Forum Discussion
Modification Package not doing what I want
Hi,
I am struggling with a modification package. I created an MSIX for a 18.2 version of an application. That works like a charm. Now I wanted to create a modification package for version 18.3. Basically it is just one exe file with the same name as for 18.2 that gets replaced. I had the expectation that during the modification package creation process there would be a step to record the first run options but there isn't. I run the installer for the 18.3 version and the modification package gets created. I can also install it after the 18.2 is present. But when I launch the shortcut I get the 18.2 started instead of the 18.3. This is not what I want/expected. I also tried with the 18.2 already installed (original installer) and then install the 18.3 but that gives the same result. Anyone excperienced something like? Can't figure out what i am doing wrong here.
For this scenario, consider doing a second full conversion of your 18.3 installer. That should give you the cleanest capture of the file and registry changes. Keep the package identity the same as the package you created for 18.2 and just increment the version number of the MSIX.
By virtue of being MSIX packages, when you install the 18.3 package, the deployment process will compare the block hashes of the new package with the existing installation. It will attempt to scope the actual deployment work to only files that have changed. Additionally, this update should preserve the apps user data, so only the underlying installation files should change.
Note: If you have configuration that is contained within the apps installation files or registry keys, that's where you might consider leveraging a modification package. The modification package can persist across full updates, so if you needed to always customize a particular registry key, for instance, the modification package would be appropriate.
- Dian Hartono
Microsoft
Hi, are you trying to create a new version (18.3 version) of your application that you converted into an MSIX (18.2 version)?
Hi, yes that is what I want to achieve. I made an MSIX of 18.2. That works fine. Now I have a 18.3 executable and my thoughts were to create a modification package to upgrade 18.2 on the machines. The modification package creation went fine and I can install it but the shortcut keeps running 18.2. So I think I misunderstand the behaviour of modification packages.
- Dian Hartono
Right, modification packages are used to customize main packages. Looks like you are trying to update your existing MSIX to the next version. You can do this in MSIX Packaging tool under package editor and changing the executable. Make sure to update the version number of your package and resign your package.
Helpful docs https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/msix/packaging-tool/package-editor
