Microsoft has released an updated version of the Windows App Studio which now supports Windows 10 Store packages.

Windows App Studio has been available for more than two years, and has been regularly updated with each new OS update from Microsoft. The tool was last updated six months ago with support for the development of Windows 10 apps. Now, the company has gone a step further by allowing users to publish their apps to the Windows Store directly from App Studio without the need of Visual Studio.

App makers can now create and publish Universal Windows 10 apps right from App Studio, but that's not all that has been changed in the new update. It also comes with the following features that improve the App Studio's usability:

Windows 10 Store Package with Screen Shots

Immersive Simulator (full screen web view)

Windows App Studio Collection App

Live Tiles Editor

Advanced theme and icon editors

Better sideloading support for Windows 10 apps

Hero Image Editor

Improvements to the UX in apps generated with added visual features

Initial Windows 10 IoT support

Windows App Studio NuGet packages

Source code on GitHub for libraries and sample apps

Additionally, Windows 8.1 apps can now be converted to Universal Windows 10 apps using the latest version of App Studio, and can be publish-ready in no time. Users who have been using the App Studio for creating apps for Windows and Windows Phone should update to this version to target Microsoft's latest operating system.

Source: Microsoft