Windows Store Windows 10 Pro
George Bradley
Can I install Microsoft To-DO without accessing the Windows Store? Currently the Windows Store is banned in my work laptop due to cooperate security policy. I had to end up using the web version, which is pretty bad at notifying. I was just wondering if I could install the windows native version without accessing the Store.
With Windows 10, the good old win32 executable got a new sibling: The UniversalWindows Platform. The new .appx format does not only enable a number of newpowerful APIs like Cortana or Push Notifications, but through the Windows Store,also simplifies installation and updating.
Microsoft developed a tool that compiles Electron apps as .appx packages,enabling developers to use some of the goodies found in the new applicationmodel. This guide explains how to use it - and what the capabilities andlimitations of an Electron AppX package are.
Windows 10 "Anniversary Update" is able to run win32 .exe binaries bylaunching them together with a virtualized filesystem and registry. Both arecreated during compilation by running app and installer inside a WindowsContainer, allowing Windows to identify exactly which modifications to theoperating system are done during installation. Pairing the executable with avirtual filesystem and a virtual registry allows Windows to enable one-clickinstallation and uninstallation.
In addition, the exe is launched inside the appx model - meaning that it can usemany of the APIs available to the Universal Windows Platform. To gain even morecapabilities, an Electron app can pair up with an invisible UWP background tasklaunched together with the exe - sort of launched as a sidekick to run tasksin the background, receive push notifications, or to communicate with other UWPapplications.
Package the application using @electron/packager (or a similar tool).Make sure to remove node_modules that you don't need in your final application, sinceany module you don't actually need will increase your application's size.
From an elevated PowerShell (run it "as Administrator"), runelectron-windows-store with the required parameters, passing both the inputand output directories, the app's name and version, and confirmation thatnode_modules should be flattened.
Once executed, the tool goes to work: It accepts your Electron app as an input,flattening the node_modules. Then, it archives your application as app.zip.Using an installer and a Windows Container, the tool creates an "expanded" AppXpackage - including the Windows Application Manifest (AppXManifest.xml) aswell as the virtual file system and the virtual registry inside your outputfolder.
Once the expanded AppX files are created, the tool uses the Windows App Packager(MakeAppx.exe) to create a single-file AppX package from those files on disk.Finally, the tool can be used to create a trusted certificate on your computerto sign the new AppX package. With the signed AppX package, the CLI can alsoautomatically install the package on your machine.
In opposition to traditional UWP apps, packaged apps currently need to undergo amanual verification process, for which you can apply here.In the meantime, all users will be able to install your package by double-clicking it,so a submission to the store might not be necessary if you're looking for aneasier installation method. In managed environments (usually enterprises), theAdd-AppxPackage PowerShell Cmdlet can be used to install it in an automated fashion.
To generate the AppX package, the electron-windows-store CLI uses a templatethat should work for most Electron apps. However, if you are using a custominstaller, or should you experience any trouble with the generated package, youcan attempt to create a package using compilation with a Windows Container - inthat mode, the CLI will install and run your application in blank Windows Containerto determine what modifications your application is exactly doing to the operatingsystem.
Before running the CLI for the first time, you will have to setup the "Windows Desktop AppConverter". This will take a few minutes, but don't worry - you only have to dothis once. Download and Desktop App Converter from here.You will receive two files: DesktopAppConverter.zip and BaseImage-14316.wim.
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