MSIX Desktop Bridge for old Windows Forms app takes 1 minute to launch

Question

Hi:

I've recently packaged an old Windows Forms app (.NET 4.7.2) into an MSIX using the MSIX Packing Tool.

The app has a dependency on a Crystal Reports runtime which requires admin permissions on Windows 10 to install. So, first I generated an MSIX for the Crystal dependency using the packaging tool. Then I added the additional assemblies for my app and added the entry point to the manifest, etc. 

The resulting msix file is about 130MB.

The app works great.  However, when I first launch it, it takes high cpu for about 1 minute before my code begins to run. For a user this would be  disconcerting. I have a new I7 laptop with a fast SSD.

Does anyone know what is happening before my code runs?  I see it grabbing the appinstaller file in Fiddler which doesn't take any time. 

Is it possible to at least show a splash screen or something during this time?

Running the app outside of the MSIX package it starts instantly. 

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi,

Thanks for posting here,

For the MSIX Packaging Tool, did you follow the Best practices for the MSIX Packaging Tool recommendations.

Did you meet the issues in the following document when packaging:

Known issues and troubleshooting tips for the MSIX Packaging Tool

And as the document: The best way to send your feedback is through the Feedback Hub.

You could submit this issue as the steps.

Best Regards,

Drake

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