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WPF Host (PresentationHost.exe)

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Warning

XBAPs require legacy browsers to operate, such as Internet Explorer and old versions of Firefox. These older browsers are usually unsupported on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Modern browsers no longer support the technology required for XBAP apps due to security risks. Plugins that enable XBAPs are no longer supported. For more information, see Frequently asked questions about WPF browser-hosted applications (XBAP).

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) Host (PresentationHost.exe) is the application that enables WPF applications to be hosted in compatible browsers (including Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and later). By default, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) Host is registered as the shell and MIME handler for browser-hosted WPF content, which includes:

  • Loose (uncompiled) XAML files (.xaml).

  • XAML browser application (XBAP) (.xbap).

For files of these types, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) Host:

  • Launches the registered HTML handler to host the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) content.

  • Loads the right versions of the required common language runtime (CLR) and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) assemblies.

  • Ensures the appropriate permission levels for the zone of deployment are in place.

This topic describes the command line parameters that can be used with PresentationHost.exe.

Usage

PresentationHost.exe [parameters] uri|filename

Parameters

Parameter Description
filename The path of the file to be activated. Can also be a URI.
-debug When activating an application, does not commit it to or run it from the store. This only works when a local file is activated.
-debugSecurityZoneURL <url> Used with a URL value to indicate to PresentationHost.exe that an application should be debugged as if it were deployed from the specified URL. This determines both the deployment zone and the site of origin.
-embedding Required by OLE. If the -event or -debug parameter are specified, it is not necessary to specify the -embedding parameter, since that parameter is set internally.
-event <eventname> Open the event with this name and signal it when PresentationHost.exe is initialized and ready to host WPF content. PresentationHost.exe will terminate if there was an error opening the event, such as if it has not already been created.
-launchApplication <url> Launches a standalone ClickOnce application from the specified URL. Internet Explorer and WinINet security policy concerning .NET applications are applied.

Scenarios

Shell Handler

PresentationHost.exe example.xbap

MIME Handler

PresentationHost.exe -embedding example.xbap

Visual Studio Debugging

PresentationHost.exe -debug example.xbap

Visual Studio Debugging In Zone

PresentationHost.exe -debug -debugSecurityZoneURL http://www.example.com c:\folderpath\example.xbap

See also