Windows 10: How to Enable "Sideload Apps" Option

I have an issue where I am trying to enable "Sideload apps" in the developer features. These developer features are greyed out because apparently the settings are managed by an organization. This is not true as this is my own PC and I am the only user. I am using Windows 10 Home, version 1909, OS Build 18363.836. I have seen many answers online that suggest changing key values with gpedit.msc, but I believe this is only available on Windows 10 Pro, not Home.




I did a bit of research in the Microsoft community and found an answer that suggested using the Registry Editor. I went to the following registry keys:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModelUnlock


In there, I already had a "AllowAllTrustedApps" key set to 1, and I also added a new key "AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense" set to 0.




After restarting my PC, Microsoft Store Apps, instead of Sideloading Apps, was still selected.


Does anyone know what I could be doing wrong? Or any other suggestions about how to enable Sideloading?

:)

 

Why sideload apps is turned on by default?

Hi and thanks for reaching out! I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you. Please allow me to assist with your issue.

As of Windows Insider Build 18956, sideloading is enabled by default. This option by the way is for APPX/MSIX packages and not packages installed typically by executable files.

There are also requirements in order for this to work:

1. Devices need to be unlocked for sideloading (unlock policy enabled)

2. Certificate assigned to app

3. Signed app package

And what need to do:

1. Turn on sideloading - you can push a policy with an MDM provider, or you can use Settings.

2. Trust the app - import the security certificate to the local device.

3. Install the app - use PowerShell to install the app package.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/applic...

So, it is unlikely for the scenario you have described to happen. You should be having another form of breach.

Please let me know if I can help you further!

 

Installing Sideloaded Apps

Don,



Thank you for your suggestion - after rebooting the phone, Store recognized the XAP file located on the SD card and gave that as an option for installation.



The other contributors are also correct - sideloading does not give one the opportunity to load Apps which are not applicable for the phone (such as a Nokia App on a Samsung device) or that are not released in your region. It's too bad, there are some great
Apps out there that aren't open to all devices/all regions.



Thank you all.

 

Sideloading on Windows phone 10

Hi,

Thank you for being part of Microsoft Community.

In Windows 10, sideloading is different than in earlier versions of Windows:

• 
  You can unlock a device for sideloading using an enterprise policy, or through
  Settings
  
• 
  License keys are not required
  
• 
  Devices do not have to be joined to a domain
  

Sideload LOB apps in Windows 10

Sideload LOB apps in Windows 10 (Windows 10) - Windows Application Management

Please revert if you face any issues with Windows in future.