Repackage clickonce application for Microsoft store

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I wish to deploy a signed Microsoft ClickOnce Application on Microsoft Store. At present, a user can install the signed application by double-clicking on a setup.exe file in a directory with the setup, manifest and support files created by Visual Studio. However, Microsoft Store would like the application packaged up in a single file that does not require access to the internet to install.

What I have tried:

A very nice article from <a href="(https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/dotnet/articles/ms973805(v=msdn.10)?redirectedfrom=MSDN&ranMID=43674&ranEAID=eyzsD2QGsYg&ranSiteID=eyzsD2QGsYg-f0mVuov3ca9EFR7RvIcNbw&epi=eyzsD2QGsYg-f0mVuov3ca9EFR7RvIcNbw&irgwc=1&OCID=AID2200057_aff_7795_1243925&tduid=(ir__utj3dmv0akkfbgyqhnhdrwk0122x6kgu111el3ec00)(7795)(1243925)(eyzsD2QGsYg-f0mVuov3ca9EFR7RvIcNbw)()&irclickid=_utj3dmv0akkfbgyqhnhdrwk0122x6kgu111el3ec00">Michael Sanford</a> suggests referencing a URL to a ClickOnce installation from an MSI file, something that Microsoft Store will not allow.

This <a href="https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/367200-click-once-to-windows-installer#:~:text=It%20looks%20like%20click-once%20only%20installs%20files%20and,click%20once%20has%20installed%20into%20the%20file%20section">post</a> also suggests putting all of the ClickOnce files in an MSI file but lacks details on how to do this.

Can anyone point me to a well-documented solution to this problem?

Posted 25-Mar-23 9:55am

Member 15893644

Updated 25-Mar-23 12:30pm

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Graeme_Grant 25-Mar-23 20:55pm

Microsoft Store uses a very specific installer and you can not use ClickOnce.

Member 15893644 25-Mar-23 23:31pm

Dear Graeme and Gerry,

This is most helpful. Would you point me to your favorite sources describing the Microsoft-Store installer?

Also, how would you suggest that I proceed from here? Must I create a new project from scratch or can I adapt my ClickOnce project for submission to the Microsoft Store.

Thank you! Dylan

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Gerry Schmitz · Accepted Answer · 2023-03-25T12:30:00

The main challenge (usuall) is to pass the "certification" step; which often involves insuring all the "package" images aren't too big; even though they're generated (color density).

(If you create a store package, you don't need "click once" ... don't even know what would be the point).

And you need to "access the internet" at least once; to distribut the app from the store (which support private distros). Unless you "side load" (publish) the package, which (usually) needs a device connection.

Packaging MSIX apps - MSIX | Microsoft Learn[^]