DesktopAppConverter : Still trying to convert a Win32 app to a working AppX

I have been at it for over a month, now.

I am able to convert my Win32 app to an AppX with the DesktopAppConverter and sign it, but I still get the error :

Ask the developer for a new app package. This package may conflict with a package already installed, or it depends on things not installed here (package dependencies), or is made for a different architecture (0x80073CF3)

At the end of the conversion process, the converter displays this :

W_PACKAGE_DEPENDENCY_ADDED A dependency on framework package 'Microsoft.VCLibs.120.00.UWPDesktop' was added to the AppxManifest.xml. See 'http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=821959' for guidance on installing the package prior to local deployment. Otherwise, if this is in error, remove the corresponding entry from Dependencies in the AppxManifest.xml before packaging and deploying your application

.

So I checked https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/vcblog/2016/07/07/using-visual-c-runtime-in-centennial-project/

Downloaded vc_uwpdesktop.120.exe (version 12.0.40653.00) and installed it.

Then, following instructions at the page above, tried to repackage my app with :

MakeAppx pack /d C:\output\CheckWriterIII\PackageFiles /p C:\output\CheckWriter3.appx

Still the same error. So I tried :

add-appxpackage –register C:\output\CheckWriterIII\PackageFiles\AppxManifest.xml

Now I get :

add-appxpackage : Deployment failed with HRESULT: 0x80073CF3, Package failed updates, dependency or conflict validation. Windows cannot install package CheckWriterIII_3.2.0.0_x86__eqr0y32pbpypt because this package depends on a framework that could not be found. Provide the framework "Microsoft.VCLibs.120.00.UWPDesktop" published by "CN=Microsoft Corporation, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US", with neutral or x86 processor architecture and minimum version 12.0.40652.5, along with this package to install. The frameworks with name "Microsoft.VCLibs.120.00.UWPDesktop" currently installed are: {} NOTE: For additional information, look for [ActivityId] 147c2bae-26c2-0000-36d8-7c14c226d201 in the Event Log or use the command line Get-AppxLog -ActivityID 147c2bae-26c2-0000-36d8-7c14c226d201 At line:1 char:1 + add-appxpackage –register C:\output\CheckWriterIII\PackageFiles\AppxM ... + ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + CategoryInfo : WriteError: (C:\output\Check...ppxManifest.xml:String) [Add-AppxPackage], IOException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : DeploymentError,Microsoft.Windows.Appx.PackageManager.Commands.AddAppxPackageCommand

I have tried to follow to the best of my ability the Msdn literature, looked all over the Internet for guidance, and am still stuck.

It seems not many people actually use the DesktopAppConverter, or are willing to share their knowledge.

Really, I would appreciate a hand.

Mayday !

Please follow the guidance described in this blog post for handling the dependency on VCLIB runtime libraries:

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/vcblog/2016/07/07/using-visual-c-runtime-in-centennial-project/

Thanks, Stefan Wick - Windows Developer Platform