- To install a msixbundle app on Windows 11, double-click the “msixbundle” file (or “appxbundle,” “msix,” and “appx”) and click “Install.”
- If you come across issues, download and install the “App Installer” from the Microsoft Store and then try to install the “msixbundle” app.
- Another way to sideload apps, open PowerShell (admin) and run the “Add-AppxPackage -Path C:\Path\App-Package.msixbundle” command. This will also work for “appxbundle,” “msix,” or “appx” extensions.
On Windows 11 (and 10), files with the “msixbundle” format are packages that developers create using the MSIX Packing Tool that contain the installation files for applications, similar to the legacy “exe” file format.
In addition to the “msixbundle” format, the platform also offers other types of packages, including “appxbundle,” “msix,” and “appx.” These packages are similar, but they describe different bundles. For instance, the “msixbundle” or the “appxbundle” format contains multiple app packages to support different architectures, such as x86, x64, and ARM. On the other hand, the “msix” or “appx” contains the application files but for a specific architecture like x86 or x64.
Usually, this is the format of choice for bundling an application into a single package that is then submitted to Microsoft to distribute the app through the Microsoft Store. However, Windows 11 also lets you sideload “msixbundle,” “appxbundle,” “msix,” and “appx” packages outside the app store through the App Installer or PowerShell.
This guide will teach you the steps to install an app using the “msixbundle” format on Windows 11. You can also refer to these instructions for Windows 10.
Install msixbundle apps on Windows 11
To install apps bundled as msixbundle on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open File Explorer on Windows 11.
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Open the folder location with the app package.
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Double-click the “msixbundle” file (or “appxbundle,” “msix,” and “appx”).
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Click the Install button.
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(Optional) Click the Launch button.
Once you complete the steps, the app will install on Windows 11.
You can also launch the app installer to reinstall the app again.
If you cannot use this method, it’s likely that the latest version of the “App Installer” is not available on the computer. You can download and install the App Installer from the Microsoft Store. You may also need to enable the Developer Mode feature on Windows 11 if you are not able to install the app package.
Install msixbundle apps from PowerShell
To install a msixbundle app with PowerShell on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
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Type the following command to install a msixbundle package on Windows 11 and press Enter:
Add-AppxPackage -Path C:\Path\App-Package.msixbundle
In the command, change
C:\Path\App-Package.msixbundlefor the actual path and name of the application bundle, which can include the “msixbundle,” “appxbundle,” “msix,” or “appx” extension.
After you complete the steps, the PowerShell command will trigger the app installation.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].