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App Installer Tab

App Installer allows installation of Windows 10 apps by double clicking the app package. In this page you can configure the App Installer settings

AppInstaller

An AppInstaller is an XML file that contains information about an APPX/MSIX package. It is used by Windows to check for updates to the package and to install them automatically.

URL

A folder containing the MSIX resulted from the build (the output of the build must be copied in this folder). Both https and file:// protocols are supported.

ImportantThe dependencies of the package are expected to be in a subfolder named Dependencies under the folder above. Also the package of each dependency must have the name identical with its package ID.

Frequency check

Select how often will Windows check if your application has pending updates.

Show prompt

Informs the user about the update through a prompt.

Available in Windows 10, version 1903 and later.

Updates block activation

Available only if Show Prompt is checked. Stops the user from launching the application until the update has been installed.

Enabling this option will give the user the option to decide if he wants to install the update or to close the app.

Leaving this option disabled will give the user the option to decide if he wants to install the update or start the app without updating. In this case, the update will be later applied silently.

Available in Windows 10, version 1903 and later.

Automatic background task

With this option enabled, periodic checks for updates are made in the background even if the application was not launched. The check for updates interval is 8 hours.

Available in Windows 10, version 1803 and later.

Force update from any version

Enables updating from a higher version to a lower version. Without this option, the app can only be updated to a higher version.

Available in Windows 10, version 1809 and later.

Custom AppInstaller UI

Microsoft App Installer is used for the installation of all MSIX packages, providing a consistent experience for users but, sometimes, developers need to customize the install experience. This customization can be implemented by configuring the following settings:

Use custom UI

Check this option to enable the Custom AppInstaller

Window

App name in tile

Check this option to display the app name in the installer window title.

Allow user interaction

Check this option to enable the user to see the "launch when ready" checkbox (checked by default) and to give him the option to cancel the install.

Launch When Ready checkbox alignment

Configure the alignment for "launch when ready":

  • Left
  • Center
  • Right
Mode

Configure the additional information show type:

  • Flyout
  • Show
Font family

Specify the font family.

Accent color

Specify accent color of App Installer (a hex code).

Background color

Specify the background color of App Installer (a hex code).

Application Icon

Logo

Specify the logo of your application by clicking on [ ... ] button. You can either choose the image from the project or from the disk.

Horizontal alignment

Specify the icon alignment within the window:

  • Left
  • Center
  • Right
Size

Specify the icon size:

  • Default
  • Medium
Top margin

Specify the margin from the top of the icon to the top of the application window.

Windows Buttons

Text

Specify additional text to add to the Install buttons.

Horizontal Alignment

Specify the button alignment within the window:

  • Left
  • Center
  • Right
Orientation

Specify the button orientation:

  • Horizontal
  • Vertical
Primary button mode

Specify the primary button mode:

  • Normal
  • Hyperlink
Is secondary button accent

Check this button to specify secondary button accent.

Hyperlinks

Font size

Specify the hyperlink font size.

Top margin

Specify the margin between hyperlink and buttons.

To add a new hyperlink click on [ New ..] button. The Edit Hyperlink Properties dialog will be displayed.

Use [ Edit ..] and [ Delete ..] buttons to edit or delete a hyperlink from the list.

Unconfirmmed Microsoft Bugs

There are some known issues:

  • AllowUserInteraction (Boolean)
  • If set to true, the user will see the "Launch when ready" checkbox (checked by default) and has the option to cancel the install. TShis setting has no effect due to a bug from Microsoft.
  • LaunchWhenReady Checkbox Alignment
  • Controls the alignment of the "Launch when ready" checkbox: Center, Left, or Right. When set to Center, it overlaps with other buttons.
    Workaround: Change the orientation under Window Buttons to Vertical.
  • UX::BackgroundColor
  • A hex code used to change the background color of the App Installer. This setting has no effect, as the background color will always follow the Windows theme (dark or light) based on system settings.

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