diff --git a/Release/collateral/Samples/BlackJack/BlackJack_Client/BlackJackClient.cpp b/Release/collateral/Samples/BlackJack/BlackJack_Client/BlackJackClient.cpp
index 706ae94516..0975cb1c54 100644
--- a/Release/collateral/Samples/BlackJack/BlackJack_Client/BlackJackClient.cpp
+++ b/Release/collateral/Samples/BlackJack/BlackJack_Client/BlackJackClient.cpp
@@ -127,7 +127,8 @@ void PrintTable(const http_response &response, bool &refresh)
                 if ( suppressMoney )
                     ucout << "'" << name.as_string() << "'" ;
                 else
-                    fprintf(stdout, "'%s' Balance = $%02g ", name.as_string().c_str(), bet.as_double());
+                    ucout << "'" << name.as_string() << "' Balance = $" << bet.as_double() << " ";
+
                 PrintHand(suppressMoney, BJHand::FromJSON(player[HAND]));
                 ucout << std::endl;
             }
diff --git a/Release/include/cpprest/http_client.h b/Release/include/cpprest/http_client.h
index e312b974b8..20f4dd0ac0 100644
--- a/Release/include/cpprest/http_client.h
+++ b/Release/include/cpprest/http_client.h
@@ -29,6 +29,16 @@
 #ifndef _CASA_HTTP_CLIENT_H
 #define _CASA_HTTP_CLIENT_H
 
+#if defined (__cplusplus_winrt)
+#define __WRL_NO_DEFAULT_LIB__
+#include <wrl.h>
+#include <msxml6.h>
+namespace web { namespace http{namespace client{
+typedef IXMLHTTPRequest2* native_handle;}}}
+#else
+namespace web { namespace http{namespace client{
+typedef void* native_handle;}}}
+#endif // __cplusplus_winrt
 
 #include <memory>
 #include <limits>
@@ -53,6 +63,16 @@ namespace web { namespace http
 namespace client
 {
 
+#ifdef _MS_WINDOWS
+namespace details {
+#ifdef __cplusplus_winrt
+        class winrt_client ;
+#else
+        class winhttp_client;
+#endif // __cplusplus_winrt
+}  
+#endif // _MS_WINDOWS
+
 /// <summary>
 /// credentials represents a set of user credentials (username and password) to be used
 /// for the client and proxy authentication
@@ -130,6 +150,7 @@ class http_client_config
 #if !defined(__cplusplus_winrt)
         , m_validate_certificates(true)
 #endif
+        ,m_set_user_nativehandle_options([](native_handle)->void{})
     {
     }
 
@@ -245,6 +266,15 @@ class http_client_config
     }
 #endif
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Sets a callback to enable custom setting of winhttp options
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="callback">A user callback allowing for customization of the request</param>
+    void set_nativehandle_options(std::function<void(native_handle)> callback)
+    {
+         m_set_user_nativehandle_options = callback;
+    }
+
 private:
     web_proxy m_proxy;
     http::client::credentials m_credentials;
@@ -255,9 +285,29 @@ class http_client_config
 #if !defined(__cplusplus_winrt)
     bool m_validate_certificates;
 #endif
+    std::function<void(native_handle)> m_set_user_nativehandle_options;
 
     utility::seconds m_timeout;
     size_t m_chunksize;
+
+#ifdef _MS_WINDOWS
+#ifdef __cplusplus_winrt
+    friend class details::winrt_client;
+#else
+    friend class details::winhttp_client;
+#endif // __cplusplus_winrt  
+#endif // _MS_WINDOWS
+
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Invokes a user callback to allow for customization of the requst
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="handle">The internal http_request handle</param>
+    /// <returns>True if users set WinHttp/IXAMLHttpRequest2 options correctly, false otherwise.</returns>
+    void call_user_nativehandle_options(native_handle handle) const
+    {
+         m_set_user_nativehandle_options(handle);
+    }
 };
 
 /// <summary>
diff --git a/Release/setup/CasablancaSetup.wxs b/Release/setup/CasablancaSetup.wxs
index 09548f5837..1ced3e3e80 100644
--- a/Release/setup/CasablancaSetup.wxs
+++ b/Release/setup/CasablancaSetup.wxs
@@ -10,11 +10,13 @@
     <?define VSTargetShort = "VS 2012" ?>
     <?define VSTargetFileSuffix = "110" ?>
     <?define SDK_RegKeyName = "110" ?>
+    <?define ExtSDKWinVer = "v8.0" ?>
   <?elseif $(var.VSTargetVersion) = 12 ?>
     <?include VS12\guiddefs.wxi ?>
     <?define VSTargetShort = "VS 2013" ?>
     <?define VSTargetFileSuffix = "120" ?>
     <?define SDK_RegKeyName = "120" ?>
+    <?define ExtSDKWinVer = "v8.1" ?>
   <?endif ?>
 
   <!-- last GUID used:
@@ -163,7 +165,7 @@
           <?if $(var.VSTargetVersion) != 10 ?>
           <Directory Id="Microsoft_SDKs" Name="Microsoft SDKs">
             <Directory Id="Windows" Name="Windows">
-              <Directory Id="v8.0" Name="v8.0">
+              <Directory Id="winver" Name="$(var.ExtSDKWinVer)">
                 <Directory Id="ExtensionSDKs" Name="ExtensionSDKs">
                   <Directory Id="CppRESTWindowsSDK" Name="CppRESTWindowsSDK">
                     <Directory Id="dir_ver" Name="$(var.ProductVersion)">
diff --git a/Release/src/http/client/http_win7.cpp b/Release/src/http/client/http_win7.cpp
index 6d19fb8b23..2855bee4e7 100644
--- a/Release/src/http/client/http_win7.cpp
+++ b/Release/src/http/client/http_win7.cpp
@@ -644,6 +644,17 @@ namespace web { namespace http
 
                     winhttp_context->m_request_data = &m_request_data;
 
+                    //call the callback function of user customized options
+                    try
+                    {
+                        client_config().call_user_nativehandle_options(winhttp_context->m_request_handle);
+                    }
+                    catch (...)
+                    {
+                        request->report_exception(std::current_exception());
+                        return;
+                    }
+
                     _start_request_send(winhttp_context, content_length);
 
                     return;
diff --git a/Release/src/http/client/http_win8.cpp b/Release/src/http/client/http_win8.cpp
index 269c437976..7fc8db21b9 100644
--- a/Release/src/http/client/http_win8.cpp
+++ b/Release/src/http/client/http_win8.cpp
@@ -77,15 +77,15 @@ namespace web { namespace http
                         // Do not read more than the specified read_length
                         msl::utilities::SafeInt<size_t> safe_count = static_cast<size_t>(cb);
                         size_t size_to_read = safe_count.Min(m_read_length);
-                        
+
                         size_t count = m_buffer.getn((uint8_t *)pv, size_to_read).get();
-                        
+
                         if (count == 0 && size_to_read != 0)
                         {
                             *pcbRead = (ULONG)count;
                             return (HRESULT)STG_E_READFAULT;
                         }
-                        
+
                         _ASSERTE(count != static_cast<size_t>(-1));
 
                         if (pcbRead != nullptr)
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ namespace web { namespace http
 
             private:
                 concurrency::streams::streambuf<uint8_t> m_buffer;
-                
+
                 request_context *m_request;
 
                 // Total count of bytes read
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ namespace web { namespace http
                     {
                         IXMLHTTPRequest2 * req = m_request->m_hRequest;
                         if ( req != nullptr ) req->AddRef();
-                            
+
                         if (m_request->m_exceptionPtr != nullptr)
                             m_request->report_exception(m_request->m_exceptionPtr);
                         else    
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ namespace web { namespace http
                         request->report_error(L"The method string is invalid.");
                         return;
                     }
-                    
+
                     if ( msg.method() == http::methods::TRCE )
                     {
                         // Not supported by WinInet. Generate a more specific exception than what WinInet does.
@@ -490,6 +490,18 @@ namespace web { namespace http
                         return;
                     }
 
+                    //call the callback function of user customized options
+                    try
+                    {
+                        config.call_user_nativehandle_options(xhr);
+                    }
+                    catch (...)
+                    {
+                        request->report_exception(std::current_exception());
+                        xhr->Release();
+                        return;
+                    }
+
                     if (content_length == 0)
                     {
                         hr = xhr->Send(nullptr, 0);
diff --git a/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/VS11/HttpClient110_test.vcxproj b/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/VS11/HttpClient110_test.vcxproj
index 8d5fee8798..14fe0371b4 100644
--- a/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/VS11/HttpClient110_test.vcxproj
+++ b/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/VS11/HttpClient110_test.vcxproj
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@
       <SubSystem>Windows</SubSystem>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+      <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|ARM'">
@@ -103,6 +104,7 @@
       <SubSystem>Windows</SubSystem>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+      <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">
@@ -117,6 +119,7 @@
       <SubSystem>Windows</SubSystem>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+      <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'">
@@ -135,6 +138,7 @@
       <EnableCOMDATFolding>true</EnableCOMDATFolding>
       <OptimizeReferences>true</OptimizeReferences>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+      <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|ARM'">
@@ -153,6 +157,7 @@
       <EnableCOMDATFolding>true</EnableCOMDATFolding>
       <OptimizeReferences>true</OptimizeReferences>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+      <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">
@@ -171,6 +176,7 @@
       <EnableCOMDATFolding>true</EnableCOMDATFolding>
       <OptimizeReferences>true</OptimizeReferences>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+      <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemGroup>
diff --git a/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/VS12/HttpClient120_test.vcxproj b/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/VS12/HttpClient120_test.vcxproj
index b291c0a505..4f136d4695 100644
--- a/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/VS12/HttpClient120_test.vcxproj
+++ b/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/VS12/HttpClient120_test.vcxproj
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@
       <SubSystem>Windows</SubSystem>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+	  <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|ARM'">
@@ -116,6 +117,7 @@
       <SubSystem>Windows</SubSystem>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+	  <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">
@@ -129,6 +131,7 @@
       <SubSystem>Windows</SubSystem>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+	  <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'">
@@ -146,6 +149,7 @@
       <EnableCOMDATFolding>true</EnableCOMDATFolding>
       <OptimizeReferences>true</OptimizeReferences>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+	  <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|ARM'">
@@ -163,6 +167,7 @@
       <EnableCOMDATFolding>true</EnableCOMDATFolding>
       <OptimizeReferences>true</OptimizeReferences>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+	  <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">
@@ -180,6 +185,7 @@
       <EnableCOMDATFolding>true</EnableCOMDATFolding>
       <OptimizeReferences>true</OptimizeReferences>
       <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(OutDir);%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+	  <AdditionalDependencies>Winhttp.lib;httpapi.lib;kernel32.lib;user32.lib;gdi32.lib;winspool.lib;comdlg32.lib;advapi32.lib;shell32.lib;ole32.lib;oleaut32.lib;uuid.lib;odbc32.lib;odbccp32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
     </Link>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemGroup>
diff --git a/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/authentication_tests.cpp b/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/authentication_tests.cpp
index 1b57187154..91893c0d2d 100644
--- a/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/authentication_tests.cpp
+++ b/Release/tests/Functional/http/client/authentication_tests.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,18 @@
 ****/
 
 #include "stdafx.h"
+#include <stdexcept>
+
+#ifdef _MS_WINDOWS
+#ifdef __cplusplus_winrt
+#define __WRL_NO_DEFAULT_LIB__
+#include <wrl.h>
+#include <msxml6.h>
+#else
+#include <windows.h>
+#include <winhttp.h>
+#endif
+#endif
 
 using namespace web; 
 using namespace utility;
@@ -409,6 +421,75 @@ TEST_FIXTURE(server_properties, failed_authentication_resend_request_error, "Req
     VERIFY_ARE_EQUAL(200, response.status_code());
 }
 
+#ifdef __cplusplus_winrt
+TEST_FIXTURE(uri_address, set_user_options_winrt)
+{
+    test_http_server::scoped_server scoped(m_uri);
+    scoped.server()->next_request().then([](test_request *p_request)
+    {
+        p_request->reply(status_codes::OK); 
+    });
+
+    http_client_config config;
+    config.set_nativehandle_options([](native_handle handle)->void{
+        auto hr = handle->SetProperty(XHR_PROP_TIMEOUT, 1000);
+        if(!SUCCEEDED(hr))
+            throw std::runtime_error("The Test Exception");
+    });
+    http_client client(m_uri, config);
+    auto response = client.request(methods::GET).get();
+    VERIFY_ARE_EQUAL(200, response.status_code());
+}
+#endif // __cplusplus_winrt
+
+#ifdef _MS_WINDOWS
+#if !defined(__cplusplus_winrt)
+TEST_FIXTURE(server_properties, set_user_options, "Requires", "Server;UserName;Password")
+{
+    load_parameters();
+
+    http_client_config config;
+    config.set_credentials(credentials(m_username, m_password));
+
+    config.set_nativehandle_options([&](native_handle handle)->void{
+        DWORD policy = WINHTTP_AUTOLOGON_SECURITY_LEVEL_LOW;
+        if (!WinHttpSetOption(handle,
+                         WINHTTP_OPTION_AUTOLOGON_POLICY,
+                         &policy, 
+                         sizeof(policy)))
+        {
+            throw std::runtime_error("The Test Error");
+        }
+    });
+
+    http_client client(m_uri, config);
+
+    const size_t rawDataSize = 8;
+
+    std::vector<unsigned char> data(rawDataSize);
+    memcpy(&data[0], "raw data", rawDataSize);
+
+    http_request request;
+    request.set_method(methods::POST);
+    request.set_body(data);
+
+    VERIFY_ARE_EQUAL(200, client.request(request).get().status_code());
+}
+#endif
+
+TEST_FIXTURE(uri_address, set_user_options_exceptions)
+{
+    test_http_server::scoped_server scoped(m_uri);
+    http_client_config config;
+    class TestException;
+    config.set_nativehandle_options([](native_handle handle)->void{
+        (handle);
+        throw std::runtime_error("The Test exception");
+    });
+    http_client client(m_uri, config);
+    VERIFY_THROWS(client.request(methods::GET).get(), std::runtime_error);
+}
+#endif // _MS_WINDOWS
 #pragma endregion 
 
 // Fix for 522831 AV after failed authentication attempt