Categories and subcategories
Listing your app in the right primary category, subcategory and an optional secondary category helps customers find your app and understand more about it. Secondary category has the same list of categories as the Primary category.
You must choose the categories that best describe your app. You can optionally choose a subcategory, if available and choose an optional secondary category. If you're not sure which category to use, or you can't find one that seems to be an exact fit, choose the one that you think customers are most likely to look at when trying to find apps like yours.
If you choose Games for your category, you are required to select at least one subcategory (called genre for games). You can choose up to 3 genres as appropriate for your game. Note that in order to publish a game to customers on Xbox, you must enable the Xbox Live Creators Program or go through the concept approval process.
Important
If you publish the app in the Games category, you won't be able to pick a different category in a new submission; it must continue to be published in the Games category (although you can change the genre selections in a new submission). Likewise, you can't choose the Games category when updating an app that you previously published in a different category. For apps which are not games, you must choose one category, optionally choose from any subcategories that are available and can optionally choose a secondary category. You can't select more than one subcategory or secondary category for apps which are not in the Games category. Only some categories have subcategories, and you can only use a subcategory if it belongs to the category you selected.
To change the category or subcategory of an app that's already in the Store (except for changing from Games to another category or vice versa), create a new submission and select the new category or subcategory.
Categories and subcategories
The Microsoft Store organizes apps into the following categories and subcategories.
| Category | Subcategory | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books + reference | E-reader Fiction Nonfiction Reference |
Apps which provide interactive ways to access content which is generally printed form | e-reader, book reader, comics, novels |
| Business | Accounting + finance Collaboration CRM Data + analytics File management Inventory + logistics Legal + HR Project management Remote desktop Sales + marketing Time + expenses |
Apps which help a business to run smoothly, track work items and/or offer means to collaborate, share or edit | Document reader/scanner/editor, email management, job search resources, remote desktop |
| Developer tools | Database Design tools Development kits Networking Reference + training Servers Utilities Web hosting |
Apps which help the developer community with the platform/tools to create and manage apps, web applications | coding, debugging, testing, source code management |
| Education | Books + reference Early learning Instructional tools Language Study aids |
Apps which help the user to learn a new skill or topic | alphabets, arithmetic, language learning, exam preparation, study-aids |
| Entertainment | (None) | Apps which entertain and/or provide information through audio, visual or other content types | Streaming movies and videos, live sports, movie/concert ticket booking, theatre |
| Food + dining | (None) | Apps which provide instructions or suggestions on preparation, consumption and/or review of food or drinks | cooking guide, recipes, restaurants |
| Government + politics | (None) | Apps which help with accessing government services or provide information on what’s happening in the field of politics | politics news, government services |
| Health + fitness | (None) | Apps which are related to healthy living, recreational activities, tracking fitness | tracking workout, yoga, running, cycling, diet, nutrition plan, weight loss |
| Kids + family | Books + reference Entertainment Hobbies + toys Sports + activities Travel |
Apps which help kids to learn something new in an interactive way, manages family safety and schedules | interactive stories, playbooks, family safety |
| Lifestyle | Automotive DIY Home + garden Relationships Special interest Style + fashion |
Apps which help the user to pursue their special interests, hobbies | DIY, fashion, hobbies |
| Medical | (None) | Apps which are focused on health information management or health records of patients | symptom references, diseases, medical journals, health reference materials, health record keeping, health tracking |
| Multimedia design | Illustration + graphic design Music production Photo + video production |
Apps which provide tools for creating or editing graphics, art, design | image editing, painting tools, sketchbooks, 3D modelling, fine arts |
| Music | (None) | Apps for listening, recording, creating, or performing music, music videos | Apps for listening, recording, creating, or performing music, music videos |
| Navigation + maps | (None) | Apps which help user to navigate to a particular location from their present location | driving navigation, Atlases, terrain maps, find nearby restaurants and gas stations, public transportation |
| News + weather | News Weather |
Apps which provide information on what is happening around the world in politics, sports, business, entertainment etc. or show weather forecast in different regions | newspaper, magazines |
| Personal finance | Banking + investments Budgeting + taxes |
Apps which help individuals keep track of their finances | internet banking, mobile banking, tax filling, bill reminders |
| Personalization | Ringtones + sounds Themes Wallpaper + lock screens |
Apps which allow user to personalize their devices by changing sound settings, backgrounds, or themes | ringtones, wallpaper, home/lock screen, themes |
| Photo + video | (None) | Apps which help user in capturing, editing, and sharing photos or videos | camera, photo/video editing, storing, sharing, special effects |
| Productivity | (None) | Apps which help user to complete a particular task more efficiently | calendar management, task management, password management, note-taking, data viewing and sorting |
| Security | PC protection Personal security |
Apps which help user to keep their content more secure on their devices or secure their information and identity while browsing | Antivirus, VPN, Security tools |
| Shopping | (None) | Apps which assist the user to purchase goods with intuitive shopping experience | online shopping, price comparison, coupons, product reviews |
| Social | (None) | Apps which help user interact and connect with other people by means of text, photos, videos, voice | text/voice messaging, video communication, dating, photo/video sharing, social media platforms |
| Sports | (None) | Apps which provide information on upcoming sport events, live scores, statistics etc. | live scores, statistics, ticket booking, reports, news |
| Travel | City guides Hotels |
Apps which help user in planning their travel, stay and exploration at a particular location | vacation planning, flight booking, taxi/cab booking, hotel booking, city guides |
| Utilities + tools | Backup + manage File managers |
Apps which assist user in solving problems or completing specific tasks | file manager, calculators, barcode scanner, measurement, remote controls, file backup, cloud storage, file conversion, PDF editor |
Note
Some of the categories and subcategories used in the Store for customers on Windows 8.x may appear differently than the categories listed above.
Following are the available genres for Games category:
| Genre | Description |
|---|---|
| Action + adventure | Games with story-driven plot and combat gameplay mechanics |
| Card + board | Games which are played with standardized rules involving cards or boards as the primary items |
| Casino | Games which allow players to play gambling games online |
| Classics | Games based on the famous old classic games like brick blocks, fruit snake etc. |
| Educational | Games that are related to learning new skill or a topic in an interactive way |
| Family + kids | Games which are more interactive in nature and focused on kids |
| Fighting | Games which allow user to experience combat battles |
| Multi-Player Online Battle Arena | Games where the players use weapons with defined range to fight against each other |
| Music | Games related to guessing music, interaction-based music |
| Other | Games which do not fall into any of the here mentioned genres |
| Platformer | Games which are 2-dimensional where player can control character's walk, jump |
| Puzzle + trivia | Games which challenge the problem-solving capabilities of the user |
| Racing + flying | Games which allow user to compete against other opponents in a similar machinery |
| Role playing | Games which allow the user to cast themselves as a character which evolves throughout the game |
| Shooter | Games with a focus on defeating enemies using gun-like weapons |
| Simulation | Games which let user imitate a real-world process |
| Sports | Games which imitate the traditional physical sports |
| Strategy | Games which require thorough planning and thinking to achieve victory |
| Tools | Apps which allow users to interact with the game without launching the actual game software |
| Word | Games related to guessing words based on puzzles/riddles |
Listing your app in the right primary category, subcategory and an optional secondary category helps customers find your app and understand more about it. Secondary category has the same list of categories as the Primary category.
You must choose the category that best describes your app. You can optionally choose a subcategory, if available. If you're not sure which category or subcategory to use, or you can't find one that seems to be an exact fit, choose the one that you think customers are most likely to look at when trying to find apps like yours.
To change the category, subcategory or secondary category of an app that's already in the Store, update your app and select the new category, subcategory or secondary category.
Categories and subcategories
The Microsoft Store organizes apps into the following categories and subcategories.
| Category | Subcategory | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books + reference | E-reader Fiction Nonfiction Reference |
Apps which provide interactive ways to access content which is generally printed form | e-reader, book reader, comics, novels |
| Business | Accounting + finance Collaboration CRM Data + analytics File management Inventory + logistics Legal + HR Project management Remote desktop Sales + marketing Time + expenses |
Apps which help a business to run smoothly, track work items and/or offer means to collaborate, share or edit | Document reader/scanner/editor, email management, job search resources, remote desktop |
| Developer tools | Database Design tools Development kits Networking Reference + training Servers Utilities Web hosting |
Apps which help the developer community with the platform/tools to create and manage apps, web applications | coding, debugging, testing, source code management |
| Education | Books + reference Early learning Instructional tools Language Study aids |
Apps which help the user to learn a new skill or topic | alphabets, arithmetic, language learning, exam preparation, study-aids |
| Entertainment | (None) | Apps which entertain and/or provide information through audio, visual or other content types | Streaming movies and videos, live sports, movie/concert ticket booking, theatre |
| Food + dining | (None) | Apps which provide instructions or suggestions on preparation, consumption and/or review of food or drinks | cooking guide, recipes, restaurants |
| Government + politics | (None) | Apps which help with accessing government services or provide information on what’s happening in the field of politics | politics news, government services |
| Health + fitness | (None) | Apps which are related to healthy living, recreational activities, tracking fitness | tracking workout, yoga, running, cycling, diet, nutrition plan, weight loss |
| Kids + family | Books + reference Entertainment Hobbies + toys Sports + activities Travel |
Apps which help kids to learn something new in an interactive way, manages family safety and schedules | interactive stories, playbooks, family safety |
| Lifestyle | Automotive DIY Home + garden Relationships Special interest Style + fashion |
Apps which help the user to pursue their special interests, hobbies | DIY, fashion, hobbies |
| Medical | (None) | Apps which are focused on health information management or health records of patients | symptom references, diseases, medical journals, health reference materials, health record keeping, health tracking |
| Multimedia design | Illustration + graphic design Music production Photo + video production |
Apps which provide tools for creating or editing graphics, art, design | image editing, painting tools, sketchbooks, 3D modelling, fine arts |
| Music | (None) | Apps for listening, recording, creating, or performing music, music videos | Apps for listening, recording, creating, or performing music, music videos |
| Navigation + maps | (None) | Apps which help user to navigate to a particular location from their present location | driving navigation, Atlases, terrain maps, find nearby restaurants and gas stations, public transportation |
| News + weather | News Weather |
Apps which provide information on what is happening around the world in politics, sports, business, entertainment etc. or show weather forecast in different regions | newspaper, magazines |
| Personal finance | Banking + investments Budgeting + taxes |
Apps which help individuals keep track of their finances | internet banking, mobile banking, tax filling, bill reminders |
| Personalization | Ringtones + sounds Themes Wallpaper + lock screens |
Apps which allow user to personalize their devices by changing sound settings, backgrounds, or themes | ringtones, wallpaper, home/lock screen, themes |
| Photo + video | (None) | Apps which help user in capturing, editing, and sharing photos or videos | camera, photo/video editing, storing, sharing, special effects |
| Productivity | (None) | Apps which help user to complete a particular task more efficiently | calendar management, task management, password management, note-taking, data viewing and sorting |
| Security | PC protection Personal security |
Apps which help user to keep their content more secure on their devices or secure their information and identity while browsing | Antivirus, VPN, Security tools |
| Shopping | (None) | Apps which assist the user to purchase goods with intuitive shopping experience | online shopping, price comparison, coupons, product reviews |
| Social | (None) | Apps which help user interact and connect with other people by means of text, photos, videos, voice | text/voice messaging, video communication, dating, photo/video sharing, social media platforms |
| Sports | (None) | Apps which provide information on upcoming sport events, live scores, statistics etc. | live scores, statistics, ticket booking, reports, news |
| Travel | City guides Hotels |
Apps which help user in planning their travel, stay and exploration at a particular location | vacation planning, flight booking, taxi/cab booking, hotel booking, city guides |
| Utilities + tools | Backup + manage File managers |
Apps which assist user in solving problems or completing specific tasks | file manager, calculators, barcode scanner, measurement, remote controls, file backup, cloud storage, file conversion, PDF editor |
Important
Categories and sub-categories are not supported for App add-ons.
Windows developer
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