Merge pull request MicrosoftDocs#5825 from MicrosoftDocs/main638937219893341306sync_temp

For protected branch, push strategy should use PR and merge to target branch method to work around git push error

Author: learn-build-service-prod[bot]

hub/apps/publish/partner-center/open-a-developer-account.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: Steps to open a Windows developer account in Partner Center
 description: Here's an overview of how to open a Windows developer account for Microsoft Store in Partner Center.
-ms.date: 11/3/2022
+ms.date: 9/17/2025
 ms.topic: how-to
 ms.localizationpriority: medium
 ---
@@ -17,44 +17,79 @@ There are 2 types of developer accounts available in Partner Center: **Individua
 - **Small scale creators** producing content for non-commercial purposes 
 - Individuals creating digital content as a **hobbyist, amateur, school, or personal project**
 
-You can watch the following video to understand how to open individual developer account:
 
-</br>
+For more details, you can refer to the steps below:
 
->[!VIDEO https://learn-video.azurefd.net/vod/player?id=663fa063-4205-4b88-a473-4a2782d49197]
+## Step-by-Step Flow
 
-For more details, you can refer to the steps below:
+1. **Go to** [storedeveloper.microsoft.com](https://storedeveloper.microsoft.com)
 
-### Steps to open individual account
+   > **Note for existing developers:**  If you already have a developer account and sign in with an existing MSA, you will skip Steps 5–8 and be taken directly to Step 9. Alternatively, you can go straight to the [Partner Center apps and games page](https://aka.ms/submitwindowsapp).
 
-1. Navigate to the [registration page](https://aka.ms/partnercenterregistration).
+![Store developer website](../images/new-website.png)
 
-1. Now, sign in with your Microsoft account. If you do not have a Microsoft account, click on **Create an account**. The Microsoft account you use here is what you'll use to sign in to your developer account. If you want to know what is a Microsoft account, [click here.](https://aka.ms/microsoftaccount)
+2. **Click “Get started for free”** to begin.
 
-1. Next step is to join a partner program. Partner Center is home to partner programs for multiple marketplaces including Windows. For submitting apps to Microsoft Store, join the **Windows and Xbox** program.
+3. Select **Individual developer** (free). If you’re a business, select Company account.
 
-1. Select the [country or region](account-types-locations-and-fees.md#developer-account-and-app-submission-markets) where you live or where your business is located. You won't be able to change this later.
+   > **Note for Company developers:** Selecting **Company account** will redirect you to the existing onboarding flow for Company developers. Learn more about Company account setup [here](/windows/apps/publish/partner-center/open-a-developer-account?tabs=company).
 
-1. Select your developer account type. If account type selection is available, choose **Individual**. If the options are grayed out, the system has pre-determined your account type (commonly defaulting to Individual) based on your Microsoft account and other factors.
+![Choose account type](../images/choose-account.png)
 
-1. Enter the **publisher display name** that you want to use (50 characters or fewer). Select this carefully, as customers will see this name when browsing and will come to know your apps by this name. 
+4. **Sign in** with your Microsoft account (MSA) or create a new one.
 
-   > [!NOTE]
-   > Make sure you have the rights to use the name you enter here. If someone else has trademarked or copyrighted the name you picked, your account could be closed. See [App Developer Agreement](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=528905) for more info. If someone else is using a publisher display name for which you hold the trademark or other legal right, [contact Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyrtInfrg.html).
+5. **Begin identity verification** with a government-issued ID and selfie.
 
-1. Enter the **contact info** you want to use for your developer account.
+6. **Capture** your ID and selfie on mobile in good lighting with original documents.
 
-   > [!NOTE]
-   > We'll use this info to contact you about account-related matters. For example, you'll receive an email confirmation after you complete your registration. After that, we'll send messages when we pay you or if you need to fix something with your account. We may also send informational emails as described earlier, unless you opt out of receiving non-transactional emails.
-   
-1. Then, read and accept the terms and conditions of the [App Developer Agreement](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=528905). 
+7. **Complete** your profile details. Review your auto-filled information, and update if required.
 
-1. Select **Accept and Continue** to move on to the **Payment** section.
+8. Complete your account setup and click **“Go to Partner Center dashboard”**
+
+9. After clicking, you’ll first be prompted with the **Microsoft account (MSA) picker**  
+> - Select the same account you used earlier to create your Store developer account.  
+> - Once signed in, you’ll land on the "Apps & Games overview" page.  
+
+> **Note:** If you're not taken there immediately:  
+> - Wait ~5 minutes and refresh your browser until you see the **Apps & Games** tile, then click it.  
+> - Or navigate directly to the [Partner Center apps and games page](https://aka.ms/submitwindowsapp) after a few minutes.
+
+![Account setup complete](../images/apps-games-overview-page.png)
+
+You’ll be redirected to Partner Center to finish setup and publish your first app.
+
+## Need help? Contact us
+
+If you need assistance with the new account onboarding process for individual developers (zero registration fees), you can email us directly at **storesupport@service.microsoft.com**. This inbox is only for issues related to the new onboarding process in **flighted markets**.
 
-1. Enter your payment info for the one-time registration fee. The individual account costs approximately **$19 USD**. (The fees varies depending on your [country or region](./account-types-locations-and-fees.md#developer-account-and-app-submission-markets)). If you have a promo code that covers the cost of registration, you can enter that here. Otherwise, provide your credit card info (or PayPal info in supported markets). Note that prepaid credit cards can't be used for this purchase. When you're finished, select **Pay and Register** to complete the registration.
+For help with anything else — including account creation or management, app submission, app certification, or app analytics — please raise a support ticket [here](https://aka.ms/windowsdevelopersupport).  
+You can also explore guidance in our [publishing documentation](/windows/apps/publish).
 
-1. After payment you will receive an email to confirm your email address. Once confirmed, start your [app submission process](/windows/apps/publish/?tabs=msix-pwa-getting-started#get-started-with-app-submission).
 
+## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
+
+
+### Do I need to pay the registration fee?
+
+No — if you're using the new flow via the [Store marketing page](https://storedeveloper.microsoft.com/) in a flighted market. If you land on the legacy flow via other entry points or are in a non-flighted market, the registration fee still applies.  
+
+The free onboarding flow applies only to individual developers. Company accounts continue to pay a one-time $99 USD registration fee as part of the existing onboarding process.
+
+### How do I access the new flow?
+
+You must begin your journey at [storedeveloper.microsoft.com](https://storedeveloper.microsoft.com). This is the only supported entry point during the flighting phase. Other paths (e.g. direct via Partner Center, Xbox, or Visual Studio) will show the legacy flow.
+
+### Why is ID verification required?
+
+To ensure platform integrity. Verifying your identity helps protect against fraud and impersonation, which in turn improves safety for customers and trust in the developer ecosystem.
+
+### What happens to my ID data?
+
+Your ID information is used solely for verification and processed securely per Microsoft’s privacy standards. Microsoft may retain non-PII data like Publisher name and country for support and dispute resolution purposes.
+
+### I already have a developer account—do I need to use this?
+
+No — this flow is only for new individual developers creating their account for the first time.
 
 ## [Open company developer account](#tab/company)
 
@@ -110,13 +145,13 @@ After you've completed the signup process, your account will go through the veri
 
 You can check your verification status on the [Account settings](https://aka.ms/windowsdevaccountverification) page.
 
+> [!NOTE]
+> There is a known issue where users in some locales might be unable to finish completing their registration. Until we can confirm that it is resolved, we recommend that you manually change your browser's locale tag to **en-us** once you begin the sign-up process on partner.microsoft.com.
+
 ---
 
 > [!NOTE]
 > In some cases, the screens and fields you see when you register for a developer account may vary slightly from what's outlined in the above steps. But the basic information and process will match what these steps describe.
 
-> [!NOTE]
-> There is a known issue where users in some locales might be unable to finish completing their registration. Until we can confirm that it is resolved, we recommend that you manually change your browser's locale tag to **en-us** once you begin the sign-up process on partner.microsoft.com.
-
 > [!TIP]
 > If you're unsure which account type is appropriate for your situation, look for the "Learn More" link during registration for additional guidance on account types, or refer to our [account types documentation](account-types-locations-and-fees.md) to understand the differences between Individual and Company accounts.