Integrating a new child UWP exe/app in an existing parent UWP app

DotNET Fan 271

How can I integrate a new status updater app, which should be part of an existing parent UWP app project and package?

The new status updater app will use WinUI libs and UWP xaml libs and be part of the UWP app store app.

The parent UWP app should communicate with the status updater app through inter-process communication.

If the parent UWP app is closed, the status updater app should not close and user can close it. The status updater app should be UWP and not a WPF/Winform application to avoid shipping dependencies.

Can you provide any inputs or suggestions?

MartinAF 1 Reputation point

2024-06-02T11:33:44.4433333+00:00

I don't think its possible. WPF/winform should be the way.

1 answer

Junjie Zhu - MSFT 19,936 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-06-03T03:18:13.1166667+00:00

Hi @DotNET Fan ,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

Sorry, there is currently no way in UWP to package both UWP and WinUI3.

When packaging UWP and WinUI3 together in visual studio, the following error will appear.

Thank you.

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DotNET Fan 271 Reputation points

2024-06-03T05:54:17.7333333+00:00

@Junjie Zhu - MSFT , Presently we are using WinUI2 UI components in the parent UWP.

The question is how to have another child UWP application integrated within the parent UWP and both communicate each other. Please note that the child UWP would be part of the parent UWP app package.

Junjie Zhu - MSFT 19,936 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-06-03T07:14:05.1166667+00:00

Hi @DotNET Fan ,

I understand, communication between two UWPs is possible, but two UWPs cannot be packaged together, and the same error will occur.

DotNET Fan 271 Reputation points

2024-06-03T12:30:01.8033333+00:00

@Junjie Zhu - MSFT Ok. Any way in UWP to create a window that utilizes WinUi2 and stay as a separate process or exe , like WPF or Winform where you can create multiple applications with different UI and bundle the exes together.

Junjie Zhu - MSFT 19,936 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-06-05T03:34:50.7266667+00:00

Hi @DotNET Fan ,

I discussed this with the team. You may can use a "multi-application package" (MAP), VS doesn't provide explicit tooling for it, but it can be managed by editing the manifest and packaging from the command line. MAPs are not commonly used and are only available for side-loaded apps. MAPs aren't supported by the Store. If you are using side-loading, MAPs may match your needs.

DotNET Fan 271 Reputation points

2024-06-25T03:57:43.9733333+00:00

@Junjie Zhu - MSFT decided to go with the window approach

CoreApplicationView newView = CoreApplication.CreateNewView(); int newViewId = 0; await newView.Dispatcher.RunAsync(CoreDispatcherPriority.Normal, () => { Frame frame = new Frame(); frame.Navigate(typeof(UpdaterPage)); ApplicationView.PreferredLaunchViewSize = new Size(480, 800); ApplicationView.PreferredLaunchWindowingMode = ApplicationViewWindowingMode.PreferredLaunchViewSize; Window.Current.Content = frame; Window.Current.Activate(); newViewId = ApplicationView.GetForCurrentView().Id; }); bool viewShown = await ApplicationViewSwitcher.TryShowAsStandaloneAsync(newViewId);
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Integrating a new child UWP exe/app in an existing parent UWP app

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