Distribute through the Microsoft Store

[MatthewSteeples]

Being able to download this app through the Microsoft Store would have a number of benefits, including:

• Ensuring that users are always running the latest version of the app
• The updating of the application not interrupting the workflow of actually using the application
• Automated deployment through platforms such as the Business Store
• Improved discoverability / guarantee of authenticity
• Potential to share assets with other Electron apps
• Discover and Install using WinGet

[bgklein]

Thank you for reaching out. Currently BatchExplorer does have auto-update on close functionality, which should address the first two bullets and is signed with a Microsoft certificate which can be used to verify authenticity. These can be improved further but should provide a base for some of these points.

There are certainly benefits as you mentioned in the automated deployments, discoverability, and some added authenticity, so we can look into adding this in the future.

[MatthewSteeples]

Thanks for your response @bgklein. I don't know if it's useful at all, but there are some docs on enabling Electron apps to be deployed to the store here which may integrate into the build process. I appreciate that it's not a priority based on the functionality that the existing deployment method provides

[MatthewSteeples]

An additional benefit to deploying through the Store is that it automatically takes care of being able to install the App through Winget without having to submit it as a package there

[bgklein]

@MatthewSteeples I left the team back in early 2023. @gingi, @dpwatrous, or @cRui861 are you able to coordinate with the HPC team on the action status of this?