--- layout: Conceptual title: Create an MSIX image to use with App Attach in Azure Virtual Desktop - Azure - Azure Virtual Desktop | Azure Docs canonicalUrl: https://docs.azure.cn/en-us/virtual-desktop/app-attach-create-msix-image breadcrumb_path: /bread/toc.json uhfHeaderId: mooncake recommendations: false manager: femila ms.author: v-johya ms.service: azure-virtual-desktop description: To use App Attach in Azure Virtual Desktop, you need to expand an MSIX-packaged application into an MSIX image. This article shows you how to create an MSIX image. ms.topic: how-to author: Johnnytechn ms.date: 2025-09-11T00:00:00.0000000Z locale: en-us document_id: a7572661-afc1-7a84-0ee3-d6f50d386db6 document_version_independent_id: 87681853-268c-ec59-70f0-1f28a9424ac1 updated_at: 2025-09-15T01:11:00.0000000Z original_content_git_url: https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/mc-docs-pr/blob/live/articles/virtual-desktop/app-attach-create-msix-image.md gitcommit: https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/mc-docs-pr/blob/7fc138dbf6be2f3a5b419dd95574eef45ba656c3/articles/virtual-desktop/app-attach-create-msix-image.md git_commit_id: 7fc138dbf6be2f3a5b419dd95574eef45ba656c3 site_name: DocsAzureCN depot_name: Azure.mooncake-docs page_type: conceptual toc_rel: toc.json feedback_system: None feedback_product_url: '' feedback_help_link_type: '' feedback_help_link_url: '' word_count: 632 asset_id: virtual-desktop/app-attach-create-msix-image moniker_range_name: monikers: [] item_type: Content source_path: articles/virtual-desktop/app-attach-create-msix-image.md cmProducts: - https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/7814ca69-56be-4667-8a46-86327796c328 - https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/68ec7f3a-2bc6-459f-b959-19beb729907d spProducts: - https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/f15dfcd0-2664-48ba-bb88-f1f86eadbfd1 - https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/90370425-aca4-4a39-9533-d52e5e002a5d platformId: a70658a6-1cc7-02a7-3ac0-fec3a64ccaca --- # Create an MSIX image to use with App Attach in Azure Virtual Desktop - Azure - Azure Virtual Desktop | Azure Docs To use MSIX packages with App Attach in Azure Virtual Desktop, you need to expand an MSIX package application into an MSIX image. This article shows you how to create an MSIX image. ## Prerequisites Before you can create an MSIX image, you need the following things: - Download the [MSIXMGR tool](https://aka.ms/msixmgr) and extract it to a folder. - Administrative permissions on a Windows 10 or Windows 11 device to create the MSIX image. - An MSIX-packaged application (`.msix` file) you want to use with Azure Virtual Desktop. To learn how to convert a desktop installer to an MSIX package, see [Create an MSIX package from any desktop installer (MSI, EXE, ClickOnce, or App-V)](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/msix/packaging-tool/create-app-package). Tip You can download an application that is already available as an MSIX package from several software vendors. [Microsoft XML Notepad](https://microsoft.github.io/XmlNotepad/) is available to download as an MSIX package. You can get the latest release from [GitHub](https://github.com/microsoft/XmlNotepad/releases/) by downloading the file with the `.msixbundle` file extension. Note If you're using packages from the Microsoft Store for Business or Education on your network or on devices not connected to the internet, you'll need to download and install package licenses from the Microsoft Store to run the apps. To get the licenses, see [Use packages offline](app-attach-test-msix-packages#use-packages-offline). ## Create an App Attach disk image When creating an MSIX image, you convert an MSIX package to a *VHD*, *VHDX*, or *CIM* disk image using the *MSIXMGR tool*. We recommend using CIM for best performance, particularly with Windows 11, as it consumes less CPU and memory, with improved mounting and unmounting times. We don't recommend using VHD; use VHDX instead. Select the relevant tab for your scenario. # [CIM](#tab/cim) Here are example commands to create a CIM disk image from an MSIX package. You'll need to change the example values for your own. You should create a new folder for the destination because a CIM disk image is made up of multiple files and this helps differentiate between the images. Important To guarantee compatibility, make sure the CIM files storing your MSIX images are generated on a version of Windows that is lower than or equal to the version of Windows where you are planning to run the MSIX packages. For example, CIM files generated on Windows 11 may not work on Windows 10. 1. Open command prompt as an administrator and change to the directory you extracted the MSIXMGR tool. 2. Make sure the folder you use for the destination exists before you run MSIXMGR. Create a new folder if necessary. 3. To create the CIM disk image, run the following command: ```cmd msixmgr.exe -Unpack -packagePath "C:\msix\myapp.msix" -destination "C:\msix\myapp\myapp.cim" -applyACLs -create -fileType cim -rootDirectory apps ``` The output should be similar to the following example: ```output Successfully created the CIM file: C:\msix\myapp\myapp.cim ``` # [VHDX](#tab/vhdx) Here's an example command to create a VHDX disk image from an MSIX image. A single VHDX file is created. 1. Open command prompt as an administrator and change to the directory you extracted the MSIXMGR tool. 2. Make sure the folder you use for the destination exists before you run MSIXMGR. Create a new folder if necessary. 3. To create the VHDX disk image, run the following command: ```cmd msixmgr.exe -Unpack -packagePath "C:\msix\myapp.msix" -destination "C:\msix\myapp.vhdx" -applyACLs -create -fileType vhdx -rootDirectory apps ``` The output should be similar to the following example: ```output Successfully created virtual disk Stopping the Shell Hardware Detection service Stopping dependent services if necessary. Successfully initialized and partitioned the disk. Formatting the disk. Successfully formatted disk Starting the Shell Hardware Detection service Successfully started the Shell Hardware Detection Service Finished unpacking packages to: C:\msix\myapp.vhdx ``` ---