Windows 10's Desktop App Converter updated with a bunch of new features

At Build 2016, Microsoft released the Desktop App Converter aka Project Centennial. With the Desktop App Converter, Win32 app developers can convert their apps and submit the converted app to the Windows Store. Using the Desktop App Converter is fairly easy, and it’s definitely one of the best features that are coming with the upcoming Anniversary Update for Windows 10. For users, it’ll be good because they will be able to download (most of) their favourite Win32 apps right from the Windows Store, and  get automatic updates as well. And for developers, publishing new updates and delivering their apps will get a lot easier thanks to the Windows Store.

Yesterday, Microsoft released a new update for Desktop App Converter. The company added a bunch of new features and improvements with the latest update, including support for the Pro SKU. Here is the changelog:

• Restored support for Pro edition of Windows.
• Converter -Setup flag now enables Windows Containers feature and handles base image expansion. Run the following from an elevated PowerShell prompt to do one time setup: PS C:\> .\DesktopAppConverter.ps1 -Setup -BaseImage BaseImage-12345.wim -Verbose
• Added auto-detection of app install path and moving application root outside of VFS to reduce any unnecessary file system redirections at runtime.
• Added auto-detection of the expanded base image as part of the conversion process.
• Added auto-detection for file type associations and protocols.
• Improved logic to detect Start Menu shortcut.
• Improved file system filtering to retain app installed MUI files.
• Updated the minimum supported desktop version (10.0.14342.0) for Project Centennial in the manifest.

As a reminder, you will need the latest build of Windows 10 Insider Preview – that’s build 14342. If you are a Windows Developer interested in the Desktop App Converter, you can check out the tool here.