What’s new in the MSIX Packaging Tool: February 2023

The latest build (v1.2023.118.0) of the MSIX Packaging Tool is now available. We have continued to invest supporting the conversion of more legacy applications to the MSIX format, while reducing the effort required during the conversion process. Here is a rundown of the major improvements in the latest release, which you can download from the Microsoft Store.

• Support for portable apps
• Child process monitoring
• Exclude services
• PSF – Argument redirection
• Other productivity enhancements:
  • MSIX Package Editor enhancements
  • Quick inclusion of trace fixup

Support for portable apps

MSIX app attach is an efficient way to do application streaming in the enterprise. The MSIX packaging tool now supports packaging portable apps into MSIX format, enabling them to be app attach ready.

1. Zip the folder containing the portable app.
2. Within the Package Creation flow in MSIX packaging tool, select the zip file.
3. Continue the conversion process to create a MSIX package.

Animation of packaging portable apps into MSIX format

Child process monitoring

The MSIX packaging tool now monitors child processes. It's created by the original application during the capture process, helping increase the accuracy of the conversion.

Exclude services

The MSIX Packaging tool now supports the ability to exclude a list of Windows services during the packaging process. Applications that couldn't be packaged because of a dependency on existing Windows services can now be packaged.

To leverage this capability, navigate to the Settings icon on the MSIX packaging tool. There you will see a new setting for Service Exclusion. All the default Windows services will be shown in the list and can be managed through this Settings screen.

Screenshot of the MSIX packaging tool’s ‘Service Exclusions’ tab

Package Support Framework – argument redirection

The (Package Support Framework (PSF) runs in an MSIX container. This helps you apply fixes to your existing application when you don't have access to the source code.

PSF now supports argument redirection, which redirects createProcess call arguments from the native AppData folder to per user, per app data.

Package Editor enhancements

Making edits to configurations post conversion will now be easier. No longer will you need to follow the path of unpackaging, editing, and repackaging to make modifications post-conversion.

1. Navigate to the Package editor.
2. Right click on the file you need to modify.
3. Select Edit option in the context menu to help you make modifications faster.

Screenshot of 'Package editor' tab showing the option to edit

Quick inclusion of trace fixups

The MSIX packaging tool makes debugging easier. To investigate packages that fail to convert, you can now include trace fixup in your package via the UI screen.

Navigate to Package editor and select "Enable tracing of API calls" to include the trace fixup in the package.

Screenshot of ‘Package editor’ tab in the MSIX packaging tool

Thank you to the MSIX community for helping shape the future of the MSIX program. If you have a feature ask you can submit ideas in the MSIX Tech Community or via the Feedback Hub. If you are interested in checking out the new features we are building, join the MSIX Packaging Tool Insider Program today!

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