Running Windows 10 Universal Apps on Windows 8.1

Question

Can I run the universal Windows 10 application on Windows 8.1? I searched a lot, but I did not find a clear answer on MSDN, etc.

Thank.

Answer 1

The answer will be no. For further clarification, it is best to post on the forum: https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsapps/en-US/home?forum=wpdevelop

Windows 10 introduces several new APIs and concepts (such as API contracts) that are not available in Windows 8.1. An application based on such new APIs and concepts cannot work on Windows 8.1. In addition, the model application and many packaging machines for Windows 10 Universal Apps are very different from Windows 8.1. Applications created with such new information cannot be successfully understood by Windows 8.1 for deployment. In addition, the Store will not make Windows 10 applications available for download on Windows 8.1.

Answer 2

The Universal Windows Application is a Windows experience based on the Universal Windows Platform (UWP), which was first introduced in Windows 8 as the Windows Runtime. Universal Windows applications are most often distributed through the Windows Store (but can also be downloaded side-by-side) and are most often packaged and distributed using the .APPX packaging format.

"The best way to get ready for Windows 10 is to build your universal Windows for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1." - Microsoft

How to create a universal link for Windows 8.1