Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   mikiem2
   Moderator

   msdn[.]microsoft[.]com/en-us/windows/uwp/porting/desktop-to-uwp-run-desktop-app-converter

   In a nutshell, this command line app monitors the setup & running of regular desktop software, then packages them as a Universal Platform app that could be put in the store or side loaded on a Windows 10 device.

   It should take care of dependencies, e.g. when an app wants to install something like the C/C++ runtimes, take care of installation [& uninstallation], and install/run the converted app in the same sandbox sort of environment as other UWP apps in the store.

   This isn't for everyone, but thought some like Krypteller might be interested.

   Posted 7 years ago #
2. 

   plop
   Member

   so how to use it?

   Posted 7 years ago #
3. 

   mikiem2
   Moderator

   so how to use it?

   Not being a smart a**, follow the directions listed in the Microsoft docs, starting at the link in the 1st post.

   You have to be running a supported version [build] of 10, get the app + an additional Windows 10 image download, configure the program you want to convert to install silently, e.g. with a command line switch, then start the converter from the command line, start it recording, then run the program's setup or installation routine. It's similar to running Cameyo & recording an app install, but where Cameyo packages a portable app, the MS convertor packages it in the format used by 10's store.

   I *think* that like Cameyo, what's important is recording what files are added/updated, along with any needed changes to the registry, so that when you install the converted app those same changes happen. Unlike Cameyo you're stuck with the command line, so you can't make the changes one by one, but would likely have to use some sort of script file if you couldn't or didn't want to run the app's setup silently.

   Posted 7 years ago #
4. 

   Philipgreenwood
   Member

   my,, , Son and I need this converter App so that some old software will work on win10. What and How?? again does it go.. Specifically a learn Language program. Does it work for old Xp games. ?

   Posted 7 years ago #
5. 

   ChrisS
   Administrator

   so that some old software will work on win10

   
   The above program won't help you as it only makes a program portable and won't fix compatibility issues.

   You'll need a virtual machine to run your old programs in Windows 10 (assuming you can't get the compatibility troubleshooter to fix the issues). You can download temporary VMs from Microsoft in a number of different VM formats (Virtualbox, VMPlayer, Virtual PC, etc).

   You'd need to install the VM software, download the appropriate VM, install the games in the VM and you'd be good to play.

   Posted 7 years ago #
6. 

   mikiem2
   Moderator

   In case it helps at all...

   "(assuming you can't get the compatibility troubleshooter to fix the issues)."

   If you've got a copy of the program's folder with all the program's files, right click the .exe file that runs the app, & click troubleshoot compatibility from the context menu. If you don't have that, & need to run the program's install, right click that setup file & troubleshoot compatibility. I've found that running the troubleshooter on the setup file *sometimes* works better than running setup, then running the troublshooter on the app after it's been installed.

   "You'll need a virtual machine to run your old programs in Windows 10..."

   10 comes with Hyper-V, which is a version of their virtual PC tech that they use on their cloud setups. One advantage is not having to install 3rd party virtualization software & drivers -- one disadvantage is that *to me* it was harder to understand the directions & get something working than using either VMWare or VirtualBox.

   Posted 7 years ago #

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