Hi there, I'm Alex, and I hope you are all having a great day. In a previous video ( • The MSIX Shift | Part ... ), we talked about the challenges that might appear when you start your transition to #MSIX technology.
Before starting your transition, it's important to know what exactly MSIX is.
To better understand MSIX, it's necessary to compare it with the most popular packaging technology at the moment - #MSI.
In this video, we will have a top-level overview of the differences between the two technologies. We won't deep dive into the MSIX technology because we would be here for a while, but if you want to learn more in-depth facts about MSIX, check out our KZfaq channel, our Blog(www.advancedinstaller.com/blog/), and our User Guide(www.advancedinstaller.com/use....
📌MSIX and MSI
Let's start with what exactly there two technologies are.
MSI packages are relational databases structured as COM Structured Storages. Think of them as a standard database, like SQL or MySQL, but with predefined tables and rules. Thus, you have to follow strict rules and logical structures to ensure the success of a package installation.
MSIX was presented as an improved version of the AppX packages (which were initially used only for #UWP apps). This technology supports traditional desktop applications on Windows 10 better and brings knowledge from MSI, App-V packages, and the Desktop Bridge program.
An MSIX package is very similar to an AppX package, structure-wise. It's a zip package containing all the files, folders, and registries necessary for the application and some configuration XML files.
The main difference MSIX brought compared to AppX is its extended support for Win32 applications, the standard desktop applications that are still used today.
This allows you to package a standard desktop application and publish it to Microsoft Store or offer it for download from your website while leveraging all the advantages of modern Windows APIs.
📌How can you identify the packages?
MSI packages are identified using a unique PackageCode. Windows Installer does not allow two different MSI packages with the same Package Code to be installed on a machine.
The #ProductCode is used to identify a particular product release uniquely. Windows Installer allows only one program with a given product code to be installed on a computer at a time. It prevents the installation of a second MSI with the same Product Code.
The #ProductVersion combined with the ProductCode allows us to upgrade the packages and keep an upgrade logic.
Unlike MSI, MSIX does not come with a PackageCode or PackageCode. All the information is stored in the AppxManifest.xml.
This XML file is the package manifest and has to be present in any package. It contains the information defining the application and its features.
The system uses all of this information to install/uninstall, update, and control the app's behavior during its lifetime.
MSIX identification is made by setting a package Name, Publisher, Version, and Architecture.
📌How do these technologies -MSI and MSIX - place the data on the system?
MSI packages are built on Features and Components. Almost everything performed in an MSI should be present on a Component, which should be included on a Feature.
MSIX can be seen as a zip file containing all the files, folders, and registries necessary for the application and additional files that define how the application works.
To sum it up, MSI and MSIX are two different technologies. Everything from app identification, data placement, execution and other core functionalities do not apply from MSI to MSIX.
Read more about #MSIX and #softwarepackaging on the Advanced Installer blog: www.advancedinstaller.com/blog/
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