MakeAppx

MakeAppx is a Microsoft command-line tool used to create APPX packages for Windows applications. It is included in the Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) and is used to assemble an APPX package from a set of application files and a package manifest.

To create a package, a developer prepares a folder containing the app content, a valid AppxManifest.xml, and optional resources and dependencies. MakeAppx reads these inputs and produces a single .appx file that can be distributed and installed on Windows devices that support APPX deployment. The packaging process validates the manifest and the content but does not perform signing; the resulting package typically must be signed with SignTool before distribution.

History and scope: MakeAppx was introduced for Windows 8 and has been retained in later SDKs for compatibility with APPX-based workflows. Since Windows 10, the preferred modern packaging for Windows apps is MSIX, which supersedes APPX for new deployments; MakeAppx remains available for legacy APPX packaging scenarios and for environments that still rely on APPX-based distribution.

Usage notes: MakeAppx focuses on packaging content and manifest into an APPX. It supports including resources, dependencies, and capabilities as declared in the manifest. It is typically used by developers and IT professionals building internal distributions or testing APPX packaging workflows.