# Distributing a Windows App **URL:** \ **Category:** Windows\ **Created:** [May 27, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/distributing-a-windows-app/85459 "2025-05-27T18:45:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bob\_Gordon](https://forum.xojo.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Bob\_Gordon](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Bob_Gordon)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/distributing-a-windows-app/85459/1 "2025-05-27T18:45:20Z")
Sorry for the naive question, but I have spent my Xojo time doing Mac, iOS, and web. I’ve written a little app for a friend, and we think it will be ready to release (it will be used in November-December). What do I need to do to make it properly available on Windows? I use the Inno installer to make an installer, but I’m sure there’s stuff I need to do to make Microsoft happy. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_Parnell](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/tim_parnell/32/161_2.png) [@Tim\_Parnell](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Tim_Parnell)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/distributing-a-windows-app/85459/2 "2025-05-27T19:21:59Z")
When the app is built just for a friend then you don’t really have to go through the hoops to get your software codesigned. On Windows it’s not the end of the world the way it is on Mac. However, if you desire to codesign your Windows application you certainly can. The current most cost efficient way is to use [Azure Trusted Signing](https://forum.xojo.com/t/azure-trusted-signing-and-xojo-apps/80721/3) which a number of Xojo users have been [investigating and writing about](https://forum.xojo.com/t/using-azure-trusted-signing-for-windows-app-installs-how-to/85357). Another method is to purchase a code signing certificate from a well known reseller or authority. After a lengthy identity verification you will get a USB key shipped to you that you can sign with. The tools for automation vary by type of USB key. I used [SSL.com](http://SSL.com) who issue a YubiKey and instructions for signing with a YubiKey can be found [in this thread](https://forum.xojo.com/t/new-to-windows-code-signing-with-a-yubikey/80254/36). Code signing is optional on Windows at the time of writing. On the “Windows protected your PC” screen _your friend_ can click the “More info” link-text to reveal a “Run Anyway” button. ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Gordon](https://forum.xojo.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Bob\_Gordon](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Bob_Gordon)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 9:23pm UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/distributing-a-windows-app/85459/3 "2025-05-27T21:23:02Z")
It’s for a friend, but it will be distributed more widely. I’ll look into Azure. Thanks for the info. Should Xojo become a source of a code signing certificate? ---
**Author:** ![Björn\_Eiríksson](https://forum.xojo.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/da6949/32.png) [@Björn\_Eiríksson](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Bj%C3%B6rn_Eir%C3%ADksson)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/distributing-a-windows-app/85459/4 "2025-05-27T21:36:20Z")
Another option is the Windows App store. Its not to hard to get App in there. And is only one time fee to get access not every year cost like at apple. They will sign it for you in the app store. ---
**Author:** ![Thom\_McGrath](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/thom_mcgrath/32/192_2.png) [@Thom\_McGrath](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Thom_McGrath)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 2:25am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/distributing-a-windows-app/85459/5 "2025-05-29T02:25:24Z")
> [@Tim\_Parnell](#): > > Code signing is optional on Windows at the time of writing. On the “Windows protected your PC” screen _your friend_ can click the “More info” link-text to reveal a “Run Anyway” button. While _technically_ optional, depending on your market, it may not be practically optional. Edge makes the “run anyway” option particularly unintuitive to find. They completely hide the menu until you hover your cursor over the paused download, then make you click “keep anyway” multiple times. This stumps a LOT of users.