Windows Store Apps, the Windows Runtime, and the C Run-Time
Windows Store apps are programs that run in the Windows Runtime that executes on Windows 8. The Windows Runtime is a trustworthy environment that controls the functions, variables, and resources that are available to a Windows Store app. However, by design, Windows Runtime restrictions prevent the use of most C Run-Time Library (CRT) features in Windows Store apps.
The Windows Runtime does not support the following CRT features:
Most CRT functions that are related to unsupported functionality.
For example, a Windows Store app cannot create a process by using the exec and spawn families of routines.
When a CRT function is not supported in a Windows Store app, that fact is noted in its reference article.
Most multibyte character and string functions.
However, both Unicode and ANSI text are supported.
Console apps and command-line arguments.
However, traditional desktop apps still support the console and command-line arguments.
Environment variables.
The concept of a current working directory.
Windows Store apps and DLLs that are statically linked to the CRT and built by using the /MT or /MTd compiler options.
That is, an app that uses a multithread, static version of the CRT.
An app that's built by using the /MDd compiler option.
That is, a debug, multithread, and DLL-specific version of the CRT. Such an app is not supported on the Windows Store.
For a complete list of CRT functions that are not available in a Windows Store app and suggestions for alternative functions, see CRT functions not supported with /ZW.
See Also
Reference
Windows Runtime Unsupported CRT Functions