The .Appx or .AppxBundle file format is used by Microsoft’s new Universal Windows Platform applications. Appx packages are generally installed from the Windows Store, but Windows 10 now allows you to sideload Appx packages from any location.
You should only install .Appx or .AppxBundle packages from trusted sources, just like any other software.
What’s an .Appx or .AppxBundle?
Appx or AppxBundle files are used to deploy new Windows 10 “Universal applications” or “Universal Windows Platform” programs. These are app packages that contain the app’s name, description, and permissions, as well as the app’s binaries. Developers do not need to design their installers because Windows can install and uninstall these packages in a standard manner. Windows is capable of handling everything consistently, allowing it to uninstall apps without leaving any registry entries behind.
You don’t usually download and install an Appx program straight from the developer. Rather, you go to the Windows Store, search for the program you want to install and download it. Behind the scenes, all software in the Windows Store is in the Appx or AppxBundle format.
You may need to install a .Appx or.AppxBundle package from somewhere other than the Store in some circumstances. For example, your business might have an .Appx-formatted program you need, or you might be a developer who needs to test your software before uploading it to the Store.
Step 1. Enable Sideloading
If sideloading is enabled on your Windows 10 device, you can only install .Appx or .AppxBundle software. Starting with the November Update, sideloading is turned on by default, but it may be prohibited on particular devices due to company policy.
Go to Settings > Update & Security > For Developers to see if sideloading is enabled. Make sure this option is set to “Sideload apps” or “Developer mode.” You won’t be able to install .Appx or.AppxBundle applications from outside the Windows Store if it’s set to “Windows Store apps.”
If you enable sideloading with this option set to “Windows Store apps,” Windows will warn you that the programs you install may expose your device and data, as well as harm your PC. It’s the same as installing regular Windows software: only install applications from trusted sources.
How to Install an .Appx Package Using the Graphical Installer
Microsoft released a new “App Installer” tool to Windows 10’s Anniversary Update that allows you to install .Appx or.AppxBundle programs graphically. Simply double-click a .Appx or.AppxBundle package to install it.
You can see info about the .Appx package, such as the name, publisher, version number, and a developer-provided icon. Click the “Install” button to install the package.
How to Install an .Appx Package With PowerShell
PowerShell cmdlets are also included in Windows 10 and can be used to install an. Appx is an application bundle. The cmdlet has greater capabilities than the App Installer tool, such as pointing Windows to a dependency path that contains other packages .Appx packages are required.
To use PowerShell to install an Appx package, first open a PowerShell window. You may open one by searching for “PowerShell” in the Start menu and launching the PowerShell shortcut. It’s not necessary to run it as Administrator. The .Appx program has only been installed for this user account.
Run the following cmdlet using the path of the Appx package as the argument.
On your computer, you should have the following appx file:
Add-AppxPackage -Path “C:\Path\to\File.Appx”
Consult Microsoft’s Add-AppxPackage documentation for more sophisticated usage choices.
How to Install an Unpackaged App With PowerShell
If you’re writing your own software, the cmdlet above won’t be very useful. It will only install applications that have been properly signed, but you don’t have to sign your app while it’s being developed.
As a result, there is a different technique to install Appx software. This only works with apps that have been left “unpackaged.” The Desktop App Converter also generates an unpackaged app that you may install using the command below, as well as the final .Appx software bundle.
You’ll need to run PowerShell as Administrator to accomplish this. Then, pointing Windows to the “AppxManifest.xml” file in the unpackaged app’s directory, run the following command:
Add-AppxPackage -Path C:\Path\to\AppxManifest.xml -Register
In developer mode, the program will be registered with the system, effectively installing it.
Simply right-click the application in the Start menu and pick “Uninstall” to uninstall it. You can also make use of the Remove-AppxPackage cmdlet in PowerShell.
