How to Integrate EULA in MSIX-Deployed Applications

Create the Application

First things first, let’s create the Windows Forms application in Visual Studio:

1. Navigate to File → New → Project.

2. Choose the Windows Forms App template from the list of templates.

3. Set a name for the project, select the .NET version and press the ‘Create’ button.

Add the License Agreement Form

Now, let’s add the end-user license agreement form:

1. To add a new form to the application: right-click on the project → Add → Form → name it EULA.
2. Insert the license agreement text into a RichTextBox or a TextBox set to read-only.
3. Add two buttons: ‘Accept’ and ‘Decline’.

Manage the License Agreement

Step 1. Check the system registry to determine if the user has accepted the license agreement upon app launch.

Use the following code to search for the 'licenseAgreement' registry entry:

RegistryKey appSettingsKey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(@"Software\Your Company\Your Application");
bool isEulaAccepted = false;
 if (appSettingsKey != null)
 {
     var eulaStatus = appSettingsKey.GetValue("licenseAgreement") as string;
     isEulaAccepted = eulaStatus == "Accepted";
     appSettingsKey.Close();
 }

Step 2. If the user hasn’t accepted the license agreement, display the EULA form and wait for their response.

if (!isEulaAccepted)
{
    using (EULA EulaForm = new EULA())
    {
        if (EulaForm.ShowDialog() != DialogResult.OK)
        {
            return;
        }
    }
}

Step 3. Record the license agreement acceptance in the registry if the user accepts it.

private void btnAccept_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    RegistryKey appSettingsKey = Registry.CurrentUser.CreateSubKey(@"Software\Your Company\Your Application");
    appSettingsKey.SetValue("licenseAgreement", "Accepted");
    appSettingsKey.Close();
    this.DialogResult = DialogResult.OK;
    this.Close();
}

Step 4. Close the app if the user declines the license agreement.

private void btnDecline_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    this.DialogResult = DialogResult.Cancel;
    MessageBox.Show("You must accept the EULA to use this application.", "EULA Declined", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information);
    Application.Exit();
}

Create the MSIX Package for the Application

Once the license agreement feature is implemented and the app is ready to be deployed, let me guide you through creating the MSIX package for the application.

Before going through the next steps, ensure that you’ve added the Advanced Installer extension to Visual Studio. If you haven’t already, you can download it from the Visual Studio Marketplace.

Now, it’s time to create the setup project for the application:

1. Right-click on the project solution → Add → New Project.

2. From the list of templates, select the Advanced Installer Project template.

3. Set a name for the project and click the ‘Create’ button.

Once the project is created, you can access the project viewer by selecting the .AIP file. In the project viewer, you can edit basic information regarding your installer.

Add MSIX Build to the Setup Project

By default, the Advanced Installer Project generates an MSI package.

To generate an MSIX package instead, you need to add an MSIX build:

1. Go to the MSIX tab in the viewer and click on the ‘Add UWP MSIX Build’ option.

Please note that adding an MSIX build is a feature available starting with the Professional edition of Advanced Installer.
Start Advanced Installer’s 30-dat free trial and get access to all features.

2. After adding the MSIX build, you must switch the installer project configuration:

- Navigate to the Build Menu → Configuration Manager.

- Switch the installer project configuration from DefaultBuild to <Newly added MSIX Build>.

Digitally Sign the Package

The last step is to digitally sign the package. Here’s how to do it:

• Open the Digital Signature tab.
• Check the ‘Enable signing’ option.
• Select your certificate from a local file on your disk or import it from the store.
• If you do not have a certificate, simply click the 'Create' button to create one.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adapting to the new MSIX packaging format requires a shift in how we handle initial app configurations, such as presenting license agreements. As we've seen, this process involves a few key steps: creating a Windows Forms application, adding a license agreement form, managing user responses to the agreement, and finally, packaging the application as an MSIX using Visual Studio and Advanced Installer.

By following the steps outlined in this article, developers can ensure that their applications comply with the requirements of MSIX technology while maintaining a user-friendly experience. The registry-based approach for tracking the acceptance of the EULA, along with the straightforward integration with Advanced Installer, streamlines the deployment process.

As MSIX continues to grow in popularity, its benefits in terms of security, reliability, and ease of deployment make it an attractive option for software distribution. Understanding and implementing these new guidelines not only enhances the user experience but also ensures that your applications are future-proof in the ever-evolving landscape of software development and distribution.