[Tutorial] ]Install app offline / sideload app using powershell in windows 8.1 RT on surface RT

[tomgeniewang]

Ok i tested it on my Windows 8.1 x64 installation and they still gave me a free developer license, and in fact i was able to sideload AccuWeather for Windows 8, and it doesn't show the "X" symbol (error) in the start screen anymore!
The app still won't launch, but i think it's because of missing dependencies.

Here is how to get a developer license:
1) Run PowerShell as Administrator
2) Type Show-WindowsDeveloperLicenseRegistration
3) Sign in with your MS account when asked, and it will give you the license immediately for free

So in theory i successfully installed an Appx (because i don't get the X showing up on the start screen), im gonna try to get the dependencies now, i attached a screenshot.

PS: I got the instructions from here: https://www.howtogeek.com/129535/how-to-sideload-modern-apps-on-windows-8/

View attachment 5846835

Wow, that's amazing. I will definately give it a try. Thanks so much.

 

[dj_tech1]

Temporary i'm unable to test. I'm waiting for Your tests Give a request with screen if the operation will be successfull Good luck!

 

[jonnyprogamer]

Wow, that's amazing. I will definately give it a try. Thanks so much.

Found fix! you can test sign your APPX and install them with PowerShell, works and i can run Metro Apps!

 

[dj_tech1]

@jonnyprogamer @tomgeniewang

For few weeks I've been testing fev systems and a lot of apps. Everything is great with apps sideloading, but there is one huge problem.
We need to find a solution that will work also in Windows 8.0
Why?
The developer license is valid only for 6 months. After this peroid of time we will be unable to run installed apps (if microsoft will turn off license server to renew license). So, the most logical solution is to make apps run on Windows 8.0 with lifetime license. If we will make it, we can use it also on 8.1.

I'm studying MS docs...

Is there straight answer to easy get developer license that do not expire (without joining the domain) or sideloading product key?

BTW: These bastards made something in San Andreas servers, because it stops to load... It works only on Windows 10...

 

[jonnyprogamer]

@jonnyprogamer @tomgeniewang

View attachment 5875183

For few weeks I've been testing fev systems and a lot of apps. Everything is great with apps sideloading, but there is one huge problem.
We need to find a solution that will work also in Windows 8.0
Why?
The developer license is valid only for 6 months. After this peroid of time we will be unable to run installed apps (if microsoft will turn off license server to renew license). So, the most logical solution is to make apps run on Windows 8.0 with lifetime license. If we will make it, we can use it also on 8.1.

I'm studying MS docs...

Is there straight answer to easy get developer license that do not expire (without joining the domain) or sideloading product key?

BTW: These bastards made something in San Andreas servers, because it stops to load... It works only on Windows 10...

Hi, i don't think there is a way to install app without license, domain or dev product key, i think only option would be to emulate MS license server with a Proxy.

 

[tomgeniewang]

@jonnyprogamer @tomgeniewang

View attachment 5875183

For few weeks I've been testing fev systems and a lot of apps. Everything is great with apps sideloading, but there is one huge problem.
We need to find a solution that will work also in Windows 8.0
Why?
The developer license is valid only for 6 months. After this peroid of time we will be unable to run installed apps (if microsoft will turn off license server to renew license). So, the most logical solution is to make apps run on Windows 8.0 with lifetime license. If we will make it, we can use it also on 8.1.

I'm studying MS docs...

Is there straight answer to easy get developer license that do not expire (without joining the domain) or sideloading product key?

BTW: These bastards made something in San Andreas servers, because it stops to load... It works only on Windows 10...

oops, that's such a good point. I guess I will look into it when the license expired

 

[tomgeniewang]

Found fix! you can test sign your APPX and install them with PowerShell, works and i can run Metro Apps!View attachment 5850305

how do you test sign the appx? Any instructions?

 

[dj_tech1]

I've Searched about signing and i found two certificates:

One from XDA dedicated to Surface. Used for signing desktop apps.

https://xdaforums.com/t/windows-rt-8-1-jailbreak-sign-tool.3228929/

and second named Hadesy Pcbeta (only one that's expire date is 2017 - past date instalation od apps beore expire?)
Used for signing APPX, but i dont know if visual studio is required.
Manual: http://m.cfan.com.cn/article/103864
Thread about: https://forums.mydigitallife.net/th...ding-added-7-31-games-for-win8-1.53181/page-2

Someone will give a try?

Also - about developer license - if i will set the time to past (2013) and disable the internet and time update - will the license be valid thru 2023 (10 years?).

 

[jonnyprogamer]

how do you test sign the appx? Any instructions?

----------------------------------------------------------​

Essential Requirements:​

• 1) Windows 7 / 8 PC, you will need it to use the Windows 8 / RT Metro APP build tools, download them here: https://mega.nz/folder/82YgQabJ#in_YEkxi0vCj_DmBfms5ig/folder/YyxkiRaK
• 2) Microsoft Account, you will need it for the Developer License registration.​

* I checked today (01/05/2023) and it appears that the Build Tools link is dead, for this reason im uploading the buildtools on my Mediafire account, i will add the link here when the upload is finished.

UPDATE: New BuildTools Link

Appx Packer V2.5

MediaFire is a simple to use free service that lets you put all your photos, documents, music, and video in a single place so you can access them anywhere and share them everywhere.

www.mediafire.com

----------------------------------------------------------​

Note: the build tools can't be used under Windows RT.​

----------------------------------------------------------​

Instructions:​

1) Extract the "Appx Packer v2.5.zip" that you downloaded on the Win 7 / 8 PC that you want to use to sign the Metro Apps. (i recommend that you extract the tools to C:\Program Files(x86)\ and then add the folder to your system %PATH%)

2) Add a developer license to your Windows 8 / Windows RT installation (the PC / Surface where you want to install / test your signed ".appx").

Here is how to get a developer license:

• Run PowerShell as Administrator
• Type Show-WindowsDeveloperLicenseRegistration
• Sign in with your MS account when asked, and it will give you the license immediately for free

3) Download the ".appx" or ".appxbundle" of the app that you want (use https://store.rg-adguard.net/, just find the Windows Store URL of a Win 8 / RT compatible Metro App and paste it there to download the required files).

4) If the file that you downloaded ends with ".appxbundle" then unzip the contents of it to a folder (use 7-Zip or "makeappx unbundle path/to/appx-bundle"), otherwise if it is ".appx" just skip this.

5) Launch CMD as Administrator and follow the instructions below:

--------------------------------------------------------​

UNPACK APPX (step 1):
makeappx unpack /p file.appx /d DATA

FIND DEVELOPER NAME VALUE (step 2):
Go into the "DATA" folder, open the file named "AppxManifest.xml" and copy the "Pubblisher" Value -> (CN=...)

GENERATE CERTIFICATE (step 3.1):
NOTE: put no password (press None) when asked while generating the ".cer" file.
makecert -r -pe -n "CN=..put.value.of.step2.." -e 12/31/3000 -a sha256 -cy end -sky signature -sv MySPC.pvk MySPC.cer

GENERATE PRIVATE KEYS (step 3.2):
pvk2pfx -pvk MySPC.pvk -spc MySPC.cer -pfx MySPC.pfx

ADD CERTIFICATE AND PRIVATE KEYS TO THE "TRUSTED ROOT AUTHORITIES" STORE (step 3.3):
Double click the "MySPC.cer" that you just created and choose "Local Computer", then press "Next".
Now choose "Place all certificates in the following store" -> press "Browse" -> choose "Trusted Root Certification Autorithies" and press "OK" -> press "Next" -> Press "Finish".
Repeat the same process for the "MySPC.pfx" file

NOTE: I think that it's not necessary to integrate the ".pfx" file, since that's just used for signing the App, try integrating the ".cer" first and if the app works then you can avoid integrating the ".pfx".

RE-PACK APPX (step 4):
makeappx pack /d DATA /p file-signed.appx

SIGN THE APPX (step 5):
SignTool sign /v /fd SHA256 /f MySPC.pfx file-signed.appx

INSTALL THE METRO APP (APPX) ON YOUR WINDOWS RT DEVICE (step 6):
Add-AppxPackage -Path file-signed.appx

NOTE: If the App requires any dependency install it like this:
Add-AppxPackage -Path file-signed.appx -DependencyPath dependency.appx

--------------------------------------------------------​

I hope that this guide will help you guys, it took me 3 days of reading MSDN docs to understand how to run these damned apps , maybe in the future we will be able to bypass this developer license (since M$ might shut down their license servers).

 

[tomgeniewang]

----------------------------------------------------------​

Essential Requirements:​

• 1) Windows 7 / 8 PC, you will need it to use the Windows 8 / RT Metro APP build tools, download them here: https://mega.nz/folder/82YgQabJ#in_YEkxi0vCj_DmBfms5ig/folder/YyxkiRaK
• 2) Microsoft Account, you will need it for the Developer License registration.​

Note: the build tools can't be used under Windows RT.​

----------------------------------------------------------​

Instructions:​

1) Extract the "Appx Packer v2.5.zip" that you downloaded on the Win 7 / 8 PC that you want to use to sign the Metro Apps. (i recommend that you extract the tools to C:\Program Files(x86)\ and then add the folder to your system %PATH%)

2) Add a developer license to your Windows 8 / Windows RT installation (the PC / Surface where you want to install / test your signed ".appx").

3) Download the ".appx" or ".appxbundle" of the app that you want (use https://store.rg-adguard.net/, just find the Windows Store URL of a Win 8 / RT compatible Metro App and paste it there to download the required files).

4) If the file that you downloaded ends with ".appxbundle" then unzip the contents of it to a folder (use 7-Zip or "makeappx unbundle path/to/appx-bundle"), otherwise if it is ".appx" just skip this.

5) Launch CMD as Administrator and follow the instructions below:

--------------------------------------------------------​

UNPACK APPX (step 1):
makeappx unpack /p file.appx /d DATA

FIND DEVELOPER NAME VALUE (step 2):
Go into the "DATA" folder, open the file named "AppxManifest.xml" and copy the "Pubblisher" Value -> (CN=...)

GENERATE CERTIFICATE (step 3.1):
NOTE: put no password (press None) when asked while generating the ".cer" file.
makecert -r -pe -n "CN=..put.value.of.step2.." -e 12/31/3000 -a sha256 -cy end -sky signature -sv MySPC.pvk MySPC.cer

GENERATE PRIVATE KEYS (step 3.2):
pvk2pfx -pvk MySPC.pvk -spc MySPC.cer -pfx MySPC.pfx

RE-PACK APPX (step 4):
makeappx pack /d DATA /p file-signed.appx

SIGN THE APPX (step 5):
SignTool sign /v /fd SHA256 /f MySPC.pfx file-signed.appx

--------------------------------------------------------​

I hope that this guide will help you guys, it took me 3 days of reading MSDN docs to understand how to run these damned apps , maybe in the future we will be able to bypass this developer license (since M$ might shut down their license servers).

That's epic. You are really the man. Thanks heaps

 

[tomgeniewang]

I've Searched about signing and i found two certificates:

One from XDA dedicated to Surface. Used for signing desktop apps.

https://xdaforums.com/t/windows-rt-8-1-jailbreak-sign-tool.3228929/

and second named Hadesy Pcbeta (only one that's expire date is 2017 - past date instalation od apps beore expire?)
Used for signing APPX, but i dont know if visual studio is required.
Manual: http://m.cfan.com.cn/article/103864
Thread about: https://forums.mydigitallife.net/th...ding-added-7-31-games-for-win8-1.53181/page-2

Someone will give a try?

Also - about developer license - if i will set the time to past (2013) and disable the internet and time update - will the license be valid thru 2023 (10 years?).

Setting the time back, that's the first thing I would like to try when app couldn't run due to license expired. However, the way I install it is by removing the signature. So it might not require the developer license to run it. We will see at that point

 

[jonnyprogamer]

Setting the time back, that's the first thing I would like to try when app couldn't run due to license expired. However, the way I install it is by removing the signature. So it might not require the developer license to run it. We will see at that point

Nope, Windows 8 requires a valid license for a Metro APP to run, if the app was developed by you (or if you follow my guide above on how to sign the app yourself) then you can install the .cer and .pfx file, and then use the app (developer license is still required, because that's how MS designed the Metro subsystem back in the day)

Only way for us to sideload apps without signing (and without having developer license) would be to find the code that checks for these requirements and remove it / patch it, but i think that a way easier solution is just to simulate the service that MS uses to give developer licenses, and make a custom web server.

 

[camborita]

----------------------------------------------------------​

Essential Requirements:​

• 1) Windows 7 / 8 PC, you will need it to use the Windows 8 / RT Metro APP build tools, download them here: https://mega.nz/folder/82YgQabJ#in_YEkxi0vCj_DmBfms5ig/folder/YyxkiRaK
• 2) Microsoft Account, you will need it for the Developer License registration.​

Note: the build tools can't be used under Windows RT.​

----------------------------------------------------------​

Instructions:​

1) Extract the "Appx Packer v2.5.zip" that you downloaded on the Win 7 / 8 PC that you want to use to sign the Metro Apps. (i recommend that you extract the tools to C:\Program Files(x86)\ and then add the folder to your system %PATH%)

2) Add a developer license to your Windows 8 / Windows RT installation (the PC / Surface where you want to install / test your signed ".appx").

3) Download the ".appx" or ".appxbundle" of the app that you want (use https://store.rg-adguard.net/, just find the Windows Store URL of a Win 8 / RT compatible Metro App and paste it there to download the required files).

4) If the file that you downloaded ends with ".appxbundle" then unzip the contents of it to a folder (use 7-Zip or "makeappx unbundle path/to/appx-bundle"), otherwise if it is ".appx" just skip this.

5) Launch CMD as Administrator and follow the instructions below:

--------------------------------------------------------​

UNPACK APPX (step 1):
makeappx unpack /p file.appx /d DATA

FIND DEVELOPER NAME VALUE (step 2):
Go into the "DATA" folder, open the file named "AppxManifest.xml" and copy the "Pubblisher" Value -> (CN=...)

GENERATE CERTIFICATE (step 3.1):
NOTE: put no password (press None) when asked while generating the ".cer" file.
makecert -r -pe -n "CN=..put.value.of.step2.." -e 12/31/3000 -a sha256 -cy end -sky signature -sv MySPC.pvk MySPC.cer

GENERATE PRIVATE KEYS (step 3.2):
pvk2pfx -pvk MySPC.pvk -spc MySPC.cer -pfx MySPC.pfx

RE-PACK APPX (step 4):
makeappx pack /d DATA /p file-signed.appx

SIGN THE APPX (step 5):
SignTool sign /v /fd SHA256 /f MySPC.pfx file-signed.appx

--------------------------------------------------------​

I hope that this guide will help you guys, it took me 3 days of reading MSDN docs to understand how to run these damned apps , maybe in the future we will be able to bypass this developer license (since M$ might shut down their license servers).

Thanks very much for the hard work to figure this out and the detailed write-up. With the above, I was able to reinstall Netflix on my Windows 8.1 RT Asus tablet since this can no longer be done through the Windows Store.

One step to add is that the certificate that you generate must be imported into the Trusted Root Certificates through the mmc.exe console on the Windows 8 machine. A good write up how to do that is here (it is for W10, but also works on W8 (RT flavor or otherwise):

Updating List of Trusted Root Certificates in Windows | Windows OS Hub

All Windows versions have a built-in feature for automatically updating root certificates from the Microsoft websites. MSFT, as part of the Microsoft Trusted Root Certificate Program, maintains and publishes a…

woshub.com

However, I am having an issue with the Netflix app in general. For any title that has multiple episodes (such as a tv series), the episodes do not show up - they only appear as blank gray tiles, and cannot be selected and as such cannot be watched (see attached screen shot). For an individual movie, there are no issues, but for any content that has multiple episodes, they cannot be watched. Has anyone run into this problem? If so, is there are a fix for this?

Thanks in advance for any ideas how to solve this.

 

[jonnyprogamer]

Thanks very much for the hard work to figure this out and the detailed write-up. With the above, I was able to reinstall Netflix on my Windows 8.1 RT Asus tablet since this can no longer be done through the Windows Store.

One step to add is that the certificate that you generate must be imported into the Trusted Root Certificates through the mmc.exe console on the Windows 8 machine. A good write up how to do that is here (it is for W10, but also works on W8 (RT flavor or otherwise):

Updating List of Trusted Root Certificates in Windows | Windows OS Hub

All Windows versions have a built-in feature for automatically updating root certificates from the Microsoft websites. MSFT, as part of the Microsoft Trusted Root Certificate Program, maintains and publishes a…

woshub.com

However, I am having an issue with the Netflix app in general. For any title that has multiple episodes (such as a tv series), the episodes do not show up - they only appear as blank gray tiles, and cannot be selected and as such cannot be watched (see attached screen shot). For an individual movie, there are no issues, but for any content that has multiple episodes, they cannot be watched. Has anyone run into this problem? If so, is there are a fix for this?

Thanks in advance for any ideas how to solve this.

Yep, forgot to specify that you need to add the certificate, gonna edit the message and do that now.
As for Netflix well i don't have it so i can't confirm, but my guess would be that they changed something in the API that broke that functionality, try to get the absolute latest version of the App (I know that they developed the RT version for a bit longer)

 

[BsVerma]

Plz help I need a working way to install apps
Need vlc or any mkv player

I install vlc and 2-3 other apps by power shell with your mathod
But after installation app not open all apps show same error

I m using windows surface 8.1 rt tablet
I need video player there is no video player at time

 

[Bumkers]

to be able to run the app, we will have to bypass the app license.

Not to annoy you, but you mention you got the developer license,
is there no way to bypass the app license without getting developer license?
Not that im complaining cause i can install it via developer license, just asking : o

 

[tomgeniewang]

Not to annoy you, but you mention you got the developer license,
is there no way to bypass the app license without getting developer license?
Not that im complaining cause i can install it via developer license, just asking : o

That's all good. I acutally haven't tested this by myself. As i got the developer license first. So I wouldn't know whether it would work if I don't have the develper license by just reomving the certificate in the appx. But one issue I run into is that the app will stop working after some time. But with @jonnyprogamer method to sign the app, it actually doesn't have this issue.

 

[jonnyprogamer]

Plz help I need a working way to install apps
Need vlc or any mkv player

I install vlc and 2-3 other apps by power shell with your mathod
But after installation app not open all apps show same error

Not to annoy you, but you mention you got the developer license,
is there no way to bypass the app license without getting developer license?
Not that im complaining cause i can install it via developer license, just asking : o

Please follow my method instead, the OP post is outdated.

 

[jonnyprogamer]

@Bunkers @BsVerma link has been fixed

 

[BsVerma]

I try jailbreak , developer licence + test mode + source boot Disable ,8.1 windows update 3 manual installation , try hard 5 days but in windows 8.1 rt store and apps not working then install Win 10 arm insider 15035 in surface rt much better then 8.1 rt
I install 10 + games and vlc and windows theme pack (not working h265 codes video ) need better video player and better' browser ...I try 30 plus store browser and yt tube apps nothing working better then IE11 .. Any one know browser for windows 10 arm insider or 8.1 rt .. help me need browser like chorm Mozilla