MSIX package deployment from MSI - Errors are not captured

[shobz_krish]

Hello,
I have created a hybrid setup as detailed here (to sideload a MSIX package using a MSI):
1) Created a Bootstrapper.
2) Added a MSIX package (MsixSample New 1.msix) as resource file to the Bootstrapper.
3) Added a custom action to enable sideloading.
4) Added a custom action ("Install AppX/MSIX package") to install the MSIX package. Custom action type is 1026.

All happy paths work fine and the MSIX package gets deployed successfully.
But, for error scenarios (for example, the certificate is not installed), the installer finishes off without showing any error - although the MSIX package was NOT deployed.

The log file is attached (

LOG Without MSIX Certificate Installed.log

(313.83 KiB) Downloaded 259 times

) for reference.
It seems that the installer does NOT identify the errors occurring during the MSIX package installation. Please clarify!

Regards,
Shobz

[Daniel]

Hi Shobz,

Could you please run your EXE setup package with a command line like this:

Code: Select all

setup.exe /exelog exeLog.txt /L*V msiLog.txt

and check the content of your EXE log.

If you are using the "Bundle with EXE" option from "Builds" page for your MSIX build, then please note that the MSIX installation errors are logged in the EXE log.

All the best,
Daniel

[shobz_krish]

Hello Daniel,
MSIX installation errors are logged in the EXE log, with the option "Bundle with EXE" - PFA the EXE log

ExeLog_MsixBundledWithEXE.txt

(3.31 KiB) Downloaded 270 times

.

Whereas, in case of packaging an external MSIX package (using a custom action), the installation errors are NOT logged in the EXE log - PFA the EXE log

ExeLog _MsixUsingCustomAction.txt

(1.61 KiB) Downloaded 266 times

.
In addition, PFA the MSI log

MSILog_MsixUsingCustomAction.txt

(304.84 KiB) Downloaded 279 times

.

Regards,
Shobz

[Daniel]

Hi Shobz,

Indeed, it seems when using our "Install MSIX/Appx Package" predefined custom action, this custom action always succeeds, even when there is an MSIX installation failure. Also the MSIX installation failure is not logged (it shuld be logged into the MSI log file) by the above custom action.

This is an Advanced Installer issue, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will try to address this in a future version of Advanced Installer and when so we will notify you on this thread. Until then I am afraid there is no workaround solution when using this custom action type.

All the best,
Daniel

[shobz_krish]

Thank you Dan!
Hoping to get a fixed version soon.

Regards,
Shobz

[shobz_krish]

Hello Dan,
Just need another clarification please.
Will the MSIX packages deployed through hybrid installations (either using "Bundle with EXE" or with "Install Appx/MSIX" custom action) have all the MSIX benefits (like Disk space optimization, differential updates etc)?

Regards,
Shobz

[Daniel]

Hi Shobz,

Yes, the MSIX deployed either using our dedicated custom action or through our EXE wrapper benefits of all the MSIX deployment features.

All the best,
Daniel

[shobz_krish]

Hello Daniel,
Good to know.

To benefit the MSIX feature namely, the Automatic updates, "Install Appx/MSIX" custom action or "Bundle with EXE" should be able to install MSIX packages, NOT just with the .msix files but also with .appinstaller files. Right now, MSIX installation with .appinstaller file doesn't seem to work.
Is this NOT supported yet?

Regards,
Shobz

[shobz_krish]

Hello Daniel,
Any response for the last posted query please?

Regards,
Shobz

[Daniel]

Hi Shobz,

I apologize for the delayed reply on this.

I am afraid currently we do not have support for "Install Appx/MSIX" custom action nor for the "Bundle with EXE" option to run an .appinstaller file.

I have added this improvement on our todo list and when it will be available in the future I will update this forum thread. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

All the best,
Daniel

[shobz_krish]

Thanks Daniel!

[Daniel]

You are always welcome Shobz.

All the best,
Daniel

[Catalin]

Hello,

This improvement has been added in version 16.8 of Advanced Installer, released on February 18th, 2020.

Best regards,
Catalin

[Ragitha]

hi,
MSIX errors are captured and displayed using bundle with exe option.
when using install MSIX/APPX custom action it just rollback installation without showing any error .
how to handle errors in this case?

[Daniel]

Hi,

Indeed, the MSIX custom action errors are only logged in the MSI log.

So, you can just investigate the MSI installation log. Doesn't this help you?

All the best,
Daniel