Downloadable Version of new Windows Store App

[pace-IT]

Hello everyone,

will there also be a "downloadable" version of the new store app (e.g. MSI or EXE)? On the Remote Desktop Servers (Windows Server 2019 and 2022) of our customers there is no Microsoft App Store available and therefore the users unfortunately cannot use the new 3CX Windows Store app.

Kind regards
Tan

 

[mholtrup]

+1 please give us the msi.

 

[Basetek]

rightfully or wrongfully my research in to this also:

"go to MS Store and copy the link of the app you want to install https://apps.microsoft.com/store/apps
Copy the link of the app and paste in this website, search in RP mode https://store.rg-adguard.net
In the result, find the .appx file of the app you need and right click and save as, your browser might detect it as a harmful app, you can ignore and keep the file
Make sure you also download all the dependencies and save them as well
Once you download all the dependencies and the application, start by installing dependencies first, and then the main app
To install, go to the downloads location, right click on each and click Install
Optional: you can also install via powershell Add-AppxPackage -Path "<PATH>".appx"


Powershell.exe Add-AppProvisionedPackage -online -packagepath "C:\PATH\Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.4_4000.1136.2333.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Msix" -skiplicense
Powershell.exe Add-AppProvisionedPackage -online -packagepath "C:\PATH\3CXDMCC.3CX_20.0.410.0_x64__bhm4yemhnd70e.Msix" -skiplicense

Can verify this approach works on Windows 10/11 Enterprise, with no Microsoft Store.

 

[murrayc]

+1 We want an MSI.

 

[LDA MERCURIS]

+1

 

[Tm99]

+1
Store is completely disabled for all our clients and we need a reliable solution to deploy the new softphone.

 

[N_G]

Microsoft Store is the recommended way by microsoft to manage desktop apps. It can be done on Windows 10, Windows 11, Terminal server. It can be managed centrally using Microsoft Intune. You can lock down what apps users can install. Its really quite powerful.

If you are using another store type application or central deployment mechanism to deploy AND UPDATE apps we can look into this.

If you can bypass the Microsoft Store environment you assume full responsibility in the event of a situation in which the desktop app needs to be updated.

 

[Evolute IT]

Microsoft Store is the recommended way by microsoft to manage desktop apps. It can be done on Windows 10, Windows 11, Terminal server. It can be managed centrally using Microsoft Intune. You can lock down what apps users can install. Its really quite powerful.

If you are using another store type application or central deployment mechanism to deploy AND UPDATE apps we can look into this.

If you can bypass the Microsoft Store environment you assume full responsibility in the event of a situation in which the desktop app needs to be updated.

Winget is a common one now. Chocolatey as well.

Those can install and update apps, and are often integrated with RMM tools and such.

Perhaps that could be an option.

 

[N_G]

You can already use Winget to install and update microsoft store apps, no problem. But we will look into documenting this further. Thanks for the suggestions @ConceptsWeb

At this point we are going to collect the information about Microsoft best practices and recommendations for deploying and updating WinUI 3 apps. We are sticking to these and to our current knowledge Microsoft Store and Microsoft Intune as well as Winget are the best ways to deploy WinUI apps and we support all these methods.

 

[schmidtkropp]

You can already use Winget to install and update microsoft store apps, no problem. But we will look into documenting this further. Thanks for the suggestions @ConceptsWeb

At this point we are going to collect the information about Microsoft best practices and recommendations for deploying and updating WinUI 3 apps. We are sticking to these and to our current knowledge Microsoft Store and Microsoft Intune as well as Winget are the best ways to deploy WinUI apps and we support all these methods.

Good day,
Unfortunately, your statement doesn't change the fundamental problem.
There are a large number of companies and institutions that cannot/are not allowed to allow a Windows Store for various reasons.
Because neither a Microsoft account is set up nor the store is deactivated via GPO, winget is not available.
Microsoft Intune is also not the solution in many cases because this software is not used everywhere. For example, I can only speak for the public sector in Germany: here we cannot simply release the store, for example due to data protection issues. Intune is also ruled out for this sector.

We need a solution to install the 3CX client independently of the MS Store. Of course, it is clear to us that we have the responsibility to update the client regularly.

Please give us the MSI back!

 

[theotheodorou]

We have the same issue. Windows store is disabled.

 

[N_G]

I believe for most installs Microsoft Store is the best solution.

Any case for larger enterprise installs its possible a non Microsoft store solution is needed so we are looking into it.

 

[Evolute IT]

I believe for most installs Microsoft Store is the best solution.

Any case for larger enterprise installs its possible a non Microsoft store solution is needed so we are looking into it.

I believe it would be possible to provide the AppxPackage file. Those can be installed manually via PowerShell.

I too think the store is best. It does updates and all on top of it.

 

[N_G]

Yes indeed @ConceptsWeb - Its easy for us to give you the app store package. But then when an update is needed, then what?

The app store is great for partners because it removes the responsibility for updating the desktop for the user. In the case of a security emergency partners can rest assured its handled 24/7 automatically. Just like with the android and ios app. If you have many installs on which you are making a small amount its the only way to stay profitable.

Also it removes the whole discussion of having admin rights to install the app, anti virus engines flagging the app wrongly etc.

But for bigger installs there are cases they don't want to rely on the microsoft store so we are working a way to deploy network wide - including tracking and updating. The mechanism we had in place previously can no longer be used because its no longer an MSI but an MSIX and it works somewhat differently. The electron app had its own updater.

 

[tsus]

Any updates for the Windows Installer? We urgently need that.

 

[OlegR_3CX]

@tsus
Hi there.
At the current time, there is no offline Windows installer for the new Windows 3CX app, and you can only download it from the Microsoft Store.

 

[Kano90]

No movement in this topic and a ceo that doesn‘t move when customers need it urgent. Goodbye. Hello yeastar.

 

[Nuckin Futs]

I too would like to request an MSI too, that way i can push it to workstations easily and quickly.

 

[SebBNE]

+1 to this, also a method to easily configure and deploy settings centrally so experience is consistent across all users

 

[LZettner]

I also have customers using non-persistant VDI's and they as well disable the Microsoft store. This is a big problem for customers and hopefully a work around is put in place before the deadline to go to v20 hits.

 

[SweetAction]

You can download the MSIX from here https://www.3cx.com/blog/press-releases/softphone-beta-csta/ under the section titled "Install and Update Yourself? Deploy as MSIX"