How to build an application correctly in the WinUI3 project template?

Question

I am working in the Blank App, Packaged (WinUI 3 in Desktop). When compiling and launching a new project in Visual Studio using the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + F5", the application opens without problems. However, when building the project and going to the Debug folder where the exe file is located, difficulties arise: when trying to open the application through the compiled exe file, nothing happens. The mouse cursor changes to the download cursor for a few seconds, but the application does not start.

I assume that the problem may be related to the Package.appxmanifest file. It is possible that the application is incorrectly packaged in an exe file, and this prevents it from running. When running through Visual Studio, an additional "WinUI Desktop" process is displayed in the task Manager (Attached screenshot), which is not displayed when launching the application through the exe file.

I ask you to help me solve this problem :'(

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

when trying to open the application through the compiled exe file, nothing happens

This behavior is by design. For packaged WinUI3 application, it is not allowed to just launch the app from the exe file.

If you want to make a feature that the app could be launched from the exe file, you will need to create an unpackaged WinUI3 app. What you need to do is modify the project file of the packaged WinUI3 app. Then add the following line to the PropertyGroup part.

  <PropertyGroup>
    ...
    <WindowsPackageType>None</WindowsPackageType>
    <WindowsAppSDKSelfContained>true</WindowsAppSDKSelfContained>
    ...
  </PropertyGroup>

After adding this, you will see the unpackage mode of the app like this

After building and running the app, now you could find the exe file of your app in the debug folder and directly run it.

More details about creating a unpackaged app, please check: Unpackaged: Create a new project for an unpackaged C# or C++ WinUI 3 desktop app and Windows App SDK deployment guide for self-contained apps

Thank you.

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