Introduction

This blog post is the first part of a series of three.

Back when Microsoft introduced Windows Installer (MSI), its purpose was to make a great experience installing, uninstalling and maintaining the application during its lifecycle. What the MSI installed on the client, it would remove from the client. This ability to clean up does not extend data that is created by the application and stored in the user profile whether it is in the HKCU registry hive or in the user’s AppData folders.

The ideal solution would be something that can easily package any Win32 application and allow it to be installed, run conflict-free, and be removed while keeping the OS pristine.

Welcome to MSIX!

Prerequisites for using MSIX

• Windows 10, version 1809 or later
• Microsoft Account to access the MSIX packaging app from Microsoft Store

What we know about MSIX

First of all: MSIX has no ties to the MSI package format. It is a completely new way to handle software packaging. MSIX is open source and the technology will work not only on Windows 7 and Windows 10, but also Linux, OSX, iOS and Android.

The new package format provides a unified packaging format for Win32, Desktop Bridge, and UWP applications. The format utilizes the AppX application framework and will be supported in the Microsoft Store.

It brings the concept of Modern Management:

• It uses streaming technology to optimize bandwith by only downloading the differences between an existing package and an upgrade.
• The application lives inside a virtual application container which ensures strict isolation between the application and the operating system.
• Capturing products is performed similarly to MSI packaging. MSIX support converting EXE installers and MSI packages unattended. (EXE installers need to support silent installation)
• Reboot while capturing is not supported. The tool cannot save its state and continue after a reboot. For now, a required restart should be ignored or suppressed.

Want to research more?

See this session from Microsoft Ignite – MSIX inside and out. It is 1 hour and 14 minutes presentation from our Microsoft Ignite in Orlando, September 2018, with John Vintzel, Principal Program Manager Lead MSIX and Nona Sirakova, Program Manager II.

https://myignite.techcommunity.microsoft.com/sessions/64604