Malicious programs are constantly finding new ways to harm or damage devices. Seeing these things, it would always be reasonable to get apps in the Appx file format that is used by Universal Windows Platform (UWP) applications in Windows 11/10. It allows you to install the apps directly from the Microsoft Store.
However, sometimes you may need to install the .Appx package from outside the Windows Store. In that case, Windows 10 offers you to install it using a simple command in PowerShell. For example, let us assume that you are a software developer and you have a great app idea to work on. But before uploading it to the Store, you must have to test it properly.
In this guide, we will explain a pretty easy way to install .Appx Package With PowerShell.
How to Install Appx app Package with PowerShell
Enable sideloading of apps
Before you begin, make sure the sideloading of apps is enabled in the Windows 10 Settings. By default, this option does available in the enabled form but sometimes it might be disabled by the administrator.
In order to check it or to change these settings, you first need to sign in as an administrator. After that, open the Windows 10 Settings > Update & Security > For Developers. Now move to the right pane and select the radio button next to the Sideload apps.
At this time, you may receive a warning prompt while enabling app sideloading on your Windows device. To turn on app sideloading, click on the Yes button.
To sideload apps in Windows 11:
- Open Windows 11 Settings.
- Scroll down to Privacy & security.
- Switch to the Security Section.
- Expand For Developers menu.
- Locate Developer Mode heading.
- Toggle the switch to On position.
Windows 11 user? Read how to sideload Android apps using WSA on Windows 11.
Use PowerShell
Once you have made the proper verification/changes, it is time to install the .Appx Package.
To do this, open an elevated PowerShell prompt in your Windows device.
In the Windows PowerShell interface, type the following text and press Enter –
Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\Path\to\File.Appx"
In the above command line, the respective path indicates the location of the .appx file that is stored in the subfolder directory of your device.
So, here you have to replace the Path with the exact located path of the .appx file.
Also, replace file.appx with the Universal Windows Platform file name as shown in the above snapshot. Then press Enter to run the command line.
On pressing the Enter key, it will start executing the command and in a moment, the app gets installed on your device.
Now you can simply click on the Start button and open the app like any other application.
That’s it.
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