Windows app formatsSolved

We usually prefer MSIX or EXE formats for app deployment in our organization.

How does APPX fit into this? I’m having a hard time figuring out if the file is MSIX or if it’s just an APPX with the file extension changed to MSIX.

From a packaging perspective, there’s no need to distinguish between them. The runtime will automatically handle the file based on the manifest declarations. It won’t affect the deployment since both APPX and MSIX formats share a common deployment stack.

Can APPX also be used for deployment? What’s the difference between APPX and MSIX in that context?

APPX is a more limited version of MSIX. Initially, APPX was the only format allowed for installing UWP apps. MSIX format was designed to replace both APPX and the traditional MSI format for desktop applications and it is now the preferred method for distributing UWP apps, offering better security, and improved management capabilities. If you have the option, MSIX is the preferred choice for new deployments.

So, if I have an APPX file, would it be better to convert it to MSIX?

Yeah, you could try converting the APPX file to MSIX. Or, if you are using Hexnode, you can probably try adding the app as an enterprise app.

Just checked, Hexnode supports MSI, MSIX, EXE file formats for enterprise app installation.

In that case, you could use the Execute Custom Script action on Hexnode to deploy your APPX file to the devices.

Thanks for clearing my doubts!