Students: How to set up your free Windows Store developer account with DreamSpark

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Are you a student?  Good news!  You can publish and sell apps in the Windows Store for free!  But how do you set this up?  Hpefully this will simplify the process for you.

First, go to https://dreamspark.com and click on “Learn more” under “DreamSpark for Students.”

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Click on “Create Account” to set up your DreamSpark account.  This is your student account that provides you with free helpful resources from Microsoft.

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Fill out your information and “continue to verify.”

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You can get your account verified in one of three ways: (1) using your school .EDU email address (2) using your ISIC card number or (3) using a verification code that you may have received from a Microsoft representative.

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Once your account is verified you can sign into DreamSpark at https://www.dreamspark.com

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You can confirm that you’re verified once you sign in under “Create Account.”  Now click on “app development” at the top.

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Click on “Learn more” under the Windows 8 section.

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Scroll down and click on “Get your Registration Code.”

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Click on “Get code Now.”  Keep this tab open, so you can use this code later when you’re asked for $49 to set up a Windows Store account.

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Open a new tab and go to https://dev.windows.com.  Sign in at the top right.  You may need to set up a Microsoft account.  You can either use an existing email address or create a new one to set up your Microsoft account.  This is different from your DreamSpark account, as you can use your Microsoft account to download or publish Windows Store apps, store and share files on SkyDrive, etc.  After you’ve signed in, go to Dashboard.

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The first time you sign in on a new device with an account, Microsoft will ask you to verify this account by sending you an access code either via SMS, phone call, or email.

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Once you receive the email, text, or phone call with the code, enter and submit the code you just received.  This may take a few minutes to receive, so please be patient.  If you don’t want to do this again on your current device, be sure to check the box.

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Now you can start filling out information to set up your account.

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Your DreamSpark account comes with a free Individual account.  Click on “Enroll now.”

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Accept the terms and conditions of the App Developer Agreement.

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Remember that registration code you got earlier from the DreamSpark account?  It should be open in the other tab.  Enter that and click on “Update total.”  Your total should become 0.00

You’ll be asked to provide a credit card for verification purposes.  Microsoft will withdraw a small amount (<$5) from your account, then put it back and ask you to verify the amount.

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Congratulations!  You’re all set up with a free Windows Store developer account, and you’re ready to submit apps to the Windows Store!

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