Can I use an Individual Microsoft Store developer account for a free private workplace app?

A Company developer account is required because the app is being distributed in relation to your work or profession; making it free, limiting it to coworkers, and publishing under your own legal name do not make an Individual account applicable.

Microsoft Store policy requires a Company account for “any person acting in relation to their trade or profession.” Individual accounts are intended for hobby, personal, school, or other non-professional projects.^1^ The onboarding guide specifically places independent developers and freelancers distributing work-related apps under Company accounts.^2^

Registering as a U.S. sole proprietor

Use the new Company-account onboarding process:

1. Go to https://storedeveloper.microsoft.com.
2. Select Get started.
3. Select Company account. The new onboarding flow has no registration fee.
4. Sign in with either:
   • a personal Microsoft account, or
   • a Microsoft Entra work account.
5. Provide your sole-proprietorship details exactly as they appear in official records.
6. Complete business and employment/contact verification.
7. After approval, select Publish to Store.^2^

Do not create an Individual account first with the intention of converting it later: Partner Center does not support changing an Individual account into a Company account. A separate Company account would be required.^2^

Accepted verification evidence

Before registering, prepare either:

• A valid nine-digit D-U-N-S number — Microsoft recommends this for faster automated verification; or
• Official business documentation, such as:
  • a government-issued business registration or license;
  • an official government registry record;
  • tax filings;
  • an equivalent formation document.

Using documents instead of a D-U-N-S number invokes manual review and may take longer. The submitted legal name and address should match the official records exactly.^2^^3^

Also prepare:

• A work email address associated with your business domain.
• If the email domain does not match the business domain, an official domain-ownership record, purchase invoice, or registry confirmation showing the purchase and expiration/renewal dates.^2^

The documentation lists accepted categories rather than a U.S.-state-by-state sole-proprietor document matrix. If it is unclear whether a particular DBA, assumed-name certificate, local business license, or tax filing will be accepted, ask Store developer support before submitting:

• Open the Windows developer support link listed under Need help? Contact us in the account-opening guide.
• Alternatively, in Partner Center select Help (?) → Contact Support and provide the exact document type, issuing authority, and whether the business is registered under your personal legal name.^2^^4^

Configuring the six-to-eight-person private audience

In the app submission:

1. Open Pricing and availability → Visibility → Audience.
2. Select Private audience.
3. Create or select a known user group.
4. Add the Microsoft-account email address of each coworker.
5. After publication, distribute the authenticated private-listing URL shown in Partner Center.

Only members of the specified group can view and acquire the app.^5^

For an MSIX private-audience app, each coworker must sign in to Microsoft Store with the personal Microsoft account matching the address in the group. A work or school Microsoft Entra account cannot acquire a private-audience app, even when the publisher itself uses a Company account.^6^

Removing someone from the group prevents future updates but does not revoke an app they previously downloaded. Private-audience distribution therefore should not be treated as device management or access revocation.^5^

References

1. Microsoft Store Policies
2. Steps to open a developer account
3. Understand the verification process in Partner Center
4. Get started with Microsoft Store
5. Set visibility options
6. Choose visibility options for MSIX apps