Just want to test windows game - not upload to store

Lokitoes

Sorry for being a Windows noob, but how do I simply test my game on my own desktop? I download and unpackage the file, and there is appxupload that I can't seem to open, plus another folder with the word 'test' in it. Inside that folder as I'm sure you all know is a .appx file, and I'm assuming that's the one I want right now... how do I get it to work?

Lokitoes

Can I just download it as .exe??

EDIT: found the answer to this, which is no... I assume that's still true

jonmulcahy

@Lokitoes said:
Can I just download it as .exe??

EDIT: found the answer to this, which is no... I assume that's still true

those Windows apps are Windows8 apps only. You have to sideload them into your windows machine using a special utility.

They have spoken about getting a true .exe build available to us, but they need to make sure the platform is stable first. It would be great to have it by the end of the year

Lokitoes

@Jonmulcahy do you know what the special utility required is? I am using Windows 8.1. When I try to open the file it asks me to find an app in the app store that will open it - is there one?

Seems strange that Windows users need to go through so much just to test..? hah

Lokitoes

I guess it's Powershell? It says app not digitally signed or corrupt... grr... trying again...

jonmulcahy

you need the app signer utility. I attached a document I got back when they first came out with Win8 apps

Some of the links don't work so you'll have to search microsoft's page for them, and make sure you have the Win8 dev kit, not the 8.1 version, that never worked for me.