Is it possible to package and sign an extension for Microsoft Edge?

Question

I have Microsoft Developer subscription, since it isn't yet possible to publish extensions in the store, I would like to distribute them myself. Is it possible? Could I sign appx with valid certificate?

Answer 1

I think packaging the appx in sideload mode may help you, you can distribute it yourself. For detail, please see
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/packaging/packaging-uwp-apps

For how to create a certificate:
1. create certificate
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/itpro/powershell/windows/pkiclient/new-selfsignedcertificate Example:

New-SelfSignedCertificate -Type Custom -Subject "CN=BurningFish" -KeyUsage DigitalSignature -CertStoreLocation "Cert:\LocalMachine\My"

You will get path of the certificate, such as A0A89249221A0BA3E8681A12021966475079214B.
2. export the PFX with powershell command:

$pwd = ConvertTo-SecureString -String "password" -Force -AsPlainText 
Export-PfxCertificate -cert "Cert:\LocalMachine\My\A0A89249221A0BA3E8681A12021966475079214B" -FilePath C:\Temp\MyKey.pfx -Password $pwd

For how to package and sign the appx
I provide a solution in the question:Packging of Edge Extension which support nativemessaging(UWP app).

Prerequisites to run the appx
Set the system to sideload mode:
Go to Setting-> Update & security -> For Developers -> Sideload apps.

Answer 2

You can pack, sign and deploy to the store by yourself: this is known as side loading apps. All you have to do is follow this process step by step.

You cannot distribute this to other users, and you can only install on your own machine. Distribution is currently limited only through the store.