Deploy MSIX Core apps with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager

Article
06/03/2022

The delivery of MSIX applications using the Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager allows IT Pros to link other applications as dependencies, forcing them to install prior to. By creating a dependency to the MSIX Core application, we enforce the MSIX Core application to be installed only when required by the device. For more information on application dependencies in Micosoft Endpoint Configuration Manager see: Create Applications: Deployment type Dependencies.

Get started

The following steps will guide you through setting up an MSIX Core deployment strategy by using Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager:

Deploy MSIX Core with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager
Update your existing MSIX package to support MSIX Core
Deploy MSIX Core Apps with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager

Creating the MSIX Core Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager application

The following will guide you through the creation of a Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager application, for the purpose of deploying MSIX Core apps to client devices.

Assuming you followed the previous guides (See the list of guides in the Get Started section above) and have retrieved/updated/created an MSIX Core enlightened app. As well as have copied the app to a file share that is accessible by the Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager tool. The next step is to deploy the new app to client devices within your environment.

Create MSIX Core dependent application in Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager

From within the Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager console navigate to: Software Library > Overview / Application Management / Applications.
Select Create Application from the ribbon.
Select the Manually specify the application information radio button.
Select the Next button.
Enter the application details into the appropriate fields.
Select the Next button twice.
Select the Add button.
Set the Type to Script Installer.
Select the Next button.
Enter the application name with a suffix of " - MSIXCore" (IE: "Application Y - MSIXCore").
Select the Next button.
Select the Browse button next to Content location and navigate to the file share containing the app installation media.
Select the Select Folder button.
Select the Browse button next to Installation Program, set the file type to be All Files ( * . * ) and select the installation media.
Select the Open button.
Update the Installation program field to:

"C:\Program Files\msixmgr\msixmgr.exe -AddPackage [Application.msix] -quietUX"

Set the Uninstall program field to be:

"C:\Program Files\msixmgr\msixmgr.exe" -RemovePackage [Package Family Name] -quietUX

Replace [Package Family Name] with the package family name of the MSIX application.
Select the Next button.
Select the Use a custom script to detect the presence of this deployment type radio button.
Select the Edit button.
Verify that Script type is set as PowerShell
Enter the following:

Set-Location "C:\Program Files\msixmgr"

IF([Boolean]$(get-item "msixmgr.exe"))
{
    $Result = $(.\msixmgr.exe -FindPackage [Package Family Name]*)

    IF($($Result.GetType().Name) -eq "Object[]")
    {
        Return 1
    }
}

Update [Package Family Name] with the MSIX package family name of the application.
Select the Ok button.
Select the Next button.
Set the Installation behavior to Install for User.
Set the Maximum allowed run time (minutes) and Estimated installation time (minutes) to values approriate for this application.
Set the Installation program visibility as Hidden.
Select the Next button.
Select the Add button.
Ensure the Category has been set to Device.
Set the Condition as Operating system
Select the Windows 7 checkbox from the list of Operating systems.
Select the Ok button.
Select the Next button.
Select the Add button.
Set the Dependency group name as MSIX Core.
Select the Add button.
Select MSIX Core from the list of Available applications.
Select both 32-bit and 64-bit options from the Deployment types list.
Select the Ok button.
Select the Ok button.
Select the Next button twice.
Select the Close button.

Add non-MSIX Core dependent deployment type

Select the Add button.
Ensure the Type has been set to Windows app package (*.appx, *.appxbundle, *.msix, *.msixbundle).
Select the Browse... button and navigate to the MSIX Core enlighted application installation media, then select the Open button.
Select the Next button six times.
Select the Close button.
Select the Next button twice.
Select the Close button.