Choose Runtime Deployment
Pick runtime deployment after packaging and distribution.
Decision Table
| App path | Runtime choice |
|---|---|
| Store MSIX | Framework-dependent |
| Enterprise MSIX | Framework-dependent unless IT wants self-contained artifacts |
| Existing installer with sparse package | Framework-dependent with runtime installer, or self-contained if installer owns footprint |
| Direct download | Self-contained unless installer reliably installs runtime |
| Xcopy/zip | Self-contained |
Framework-Dependent Checklist
Runtime installer or MSIX dependencies available:
Architecture covered: x64 / x86 / arm64
Bootstrapper needed: yes/no
Deployment API needed: yes/no
Clean machine launch tested:Self-Contained Checklist
<WindowsAppSDKSelfContained>true</WindowsAppSDKSelfContained> set in app project:
.NET self-contained publish needed:
Single-file requested:
APIs needing additional packages checked:
Clean machine launch tested:Bootstrapper Reminder
If the app is unpackaged or packaged with external location and framework-dependent, initialize the runtime before calling Windows App SDK APIs.