# Opportunity to get Gramps for Windows on Microsoft Store **URL:** \ **Category:** Development\ **Created:** [September 10, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538 "2025-09-10T20:30:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![codefarmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@codefarmer](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/codefarmer)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/1 "2025-09-10T20:30:44Z")
Microsoft announced today that they are [waiving fees previously charged for publishing apps](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsdeveloper/2025/09/10/free-developer-registration-for-individual-developers-on-microsoft-store/) on the Microsoft Store. Besides this, they are also offering [complimentary hosting, free signing and automatic updates](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsdeveloper/2025/09/10/free-developer-registration-for-individual-developers-on-microsoft-store/#:~:text=Complimentary%2520hosting%252C%25C2%25A0free,building%2520great%2520experiences.) The ‘signing’ part caught my eye because I believe I’ve read somewhere that the process and cost involved with certificate signing may have been an impediment in the past. This may be an opportunity re-evaluate Gramps distribution for Windows, and potentially gain a wider audience. _[Link to the app below isn’t valid any more; see [this message](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/7) for an update]_ BTW, someone is already making money with what looks like a version of Gramps, charging $2.69 for it. [Link to “Gramps!” app on Microsoft Store](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9MT2LMCXL95B?hl=en-us&gl=US&ocid=pdpshare). ---
**Author:** ![DaveSch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/davesch/32/40_2.png) [@DaveSch](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/DaveSch)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 12:30pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/2 "2025-09-11T12:30:24Z")
I have no feelings (pro or con) if this is something that Gramps should explore. However… Currently, all Gramps updates are installed in their own directory by version. That is not the expectation when a new update is available through the store in other apps. Updates overwrite existing installs and the same icons/shortcuts are used. Just something to consider. ---
**Author:** ![stuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@stuck](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/stuck)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 3:45pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/3 "2025-09-11T15:45:30Z")
> [@codefarmer](#): > > BTW, someone is already making money with what looks like a version of Gramps, charging… That feels like something someone (@Nick-Hall?) should look into. Having said that, I can imagine trying to get MS to take it down from their store would not be straightforward. ---
**Author:** ![codefarmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@codefarmer](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/codefarmer)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/4 "2025-09-11T16:04:45Z")
For sure, @stuck. I’ve started an off-line discussion to get that started. Microsoft has a process to report violations. ---
**Author:** ![StoltHD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/db5fbb/32.png) [@StoltHD](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/StoltHD)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 10:07am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/5 "2025-09-13T10:07:43Z")
I have already reported it, wrote that the “publisher” did not own the software, so it is it aleast one other report of it in the system already.. ---
**Author:** ![codefarmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@codefarmer](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/codefarmer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 1:35pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/6 "2025-09-13T13:35:23Z")
How long ago was this? Did you receive any reply? It appears it may not be against the [GPL v2.0](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.en.html) or later license to package and sell the product, so an evaluation is needed on whether there has been a violation of any terms of the license. Do we have any experts here on licensing? ---
**Author:** ![stuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@stuck](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/stuck)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/7 "2025-09-13T15:43:39Z")
> [@codefarmer](#): > > It appears it may not be against the [GPL v2.0](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.en.html) or later license to package and sell the product, @codefarmer I can’t help with interpreting licensing but you may not need to ponder the issue after all because it looks Like MS have taken down this Gramps app from their store; the link in your OP now returns a ‘product not found’ page. ---
**Author:** ![stuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@stuck](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/stuck)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/8 "2025-09-13T16:18:27Z")
> [@DaveSch](#): > > when a new update is available through the store in other apps Returning to the original topic, of considering making Gramps available via the MS Store. I’m no expert but I think it will turn out to be more complicated than it sounds. As far as I know, apps in the Store are MSIX packages. The little I know of MSIX packages comes from the confusion that arose amongst users of the Affinity suite ([Creative Software For Professionals | We Are Affinity](https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/)) when they released v2 of the suite as an MSIX, not an EXE/MSI. The confusion was so great the company had to give in and also provide an EXE/MSI installer. This link will be enough for anyone interested to get started on wider searching: [https://support.serif.com/hc/en-us/articles/10373465222671-What-s-the-difference-between-MSIX-and-MSI-EXE](https://support.serif.com/hc/en-us/articles/10373465222671-What-s-the-difference-between-MSIX-and-MSI-EXE) ---
**Author:** ![codefarmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@codefarmer](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/codefarmer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 4:50pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/9 "2025-09-13T16:50:10Z")
Gramps uses NSIS to create the installer, and NSIS is not capable of creating MSI/MSIX installers directly, so certainly there will be some work involved. A quick search indicates that it’s possible to wrap EXE installers into MSI, but these are all details which can be worked out if we decide to go forward with it. Once the app is available from the store, the file type won’t matter. Users who pull it down from GitHub can be advised of the change and are probably savvy enough to handle the change, don’t you think? ---
**Author:** ![stuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@stuck](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/stuck)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/10 "2025-09-13T17:18:40Z")
Even if I got it from GitHub, I wouldn’t want to _have_ to install Gramps as an MSIX. I like my traditional desktop icon and (at least for the Affinity Suite) an MSIX won’t create a desktop icon. Creating one manually is a hassle, because the folder an MSIX installs to is a hidden system folder = hard to access. ---
**Author:** ![codefarmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@codefarmer](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/codefarmer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 5:34pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/11 "2025-09-13T17:34:11Z")
@stuck Since you’re quite knowledgeable about this topic, would you be willing to assist, if we go this route? ---
**Author:** ![bmatherly](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/bmatherly/32/61_2.png) [@bmatherly](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/bmatherly)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/12 "2025-09-13T18:21:03Z")
Thanks for your investigation, @codefarmer. I want to offer for anyone who is willing to make a Gramps distribution for the Windows Store, we have funds available and all monetary costs can be covered. These costs could include software tools that you might have to buy to make the correct package format. I have not researched it myself, but I think it would be fantastic if we could offer Gramps in the Microsoft store. ---
**Author:** ![stuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@stuck](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/stuck)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 6:34pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/13 "2025-09-13T18:34:54Z")
> [@codefarmer](#): > > Since you’re quite knowledgeable about this topic 😆 Err, no, I only know what I’ve read in the link I posted to the difference between the Affinity MSIX and MSI and what I’ve read on the Affinity forum about the confusion it caused / causes users. I know nothing of coding. ---
**Author:** ![codefarmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@codefarmer](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/codefarmer)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/14 "2025-09-21T16:29:57Z")
Relevant reading for this topic, directly from GNU: [Selling Free Software](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/selling.html) is OK! ---
**Author:** ![emyoulation](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/emyoulation/32/67_2.png) [@emyoulation](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/emyoulation)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/15 "2025-09-21T16:48:16Z")
> [@bmatherly](#): > > Thanks for your investigation, @codefarmer. I want to offer for anyone who is willing to make a Gramps distribution for the Windows Store, we have funds available and all monetary costs can be covered. These costs could include software tools that you might have to buy to make the correct package format. I have not researched it myself, but I think it would be fantastic if we could offer Gramps in the Microsoft store. Some time ago, there was a bit of conversation about forming an Gramps corporate entity. So that there would be signing authority that would help with formal agreement interactions with companies. (Such as Ancestry, FamilySearch, Microsoft or a digital signature provider.) And to fix the problem where our GPL lacks the final step in the proper use of the template: customizing the example company at the end to a real copyright holder entity. Is that moving forward? ---
**Author:** ![DaveSch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/davesch/32/40_2.png) [@DaveSch](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/DaveSch)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 4:56pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/16 "2025-09-21T16:56:03Z")
Would the selling of the software necessitate that the seller owns the copyright. Most of Gramps files have a long list copyright holders going back to Don Allingham. Just because anyone can add their name to the copyright list does that make them the owner? ---
**Author:** ![emyoulation](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/emyoulation/32/67_2.png) [@emyoulation](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/emyoulation)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/17 "2025-09-21T17:05:38Z")
> [@DaveSch](#): > > Would the selling of the software necessitate that the seller owns the copyright. The GPL license allows it. Essentially, they are selling the bundling or the store placement, not Gramps itself. And this is their retailing “mark-up” margin. ---
**Author:** ![bmatherly](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/bmatherly/32/61_2.png) [@bmatherly](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/bmatherly)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 6:44pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/18 "2025-09-21T18:44:55Z")
> [@emyoulation](#): > > Some time ago, there was a bit of conversation about forming an Gramps corporate entity. I gave myself that assignment almost two years ago. I have failed to make it a priority. The last time that I looked into it, I recommended that we join the Open Source Collective. But there weren’t really many responses in favor or opposed to it. So I never took action. > **[Home - Open Source Collective](https://oscollective.org/)** > > Open Source Collective is a non-profit fiscal host for open source projects. Get Transparent fundraising, money management, and legal representation Does anyone have any opinions to offer on the OSC? ---
**Author:** ![emyoulation](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/emyoulation/32/67_2.png) [@emyoulation](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/emyoulation)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/19 "2025-09-21T19:17:21Z")
> [@bmatherly](#): > > Does anyone have any opinions to offer on the OSC? asked Perplexy to gather some information about them. (see [https://www.perplexity.ai/search/expound-on-the-feedback-about-lgw0uyMgRhqrcrvP7oz.bQ#0](https://www.perplexity.ai/search/expound-on-the-feedback-about-lgw0uyMgRhqrcrvP7oz.bQ#0) ) It looks like joining the OSC means that the project would have to dedicate resources towards active fund-raising. And have to follow the financial goals and administrative tasks in their structure. And it looks like there isn’t a way to ‘dip in a toe’. We would have to be “all in” or be “out” ---
**Author:** ![anon44746896](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e99b99/32.png) [@anon44746896](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/anon44746896)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538/20 "2025-09-21T21:17:45Z")
> [@bmatherly](#): > > So I never took action. Was OSC the only one considered, how about the one the used to host Wikimedia foundation elections and has 45 open source project associated with them they are called [SPI](https://www.spi-inc.org/) ([Software in the Public Interest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_in_the_Public_Interest)) the latest project they invited was [Libreboot](https://libreboot.org/news/spi.html) a few weeks ago [Next page](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/opportunity-to-get-gramps-for-windows-on-microsoft-store/8538.md?page=2)