App Installer file APIs

The PackageManager and Package classes in the Windows SDK provide methods you can use to add or modify packages via App Installer files, or to retrieve information about apps with an App Installer association.

Method Description Minimum supported release
PackageManager.AddPackageByAppInstallerFileAsync Allows single or multiple app packages to be installed with an .appinstaller file. Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709, build 16299)
PackageManager.RequestAddPackageByAppInstallerFileAsync Allows single or multiple app packages to be installed with an .appinstaller file. This will perform a SmartScreen filter and user verification before installing the app package(s). Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709, build 16299)
Package.GetAppInstallerInfo Returns the .appinstaller xml file location. This allows app developers to retrieve the .appinstaller xml file location when needed by their app. Windows 10, version 1809 (build 17763)
Package.CheckUpdateAvailabilityAsync Checks for updates to the main app package listed in the .appinstaller file. It allows the developer to determine if the updates are required due to .appinstaller policy. This method currently only works for applications installed via .appinstaller files. Windows 10, version 1809 (build 17763)

App Installer file schema

For more information about how to manually format an App Installer file, see App installer file schema reference.