Reference

MSIX (Windows app)

MSIX is a modern Windows app package format meant to replace older MSI and setup.exe installers. It installs apps in a clean, contained way so they can be cleanly uninstalled, and is the format used by many Microsoft Store apps.

Files & formatsWindows

MSIX (Windows app)

Also known as: MSIX file, .msix package, modern Windows installer, MSIX bundle

Modern Windows app package replacing MSI/EXE
Contained install for clean, reliable uninstall
Used by many Microsoft Store apps

A cleaner modern package

MSIX was designed to fix long-standing installer problems. Apps install in a contained, managed way that leaves the system tidy and makes a full, clean uninstall reliable — no leftover files or registry clutter.

It supports modern Windows app features and is the packaging format behind many Microsoft Store apps.

Installing MSIX files

Double-click an MSIX to open the App Installer, or get the app from the Microsoft Store. Installed apps appear in Settings > Apps like any other.

Sideloaded MSIX packages may require a trusted signature or developer mode, depending on system policy.

Related terms

Keep reading the reference.

Files & formatsArchive fileAn archive file bundles many files and folders into one container — for example a ZIP, RAR, or 7z. Most archives also compress their contents to save space, but some (like plain TAR) only bundle without shrinking anything.General Files & formatsZIP archiveA ZIP archive bundles one or more files into a single compressed .zip file that is smaller and easier to share. Unzipping it creates a second, full-size copy of the contents — so an archive and its extracted files can both take up space at once.General Storage conceptsCompression (lossy vs lossless)Compression shrinks a file by encoding its data more efficiently. Lossless compression rebuilds the original exactly, while lossy compression permanently discards detail the eye or ear is least likely to notice in exchange for much smaller files.General