Windows 10: Microsoft removed app with 1.5M+ downloads and 6K+ in-app aquisitions

Few months ago Microsoft removed our 'Torrent RT Free Plus' app from the store.


We have 3 versions of Torrent RT.
Torrent RT - Full paid version
Torrent RT Free - Ads supported version
Torrent RT Free Plus - Ads supported version with an option to upgrade to full version

The reason we have 3 versions is historic. When app was released during Windows RT time in 2013, addons were note very well supported, and we decided to produce a separate app instead on adding addon option to the free version.

All 3 apps have been in Microsoft Store for over 6 years now, and Torrent RT Free plus has over a 1.5 million acquisitions, and more than 6 thousands people purchased an upgrade.

Now every week we are getting an email with complaint that someone can't restore a purchase they had made previously because app is no longer in Microsoft Store.


I tried to get answer how to refund people multiple times, until it got funny.

When I email *** Email address is removed for privacy *** they reply that MS support should handle this situation and MS support refers back to*** Email address is removed for privacy ***.


Here is copy my 3rd attempt:


Hello,

Thanks for contacting us. ReportApp can assist with providing certification failure support, for assistance with refund, please contact Microsoft Support.


Hello,

I've filed another ticket at microsoft app support, and they replied that issue should be handled by policy department at *** Email address is removed for privacy ***. Here is the response we got from support:

SRX1501526682ID - Refund for users purchased 'Torrent RT FREE Plus' app id 9NBLGGH4Q9SS addon

I did understand that you do have an app that was removed from the store and you are getting complaints from the customers that they are unable to restore a purchase.

We were not able to pull up any app under ....

For apps that have been removed from the store, you would actually need to contact the policy department at *** Email address is removed for privacy ***.

App is listed under ... account, CCed here.

My ask is the same - can you either restore app in the store, or refund all customers who purchased an app upgrade.

And please don't tell me again that I should contact MS support.


Hello,

Thanks for contacting us. We don’t have any additional information to provide. If your users want a refund they can contact Consumer support https://support.microsoft.com/ for further assistance.


Posting it here, so we can share this post with people who asked for refund.That is unprofessional to say the least.

Honestly with Microsoft killing its ad platform, there is not much incentive to build apps for Windows anymore.

I'm very disappointed.

:)

 

microsoft app store

How to run apps that are downloaded from Microsoft app store on multiple PCs without downloading multiple times.

 

Microsoft is purging a lot of low quality apps from the Windows Store

"Microsoft is sending emails to some Windows Store developers informing them that their apps have been removed from the Store for violating its quality standards."

"Neowin reports that app developers have been receiving these emails over the past couple of days:

In its latest review of the Store, Microsoft is evaluating if the published apps are good enough to be listed in the Windows Store. This includes publicly available apps as well as private beta apps. Additionally, Microsoft is also asking developers to delete any promotional campaigns for their apps to prevent advertising charges. Similarly, app name reservations are also being nullified; which means that if your app is unpublished, there's no guarantee that you'll be able to republish it under the same name.

Officially, the policies for the Microsoft Store says that apps must have "distinct and informative metadata" and "provide a valuable and quality user experience". There are also some specific standards that must be in the apps, including having a name that is not similar to another app or device, along with offering a description that is accurate about its features and functions.

There have certainly been many Windows Store users who have complained over the years about the large number of apps published that are clones of other apps or ones that are simply poorly made. Hopefully, this new move by Microsoft will help to curb these issues, at least for now."

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downloading apps

Hi George,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I would like to understand the issue better, could you let me know

1. Operating system and edition of operating system you are using?
   
2. From where you are trying to download apps?
   

However you can try following steps to if you are using Microsoft store to download apps.

Step 1 :

1. Open RUN box by pressing
   windows + R button on the keyboard.
   
2. Then type WSReset.exe and click on
   OK.
   
3. Try to logging in to store with your Microsoft account.
   
4. Try downloading the apps.
   

Step 2:

1. Search for command prompt on
   Cortana search bar.
   
2. Right click on command prompt and click on
   run as administrator.
   
3. Type below command and press enter.
   
   Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   

The above command will take some time and I would suggest you to wait until the process completes.

To know the edition of operating system,

1. Right click on This PC and click on
   Properties.
   

Hope it helps.

Manjunath H

Microsoft Community - Moderator