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Developers found a way to break or opt out from Microsoft Store Web installers if forced on their apps
You can even add DLL files on your installer
2 min. read
Published onApril 22, 2024
published onApril 22, 2024
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Microsoft just announced they are experimenting with anew Microsoft Store web installer for apps, where the download and install experience will be improved when users download apps from the Microsoft Store website.
However, Rafael Rivera, who made the app Ear Trumpet, wasn’t happy with Microsoft. Hesaid on Xthat Microsoft is using a new method to package apps that he thinks look suspicious and collect too much data. He also mentioned that Microsoft is not using the version of .NET he designed his app for.
The Microsoft Store team has started quietly wrapping apps, like EarTrumpet, with some malware-looking .NET executable wrapper (with my app’s name of course) chock full of telemetry and other code. They also target netfx 4.7.2 when my app targets netfx 4.6.2, wtf?pic.twitter.com/oQFIz0G2lE
Even though Microsoft said the new method was optional, Rivera felt it was forced on him without his choice.
Well, it turns out that all this is a misunderstanding. Rudy Huyn explained how developers can avoid using the new installer by changing a setting in their app’s code.
Very good question. Developers can choose how they want their badge to behave. Only badges with launchMode=direct will use the new Store installer for the web.pic.twitter.com/kwhn7vfw6A
Rivera laterfound outfrom Microsoft’s website that if developers don’t specify a certain setting, their apps will automatically use the new download method. Hesuggesteeda way for developers to make sure they’re not using the new installer if they don’t want to:
To opt-out, ?mode=mini or ?mode=full must be added to your app URIs/badges. No mode or ?mode=direct will currently send you down this EXE path.
Rivera also mentionedanother unofficial method to interfere with the new installers, involving placing certain files in a specific folder.
You can plant a few of your favorite DLLs into Downloads and bounce off those shiny new Microsoft Store installers ?ncrypt.dll, cryptsp.dll, cryptbase.dll, bcrypt.dll, msvcp140_clr0400.dll, profapi.dll, enStoreInstaller.resources.dll, d3d9.dll, etc.pic.twitter.com/aAdjb98L3M
It’s not clear if Rivera was the only one affected by this change or if other developers were too, but you should check if your app is in perfect order. Also, now you know how to opt out of the new web download mode and how to get your DLL files in.
Have you had any similar experience with the Store web installer? Let’s talk about that in the comments section below.
More about the topics:microsoft store,Windows 11
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
