Designer 2.0.3 installer doesn't work with non-admin Windows accounts

[mmorlan]

Hi there. I recently upgraded Affinity Photo and Designer. The affinity-designer-2.0.3.msix installer installs the app but any attempt to launch the installed app results in a momentary spin of the cursor and then nothing. Photo 2.0.3 works fine.

I tried installing under a separate admin Windows account and that works fine. But that install isn't visible to the non-admin account where I normally work. Why isn't this installer visible to all Windows users on my workstation?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael

[walt.farrell]

Welcome to the Serif Affinity forums.

MSIX-based apps must be installed for each user account that intends to use them. You might try, from the original account:

• Run as Administrator, if that account can do that. This may be needed once (though it should not be needed).
  or
• Pressing the Ctrl key while starting the application. Leave the first 3 items checked in the Clear User Data dialog, and press Clear.

If neither works, are you getting any crash reports when the application fails to start? 

 

[mmorlan]

Walt,

Thanks for the clarification. Looks like Microsoft's "new cruelty." 🙂

I'll check this solution once I'm back on that PC.

Related: I found this article about setting up app chortcuts for MSIX apps:

https://www.advancedinstaller.com/handle-desktop-shortcuts-through-msix.html

Is there some method to create a shortcut for MSIX Serif apps? I want to place a shortcut in a custom menu folder just like I have been doing for two decades.

Thanks!

Michael

Edited February 5, 2023 by mmorlan

[walt.farrell]

46 minutes ago, mmorlan said:

Is there some method to create a shortcut for MSIX Serif apps? I want to place a shortcut in a custom menu folder just like I have been doing for two decades.

Please explain further what you mean by "a custom menu folder".

For getting a desktop shortcut:

https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/167826-how-do-i-create-a-desktop-shortcut-for-affinity-v2-apps/

Also, I forgot to mention that MSIX-based apps are not supposed to require Administrator authority to install. That's another touted advantage of that techology.

[walt.farrell]

52 minutes ago, N.P.M. said:

But perhaps the new msi installers as of version 2.0.4 are of better use in your situation.

Good point. Thanks for mentioning it.

 

[mmorlan]

Aha!! There they are. Thanks so much!

Next Steps

Uninstall the MSXI and install the EXE.

Thanks!