How would you go about converting a .exe to an MSI to use in Intune Applications?

Question

Hi,

I've read up on different methods for converting .exe's to MSI's such as:

• Using Advanced Installer
• Using WiX toolset
  • Still unsure on how to go about this?
• Other third party tools
  • EMCO MSI Package builder

However, it seems with these package builders they aren't fully "FREE" and give a trail run of using the application. What I'm looking for is a Microsoft recommended and "FREE" way of converting .exe files to MSI's.

If this isn't the case I know we can package up applications as .intunewin files and add these as Intune Applications but, the use of MSI would be least messy and we would only need to add the updated MSI to the Intune Application every month or so?

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If anyone could also recommend the best practice for updating Intune Apps that are package installed/MSI installed that would be great.

Also, if anyone could answer how/when Microsoft Store Apps send out updated versions, that again would be useful.

Thanks!

Answer 1

@Jack Fields, Thanks for posting in Q&A.

For your issues, here are some information you can refer.

1.For deploying apps via Intune, the msi file is the easiest way to deploy, and for the free convert .exe to msi, here is a tool you can refer.

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/xp9cwggd5rxjwm?hl=en-US&gl=US

2.If you deploy apps via win32 and want to update them via Intune, you can add the update package to supersedence, here is an official document you can refer.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/apps/apps-win32-supersedence

3.As for how/when Microsoft Store Apps send out updated versions, that depends on how/when the app developers will send out the updated versions, after they send out the latest app version, Microsoft Store will send out the latest app version, also you can pay attention to Microsoft Store which will provide the latest app update information.

Hope this can help you.

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