MSIX-only Features

Everything in this section lives inside the msix: { … } block of your package. None of these properties have an MSI equivalent.

Each capability has its own page so you can jump straight to the one you need.

#	Page	What you configure
1	Identity & Display	packageDisplayName, publisherDisplayName, packageDescription
2	OS Compatibility	minVersion, maxVersionTested – Windows builds you target / tested against
3	Capabilities	capabilities – restricted / general capability declarations
4	Device Capabilities	deviceCapabilities – cameras, sensors, USB, Bluetooth, etc.
5	Package Dependencies	packageDependencies – framework MSIX dependencies (★ NEW in 2.2.0)
6	Manifest	manifest – fully custom AppxManifest.xml override
7	External Content	allowExternalContent – sparse MSIX packages
8	PSF	psf – Package Support Framework fixups
9	Install Dialog	installDialog – accent color and custom App Installer XML

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Quick orientation

A complete msix: { … } block can mix all of the above. The shape is:

"msix": {
  "packageDisplayName":   "My Application",
  "publisherDisplayName": "My Company Name Ltd.",
  "packageDescription":   "My Application – take notes the modern way.",

  "minVersion":           "10.0.19041.0",
  "maxVersionTested":     "10.0.26100.0",

  "capabilities":         ["runFullTrust", "internetClient"],
  "deviceCapabilities":   [
    { "name": "webcam" }
  ],

  "packageDependencies": [
    {
      "name":       "Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00",
      "publisher":  "CN=Microsoft Corporation, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US",
      "minVersion": "14.0.30704.0"
    }
  ],

  "psf":           { "disable": false },
  "installDialog": { "primaryAccent": "#01787B" },

  "outputDirectory": "build-output\\msix"
}

Pick whatever subset your installer needs and ignore the rest – every property is optional unless explicitly noted on its page.

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MSI vs MSIX feature parity

Feature	MSI	MSIX
File system writes (live, system-wide)	✅	❌ (virtualized in container)
Registry writes (live, system-wide)	✅	❌ (virtualized in container)
Custom actions (EXE / DLL / PowerShell)	✅	❌
Auto-updater service	✅	❌ (use App Installer / Store)
Package dependencies (any installer)	✅ (with optional WinGet install)	✅ (must be an MSIX)
Install dialog (branded MPDEV UI)	✅	partial (installDialog accent + custom XML)
Detect running processes	✅	❌
Capabilities / device capabilities	❌	✅
Sparse package	❌	✅
Package Support Framework (PSF)	❌	✅
Custom manifest	n/a	✅