Create Microsoft Store apps via Graph API

Published: March 02, 2023 | Author: René Laas

The purpose of this blog post is to inform you how to create Microsoft Store apps (new method) via Graph API.

Intune is a service that allows organizations easily distribute and manage apps for their Windows devices. Previously, with Microsoft Store for Business and Education, IT administrators can purchase apps and other digital content in bulk and distribute them to managed devices using Microsoft Intune. With the new Store method in Intune and the upcoming deprecation of the Microsoft Store for business, you as an Intune admin must add the Microsoft Store app now via a different method in Intune.

I will explain in this blog how to create Microsoft store apps via Graph API to automate the creation of the apps.

Requirements:

  • Req 1

New Microsoft Store integration within Intune

As of December 2, 2022, it is possible to search, browse, configure, and deploy Microsoft Store apps within Intune. The new Microsoft Store app type is implemented using the Windows Package Manager (WinGet). This app type features an expanded catalog of apps, which includes both UWP apps and Win32 apps.

For more information about the new Microsoft Store apps, see Add Microsoft Store apps to Microsoft Intune.

Microsoft Store for Business deprecation

As of June 30, 2020, Microsoft announced the deprecation of the Microsoft Store for Business and Education, and at the end of Q1 2023, the service will be fully retired. This means that any existing apps, app licenses, and app installers that have been acquired through the service will no longer be available for download, and any devices that are enrolled in the service will no longer be able to install or update apps.

The decision to deprecate the Microsoft Store for Business and Education is due to Microsoft’s focus on modern management and app deployment models, such as Microsoft Endpoint Manager and the Microsoft Store for Business and Education APIs. Microsoft recommends that organizations migrate to these newer solutions to continue managing their Microsoft apps.

Graph API

The Microsoft Graph API provides a set of RESTful endpoints that enable developers to access and manipulate data in Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based service that enables organizations to manage and secure their mobile devices and apps. With the Graph API, administrators can get, create, update, and delete Intune resources such as devices, apps, policies, and profiles.

Administrators can use the Graph API to perform their tasks in Intune, such as retrieving device inventory information, deploying apps and profiles to devices, configuring device compliance policies, and managing device actions like wiping or locking a device. In summary, the Microsoft Graph API provides a powerful and flexible tool for administrators.

Commonly used Microsoft Store Apps

DisplaynamePackage Identifier
3D viewer9NBLGGH42THS
Company Portal9WZDNCRFJ3PZ
Feedback Hub9NBLGGH4R32N
Kiosk Browser9NGB5S5XG2KP
Mail and Calendar9WZDNCRFHVQM
Microsoft 365 (Office)9WZDNCRD29V9
Microsoft Authenticator9NBLGGGZMCJ6
Microsoft Messaging9WZDNCRFJBQ6
Microsoft News9WZDNCRFHVFW
Microsoft People9NBLGGH10PG8
Microsoft Photos9WZDNCRFJBH4
Microsoft Sticky Notes9NBLGGH4QGHW
Microsoft Tips9WZDNCRDTBJJ
Microsoft To Do9NBLGGH5R558
Microsoft Whiteboard9MSPC6MP8FM4
Mixed Reality Portal9NG1H8B3ZC7M
Mobile Plans9NBLGGH5PNB1
Movies & TV9WZDNCRFJ3P2
MSN Money9WZDNCRFHV4V
MSN Weather9WZDNCRFJ3Q2
Network Speed Test9WZDNCRFHX52
OneDrive9WZDNCRFJ1P3
OneNote for Windows 109WZDNCRFHVJL
Paint 3D9NBLGGH5FV99
Phone Link9NMPJ99VJBWV
Power Apps9MVC8P1Q3B29
Power Automate9NFTCH6J7FHV
Power BI Desktop9NTXR16HNW1T
Quick Assist9P7BP5VNWKX5
Skype9WZDNCRFJ364
Snipping Tool9MZ95KL8MR0L
Surface9WZDNCRFJB8P
Sway9WZDNCRD2G0J
Windows Maps9WZDNCRDTBVB
Windows Media Player9WZDNCRFJ3PT
Windows Sound Recorder9WZDNCRFHWKN
Windows Terminal9N0DX20HK701
Xbox Console Companion9WZDNCRFJBD8
Xbox Game Bar9NZKPSTSNW4P

How to get Microsoft Store apps via Graph API

  • Open Graph Explorer
  • Click on the user icon at the top of the page
  • Login with your admin account
  • In the middle of the screen, you will find the Graph URL bar with the following URL
https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/me
  • Replace the above URL with the following URL
https://graph.microsoft.com/beta/deviceAppManagement/mobileApps?$filter=(isof('microsoft.graph.winGetApp')
  • Click on Run query, you will get all the new Windows Store Apps back when you have already added a new Microsoft Store App. If you have not added a new Microsoft Store App, then your returning array is empty.

How to create Microsoft Store apps via Graph API

  • Open Graph Explorer
  • Click on the user icon at the top of the page
  • Login with your admin account
  • In the middle of the screen, you will find the Graph URL bar with the following URL
https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/me
  • Replace the above URL with the following URL
https://graph.microsoft.com/beta/deviceAppManagement/mobileApps
  • Change the dropdown before the URL from GET to POST
  • Add the following code to the request body
{
    "@odata.type": "#microsoft.graph.winGetApp",
    "displayName": "Microsoft To Do: Lists, Tasks & Reminders",
    "packageIdentifier": "9WZDNCRD2G0J",
    "installExperience": {
        "runAsAccount": "user"
    }
}
  • Click on Run query, You will get a created 201 response action from the Graph API.
  • The new Microsoft Store App is created and available in the app overview in Intune

Note. Check my blog post about multiple GRAPH API requests in one HTTP Call to add multiple Microsoft Store apps to Intune

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.