Create and edit MSIX Applications

In the Workspace Control Console, under Composition > Applications, MSIX applications are configured as Workspace Control managed applications. This is done by opening the context menu in the Start Menu tab and then selecting New Application.

The option New Application (using Wizard) in the context menu at Composition > Applications is not supported for MSIX.

In the Edit Application window, you can edit and review various configuration settings for MSIX applications.

MSIX applications are mostly configured in the same way as any Workspace Control managed application. This section covers only the configuration differences present under the Properties > General and Properties > Settings tabs when creating or editing a Workspace Control managed MSIX application. It also covers how to enable MSIX and the limitations that apply to managing MSIX applications.

The Edit Application window has the following configuration sections:

• Properties for MSIX applications

• Access Control

• Configuration

• User Settings

• Security

• Diagnostics

For configuring MSIX applications as Workspace Control managed applications, please also refer to the official MSIX Supported Platforms page (opens in a new window).

Enable the MSIX feature

To enable the MSIX feature for Workspace Control, configure the registry value EnableMSIXSupport on machines running the Workspace Control Console.

In order to run MSIX on Microsoft Windows Server versions prior to 2019 20H2, enable the Sideload apps option on the server, at Settings > Update & Security > For developers > Use developer features.

Capabilities of MSIX feature

In Workspace Control, the following capabilities are available for the MSIX feature:

• Configure MSIX managed applications from the Workspace Control Console;

• Deploy the MSIX Package to endpoints running Workspace Control 2023.4 or higher;

• Start the MSIX Package in sessions on Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022 endpoints running Workspace Control 2023.4 or higher;

• Actions configured at application start or end (Edit application window > Configuration > Actions tab);

• File Type association (Edit application window > Properties > File Types tab);

• Autolaunch at session start (Edit application window > Properties > Settings tab > Options section)

• The option Run outside MSIX virtual environment is available. (New command window > Properties) This allows the command that was configured for the application to run outside the MSIX bubble of that application.

Although Dynamic Privileges isn't supported for an MSIX application, it is supported for scripts attached to the MSIX application that have the feature Run Outside MSIX virtual environment enabled. The Run using Dynamic Privileges can be selected only if Run Outside MSIX virtual environment is selected.

• User Settings and User Settings Wizard (Edit application window > User Settings > Capturing tab> Add > Discover User Settings option)

UI changes for an MSIX application

The following options in the Edit application window are not supported for MSIX and they are no longer displayed on UI for MSIX applications:

• Properties > General tab > Run as Workspace Extension

• Properties > Settings tab > Setting section

  • Maximum instances

  • Startup style of application

  • Process priority of application

• Properties > Settings tab > Options section

  • Use extra password verification

  • Exclude from CPU Optimization

  • Exclude from Memory Optimization Limits

  • Exclude from Memory Optimization

  • Run in separate memory (16 bit apps)

  • Hide application

  • Hide application if executable was not found

  • Use "generic isolation" integration

  • Disable file system redirector on 64-bit systems

• Properties > Publishing tab

• User settings > Properties tab > Zero profile mode

  • Track any settings changed by application immediately

  • Capture targeted items once, then track further changes

• Security > Dynamic Privileges tab