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How to Convert a Package Created in a Previous Version of App-V

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You can use the package converter utility to upgrade virtual application packages that have been created with previous versions of App-V.

Note If you are running a computer with a 64-bit architecture, you must use the x86 version of PowerShell.

The package converter can only directly convert packages that were created by using the App-V 4.5 sequencer or a subsequent version. Packages that were created using a version prior to App-V 4.5 must be upgraded to the App-V 4.5 or App-V 4.6 format before conversion.

The following information provides direction for converting existing virtual application packages.

Important You must configure the package converter to always save the package ingredients file to a secure location and directory. A secure location is accessible only by an administrator. Additionally, when you deploy the package, you should save the package to a location that is secure, or make sure that no other user is allowed to be logged in during the conversion process.

Getting started

  1. Install the App-V Sequencer on a computer in your environment. For information about how to install the Sequencer, see How to Install the Sequencer.

  2. Import the required Powershell Module

Import-Module AppVPkgConverter

  1. The following cmdlets are available:

    • Test-AppvLegacyPackage – This cmdlet is designed to check packages. It will return information about any failures with the package such as missing .sft files, an invalid source, .osd file errors, or invalid package version. This cmdlet will not parse the .sft file or do any in depth validation. For information about options and basic functionality for this cmdlet, using the PowerShell cmdline, type Test-AppvLegacyPackage -?.

    • ConvertFrom-AppvLegacyPackage – To convert an existing package, type ConvertFrom-AppvLegacyPackage c:\contentStore c:\convertedPackages. In this command, c:\contentStore represents the location of the existing package and c:\convertedPackages is the output directory to which the resulting App-V 5.0 virtual application package file will be saved. By default, if you do not specify a new name, the old package name will be used for the App-V 5.0 filename.

      Additionally, the package converter optimizes performance of packages in App-V 5.0 by setting the package to stream fault the App-V package. This is more performant than the primary feature block and fully downloading the package. The flag DownloadFullPackageOnFirstLaunch allows you to convert the package and set the package to be fully downloaded by default.

      Note Before you specify the output directory, you must create the output directory.

Advanced Conversion Tips

  • Piping - PowerShell supports piping. Piping allows you to call dir c:\contentStore\myPackage | Test-AppvLegacyPackage. In this example, the directory object that represents myPackage will be given as input to the Test-AppvLegacyPackage command and bound to the -Source parameter. Piping like this is especially useful when you want to batch commands together; for example, dir .\ | Test-AppvLegacyPackage | ConvertFrom-AppvLegacyAppvPackage -Target .\ConvertedPackages. This piped command would test the packages and then pass those objects on to actually be converted. You can also apply a filter on packages without errors or only specify a directory which contains an .sprj file or pipe them to another cmdlet that adds the filtered package to the server or publishes them to the App-V 5.0 client.

  • Batching - The PowerShell command enables batching. More specifically, the cmdlets support taking a string[] object for the -Source parameter which represents a list of directory paths. This allows you to enter $packages = dir c:\contentStore and then call ConvertFrom-AppvLegacyAppvPackage-Source $packages -Target c:\ConvertedPackages or to use piping and call dir c:\ContentStore | ConvertFrom-AppvLegacyAppvPackage -Target C:\ConvertedPackages.

  • Other functionality - PowerShell has other built-in functionality for features such as aliases, piping, lazy-binding, .NET object, and many others. All of these are usable in PowerShell and can help you create advanced scenarios for the Package Converter.

Got an App-V issue? Use the App-V TechNet Forum.

Operations for App-V 5.0