and phones. With the Windows Store built into every Windows 8.1 device, your apps will be available to every user. You can tap into an audience eagerly looking to download the apps you have published to the Windows Store.

IMAGINE, BUILD, REVOLUTIONIZE

Students are always the ones to transform music, fashion, and pop culture. Now, you can reimagine apps and all they can do. You’re not behind. You’re creating what’s next.

Visit Microsoft Imagine Cup (http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg14) to enter your apps in the world’s premier student technology competition.

GAIN PROFESSIONAL SKILLS RIGHT NOW

Windows Store app development is still new, so you can learn the same skills at the same time as professional developers who create apps for a living. The development skills you gain will give you a competitive edge. The best jobs are given to technology students with the best skills. You can be certain Windows Store app development will be in great demand.

LET US MAKE IT EASIER

We can guide you to Windows Store app templates and samples to help you code your first app faster and easier. You’ll find hundreds of Windows SDK samples, and instructions on how to incorporate them here:

http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg11 Discover some of the best apps created for the modern canvas to get a jump on making an app that darts, dances and delights. Check out the sidebar to the right for links to app samples.

You can download hundreds of Windows code samples, watch instructive videos, and much more.

http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg11

App samples include:

• User Interface http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg15

• Audio & Video - Playback: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg16 - Camera Capture: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg17

• Devices & Sensors - Accelerometer: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg18 - Bluetooth GATT: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg19 - 3-D Printing: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg20

• Networking: - HTTP Client Networking: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg21

• File Access: http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg22

TEMPLATES AND TRAINING

Build apps that build your career.

Don’t wait for a class on app building. Windows comes with incredible support to help you build your first app fast. Get started now.

WINDOWS AZURE - THE PERFECT COMPANION TO YOUR WINDOWS STORE OR WINDOWS PHONE APP

Windows Azure is Microsoft’s open and flexible cloud platform that lets you deploy and manage your app across a network of reliable global datacenters. What’s more, Azure lets you build an application using an operating system, developer language or tool.

Windows Azure introduced Mobile Services, a set of turnkey backend solutions to power your mobile app. Accelerate your mobile app development, incorporate structured storage, user authentication and push notifications in minutes.

Learn more about Windows Azure Mobile Services. http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg37

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STARTING

Step 1 Get Windows and free developer tools- http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg01 What’s a Windows Store app? http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg23

Where to get your developer license - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg03

BUILDING AND TESTING

Step 2 Get a helpful overview about Windows Store app development - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg24

Download hands-on labs for building your first Windows Store app (.exe download) - • HTML/JavaScript lab (Approximately 235MB): http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg08

• XAML/C# lab (Approximately 250MB): http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg09

See how to test your Windows Store app - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg25

Design principles of Windows Store apps - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg26

Game building for Windows Store apps - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg27

PUBLISHING

Step 3 Get Registration code for Windows Store. The code is free for students. http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg12

LEARNING

Microsoft blogs direct from the engineers responsible for Windows

Windows App Builder Blog - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg28

User experience support and guidance - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg29

Free eBooks on Microsoft Windows development - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg30

Microsoft SDK Sample Download - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg31

UNIVERSITY LEVEL COURSES ON WINDOWS 8

Designing for Modern UI - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg32

App Development for Modern UI - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg33

App Development for Modern Devices - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg34

FACULTY RESOURCES

Windows 8 App Development Resource Kit for Faculty - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg35

Learn how to get a DreamSpark subscription for your institution - http://aka.ms/win8-1gsg36

LEAD THE WAY

Helpful resources.