Windows Application File Formats
Digital.ai App Management lets you upload Windows applications in any of these file formats:
See the sections below for more information on each format. For instructions on adding an application to Digital.ai App Management, see Add an Application.
MSI (Windows Installer Package)
An MSI file is a Windows Installer (formerly called a Microsoft Installer) package that contains all the necessary information for installing an application. You can distribute an MSI file so that users can run the installer directly from the App Catalog.
The User's Experience
In the App Catalog, the application displays with an INSTALL button. When the user taps the button, it launches the installer to install the app on the device.
Once the app is installed, the INSTALL button changes to INSTALLED.
ZIP (Compressed Application Files)
You can distribute an application in a ZIP archive file format. This option is typically used to deliver a compressed application executable or installer, but it can be used to distribute any archived collection of files to the user's device.
The User's Experience
In the App Catalog, the application displays with a DOWNLOAD button. When the user taps the button, it prompts the user to Open or Save the file. Opening the file downloads and extracts it in a temporary folder. Saving the file downloads the ZIP file to the user's Downloads folder on the device. The next step for the user depends on the contents of the archive. For example, the user can save the ZIP file, extract the downloaded file, and then launch an .install file to install the app.
Once the app is downloaded, the DOWNLOAD button changes to DOWNLOADED.
EXE (Application Executable)
You can distribute a Windows executable file. It can be the application executable or an application installer (for example: setup.exe). When you add the app to Digital.ai App Management, you can select the **Add to Windows 'Start menu' **option to add the application to the Apps view.
The User's Experience
In the App Catalog, the application displays with an INSTALL button. When the user taps the button, Digital.ai App Management installs the app in a subfolder of the user's home folder (C:Users<username>). By default, the subfolder is named "Enterprise Apps," but you can modify the folder name on the Settings page in the Admin Portal. For example, you can change the folder name to "Example Company Apps." If the folder does not exist on the device, it will be created the first time the user installs an EXE file from the App Catalog onto the device. For instructions on changing the folder, see Manage Application Settings.
When Digital.ai App Management installs the EXE file in the installation folder, it prefixes the file name with a unique ID for the app. For example: 4101_rename.exe. This allows the user to install other apps that may have the same EXE file name.
Depending on the executable, the app may be installed directly or the user may be prompted with an installation wizard.
Once the app is installed, the INSTALL button changes to OPEN so the user can launch the app directly from the App Catalog.
APPX (Universal Windows Platform)
You can distribute a Universal Windows Platform app in APPX format. APPX files are typically installed directly via the Microsoft Store, so installing through Digital.ai App Management requires users to to take some additional steps.
APPX files can only be distributed via the Web App Catalog.
The User's Experience
APPX files can only be installed on Windows 10 devices with at least version 1511 (released in November 2015).
Additionally, the user's device must be configured to enable "sideloading". To enable sideloading, go to Settings > Update & Security > For Developers, and select either Sideload apps or Developer mode. Once sideloading is enabled, a user can install the app.
In the App Catalog, the Universal Windows Platform app appears with a Download button. When a user taps the button, the app is downloaded and installed on the user's device.