Is it possible to build a portable executable?

[Kasea]

Like the title says, is it possible to build a portable executable using RNW?

I am aware you can make a standalone one where you create a APPX package, but I would much rather prefer a portable executable. Is this possible?

[chrisglein]

RNW apps are UWP apps by default. There are some considerations to that for sure (https://microsoft.github.io/react-native-windows/docs/native-code#win32-desktop-apps-vs-rnw-apps), including the fact that UWP apps aren't single EXEs and have a totally different packaging model.

It's possible to add RNW to a classic Win32 app in an "island". You can find some info on that here: microsoft/react-native-windows-samples#540. There may be additional considerations if you're looking to make a single file EXE with everything bundled together, not sure about that.

[AlbertShown]

if you're looking to make a single file EXE with everything bundled together, not sure about that.

Using WebUI, you can make a full portable single file EXE, around 1 MB.

[raffaeler]

@chrisglein This is a prescriptive requirement for many large customers of mine.
They banned internally the MS Store and do not allow UWP/Windows Apps to be installed on their clients.
Currently they are deploying with either msi packages or Clickonce.

Is there any hope to see classic deployment? This is a huge restriction that won't ever be accepted (they are more willing to convert to a web application rather than changing this decision).

[nocanstillbb]

now react native for windows can use win app sdk not uwp in new arch , Is it possible to build a portable executable?

[chrisglein]

Ah yes, much has changed over the past few years since this discussion post was created. Yes, on new architecture RNW is now a Win32+WinAppSDK app, not UWP. So that means this needs fresh evaluation. I'm not personally familiar with whether one can create a single bundled executable of a Win32+WinAppSDK app, but that would be the deciding question. I suspect the answer is yes but I'm not familiar with the steps.

[nocanstillbb]

https://microsoft.github.io/react-native-windows/docs/new-architecture

https://microsoft.github.io/react-native-windows/docs/new-architecture

still create a uwp app which can't publish to portable dir

[chrisglein]

If you follow the steps to create a new arch application that will be a Win32 app with WinAppSDK, not a UWP app.

[nocanstillbb]

If you follow the steps to create a new arch application that will be a Win32 app with WinAppSDK, not a UWP app.

.package is a uwp shell that using winappsdk nuget package ,

I tried to implement the unpackaged winsdkapp based on this unpacked demo and found that the project structure was different

[nocanstillbb]

However, I am not familiar with UWP and Win32 App SDK projects. I will study it again. Thanks.