Windows application packaging project shows error when referencing a .Net MAUI project

Question

Hi,

I am trying to use the Windows Application Packaging Project to build an MSIX for a .Net MAUI application. However, when I right click on the "Dependencies" for the Windows App Packaging project to add a project reference, and then check the box next to the MAUI project and click OK, it shows an error stating "To add an application reference, the project output needs to be an executable.".
In the same solution, I have added a WPF project and it can be referenced without an error. How can I fix the error with the MAUI project so it can be referenced ?
See the screenshot below. The projects are newly added from the templates in VS2022 so they are basic and nothing special about them.

Thanks for any help!

Answer 1

Hello @CFos ,

Using the Windows Application Packaging Project to build an MSIX is not supported for MAUI application.
To publish your app, you can open the Developer Command Prompt for VS 2022 terminal and navigate to the folder for your .NET MAUI app project, and run the dotnet publish command.
For more details, please refer to Publish a .NET MAUI app for Windows - .NET MAUI | Microsoft Learn

Best Regards,
Wenyan Zhang

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