How can I download a package flight bundle programmatically?

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How can I download a package flight bundle programmatically?

Diogo Costa Maranhao Rodrigues 120

I'm developing a Packaged Windows Service which is available on the Microsoft Store. Now I need to download the package flight bundle associated with the current logged account to perform a installation/update. How can I implement this?

Running in LocalSystem context from service.
Avoid StoreContext or AppInstallManager Solutions.

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Nancy Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 2,805 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @Diogo Costa Maranhao Rodrigues ,

Thanks for your question.

There is no direct API that lets a LocalSystem service download a user-specific flight bundle on its own. The Store flight bundle is tied to the signed-in user’s Microsoft account, so StoreContext only works from code that runs in a real user session.

I recommend this solution:

Keep your service running as LocalSystem for background processing.
When an update is needed, have the service trigger a helper process running in the logged-in user’s context.
The helper process can then use StoreContext or AppInstallManager to:
- Check for updates.
- Request download and installation via the Microsoft Store.

This ensures the operation runs with the correct user identity and remains within the supported platform model.

I hope this addresses your question. If this response was helpful, please consider following the guidance to provide feedback

Diogo Costa Maranhao Rodrigues 120 Reputation points

2026-03-25T15:47:02.85+00:00
Hello @Nancy Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) ! I attempted to run in a user context but encountered a different problem. I prefer not to use StoreContext or AppInstallManager due to a critical limitation: both depend on the Microsoft Store auto-updates configuration being enabled. The following methods do not work when this setting is disabled:

AppInstallManager

StoreContext

Winget Install (with --force)"
Nancy Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 2,805 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-26T07:21:07.1066667+00:00
Hi @Diogo Costa Maranhao Rodrigues ,

When Store updates are disabled by policy or setting, programmatic update paths can be blocked, whether manual "Get updates" works depends on the exact configuration. This is by design from Microsoft so some methods do not work when this setting is disabled.

Unfortunately, there is no official supported API that allows downloading a Package Flight Bundle programmatically while completely bypassing the Store's auto-update policy. The flight bundles are protected and tied to the Store's internal delivery system.

I recommend some following workarounds:

Ask the end user (or admin) to temporarily turn ON "Update apps automatically" in the Microsoft Store (Profile icon -> Settings -> App updates). Then trigger the update via the helper. Once the new flight bundle is installed, they can turn the setting back off if needed.

Open the Microsoft Store -> Library -> "Get updates". This often succeeds even when auto-updates are disabled.

Longer-term alternatives:

Move update logic to the main WinUI app instead of the LocalSystem service.

Consider distributing the app outside the Microsoft Store so you can host the bundles yourself and download/install them directly with Add-AppxPackage or PowerShell.

Note: you can’t download Store flight bundles directly, you’d need to publish bundles yourself.

For enterprise environments, look at Microsoft Intune or your own deployment server.

Hope this helps! Thank you for your time.
Nancy Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 2,805 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-31T04:40:03.2366667+00:00

Hi @Diogo Costa Maranhao Rodrigues ,

I wonder if there is any update on this post. If you have any question, feel free to reach out. I'm happy to support you.

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