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Packaging your Electron app for distribution

This guide shows you how to create an MSIX package for distributing your Electron app with Windows APIs.

Prerequisites

Prepare for packaging

Before packaging, configure your build tool to exclude temporary files from the final build:

  • .winapp/ folder
  • winapp.yaml
  • Certificate files (.pfx)
  • Debug symbols (.pdb)
  • C# build artifacts (obj/, bin/ folders)
  • MSIX packages (*.msix)

Verify that your appxmanifest.xml Executable attribute points to the correct .exe file.

This approach gives you more control and works with any Electron packager.

Build your Electron app

npx electron-forge package

This creates a production version in the ./out/ folder.

Create the MSIX package

npx winapp pack .\out\<your-app-folder> --output .\out --cert .\devcert.pfx --manifest .\appxmanifest.xml

Replace <your-app-folder> with the actual folder name created by Electron Forge (for example, my-windows-app-win32-x64).

Tip

Add these commands to your package.json scripts for convenience:

{
  "scripts": {
    "package-msix": "npx electron-forge package && npx winapp pack ./out/my-windows-app-win32-x64 --output ./out --cert ./devcert.pfx --manifest appxmanifest.xml"
  }
}

Option 2: Using Electron Forge MSIX Maker

If you're already using Electron Forge, you can integrate MSIX packaging directly.

Install the MSIX Maker

npm install --save-dev @electron-forge/maker-msix

Configure forge.config.js

module.exports = {
  makers: [
    {
      name: '@electron-forge/maker-msix',
      config: {
        appManifest: '.\\appxmanifest.xml',
        windowsSignOptions: {
          certificateFile: '.\\devcert.pfx',
          certificatePassword: 'password'
        }
      }
    }
  ],
};

Update appxmanifest.xml

Update the Executable path to point to the app folder:

<Applications>
  <Application Id="myApp"
    Executable="app\my-app.exe"
    EntryPoint="Windows.FullTrustApplication">
  </Application>
</Applications>

Create the MSIX package

npm run make

The MSIX package will be created in ./out/make/msix/.

Install and test the MSIX

Install the development certificate (one-time setup, run as administrator):

npx winapp cert install .\devcert.pfx

Install the MSIX package:

Add-AppxPackage .\my-windows-app.msix

Your app will appear in the Start Menu.

Distribution options

Microsoft Store

Submit your app for the widest distribution and automatic updates. Learn more: Publish your app to the Microsoft Store.

Direct download

Host the MSIX package on your website. Sign it with a trusted certificate authority (CA) certificate.

Enterprise distribution

Distribute via Company Portal (Intune), direct download, or sideloading. Learn more: Distribute apps outside the Store.

App Installer

Create an .appinstaller file for automatic updates. Learn more: App Installer file overview.

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