In general, you can download UWP apps directly from the Windows Store. However, if you want, you can download the .appx files from the developer page and sideload them into your system. Here’s how to install .appx files manually in Windows 10.
Turn on Sideloading Windows 10
Before installing or sideload Windows-based platform apps, you need to turn on a lighter in Windows 10. Thankfully, sideloading is enabled by default. However, it is better to verify and allow the “Sideloading” set as your administrator or organization can disable it.
To enable sideloading, click on the Notifications icon on the taskbar, and then select the “All Settings” option.
Once the Settings app has been opened, click on the option “Update and Security”.
Here, navigation to “For Developers” appears on the left panel.
Now, select the radio button “Sideload apps” on the right panel and close the window.
You have now successfully enabled sideloading in Windows 10.
Install .appx file with Double-Click
To sideload a UWP app, simply double-click the .appx file. For example, I downloaded the .appx file of the UWD CrystalDiskMark application and double-clicked it.
Since Windows uses its installer, click the “Install” button to begin the installation procedure. As you can see from the image below, Windows will show you how the application will run. In my case, the CrystalDiskMark application will run with “Full Trust Mode” capability.
Once the installation is complete, click the “Launch” button to launch the installed UWP application.
If everything goes well, you should use the app like any other UWP app installed from the Windows Store.
If you want, you can uninstall the add-on app like any other app from the Windows Store. Find the Start menu application, right-click on it, and then choose the option “Uninstall,” and you are good to go.
Install the .appx file via PowerShell
Alternatively, you can also use PowerShell to install a .appx file. To get started, search for PowerShell in the Start menu, right-click on it and then choose the option “Run as Administrator.”
The above action will launch PowerShell with administrator privileges. Here, navigate to the file location using the command below. Don’t forget to replace c:pathtoappxfiledirectory with the actual c:pathtoappxfiledirectory path of the .appx file.
Cd c: path to appx file directory
After navigating to the required directory, use the command below to install the .appx file. Again, don’t forget to replace “file. appx” with the actual UWP filename.
Add-AppxPackage. File.appx
Alternatively, you can also use the command below:
Add-AppxPackage -Path. File.appx
As soon as you execute the command, the application will be installed. You will not receive any confirmation message in the PowerShell window. However, you can search for the installed application in the Start menu and open it.
Feel free to comment below, sharing your thoughts and experiences using the above methods to install .appx UWP files in Windows 10.
