Packaging, deployment, and query of Windows apps
You deploy, manage, and service Windows apps (including UWPs and desktop apps) through .msix/.appx app packages based on the OPC format. Each app package contains the files that constitute the app, and a manifest file that describes the software to Windows.
Introduction
Typically, developers create and sign app packages using Visual Studio. For more info, see Package a UWP app with Visual Studio.
The Microsoft Store makes it easy to build, submit, and sell your apps to customers around the world. For more info, see App submissions.
Windows PowerShell cmdlets enable you to install and manage line-of-business Windows apps without using the Store. For more info, see Appx Module Cmdlets.
Using the packaging, deployment, and query APIs, you can programmatically perform these tasks:
- Create an app package for a Windows app
- Deploy a packaged Windows app
- Enumerate the app packages installed on a system and get information about them from their manifest
- Consume the contents of an app package
In this section
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| How to create an app package (C++) | Learn how to create an app package using the packaging API. |
| How to create an app package signing certificate | Learn how to use MakeCert and Pvk2Pfx to create a test code signing certificate, so that you can sign your app packages. |
| How to sign an app package using SignTool | Learn how to use SignTool to sign your app packages so they can be deployed. |
| How to troubleshoot app package signature errors | An app deployment failure can be caused by a failure to validate the digital signature of the app package. Learn how to recognize these failures, and what to do about them. |
| How to programmatically sign an app package (C++) | Learn how to sign an app package by using the SignerSignEx2 function. |
| How to develop an OEM app that uses a custom file | Learn how to develop an app that uses a custom file to pass info from the OEM to the app. |
| How to use the Appx module in a netfx host other than powershell.exe | Learn how to use the Appx module in a netfx host other than powershell.exe. |
| Extract app package contents (C++) | Learn how to extract files from an app package using the packaging API. |
| Query app package manifest info (C++) | Learn how to get info from an app package manifest using the packaging API |
| Troubleshooting | Provides info to help you troubleshoot problems you experience when packaging, deploying, or querying an app package. |
| Packaging API reference | The packaging API creates, reads, and writes app packages. |
| Deployment API reference | The deployment API installs, updates, and uninstalls app packages. |
| Query API reference | The query API gets info about the app packages installed on the system. |
| Tools and PowerShell cmdlets | Use these tools and cmdlets to create, install, and manage app packages. |
| SDK samples | Download SDK samples that demonstrate the packaging, deployment, and query APIs for Windows apps. |
| Glossary | Learn about the terms related to packaging, deployment, and query of Windows apps. |
Related topics
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Concepts
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