MSIX - Biggest Update for Windows Installer

Written by Bogdan Mitrache · March 26th, 2018 · 3min read

What is MSIX?

MSIX is Microsoft's vision for the future of Windows Installer. It promises to create a single package that works on all Windows platforms.

Most importantly, MSIX is a complete containerization solution that works with all Win32, WPF, Windows Forms, and UWP applications. It also inherits UPW’s fantastic features.

With the most recent version of Advanced Installer and our Desktop Bridge support, you can test the new MSIX support, which is essentially a significant improvement (in progress) of the current APPX format.

What’s Next?

Given that this is only the start, we believe MSI packages will be supported on Windows 10 for at least a few more years.

However, if we take a look at the MSIX GitHub repo, it hints that Microsoft envisions a future in which MSIX not only replaces the MSI but also creates a package format that cross-platform Microsoft applications can recognize and use on any platform (iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux).

Microsoft Partnership

We are committed to improving the platform, so we are honored to announce the Express edition, developed in partnership with Microsoft.

Watch Kevin Gallo, VP at Microsoft, announce the new MSIX installer technology and the Advanced Installer Express launch in the following video:

This edition extends the Desktop Bridge platform from Microsoft. It is designed to help developers and IT professionals easily migrate an application to APPX format, the first step for getting to an MSIX package in the near future, while still building your MSI packages for the Windows 7 users.

Licensed User?

If you have a Professional or higher license, you already have access to all these features and even more. All you have to do is just:

• Go to Builds page
• Add a UWP APPX build to your project, then start testing

Application Packager?

If you are using our Architect edition, you can open any project for the apps you repackaged and go to the Builds page to generate your MSIX build alongside your MSI build, just like a developer. You don’t need to convert the package again.

Final Takeaways

• MSIX is Microsoft’s long-term direction for Windows installers, combining MSI, APPX, and UWP concepts with a modern packaging format that works with Win32, WPF, Windows Forms, and UWP apps.
• MSIX does not replace MSI overnight. MSI will remain supported for years to come, but MSIX seems like the next path, especially for cross-platform packaging scenarios.
• Advanced Installer provides early access to MSIX, making it possible to adopt MSIX while continuing to deliver stable MSI packages.
• Our Microsoft partnership encourages MSIX adoption, with the Advanced Installer Express edition built in collaboration with Microsoft to extend the Desktop Bridge and simplify the transition from MSI/APPX to MSIX.
• Licensed users already have everything they need: Professional and higher editions can generate and test MSIX builds directly from existing projects.
• Application packagers don’t have to convert the package again, as Architect Edition users can create both MSIX and MSI installers from the same repackaged project.

Conclusion

MSIX is Microsoft’s future installer strategy, built to modernize application deployment and prepare Windows apps for what comes next.

MSI is the present and the most widely supported standard for deployments in all Windows environments.

Advanced Installer allows you to work comfortably in both worlds by helping you build, test, and ship both MSI and MSIX from the same project.

Test Advanced Installer’s MSIX capabilities for 30 days with a free trial.