How do I download Affinity V2 Windows MSI/EXE (un-sandboxed) versions?

[Patrick Connor]

The Affinity V2 Suite for Windows is available to install using either the newer MSIX, or the more traditional MSI/EXE installers - in both x64 and ARM native versions.

If you aren't sure if you need x64 or ARM, you can find out more here.

If you wish to know why we are using MSIX as the default installer option, you can find out more here.

MSIX app installations, amongst other benefits, support in-app delta updates - meaning our users do not have to download the full application installer each update, and the update can be offered and applied automatically from within the app.
Whereas MSI/EXE installations require the re-download of the full installer on each update, which must be done manually from the Affinity Store website (linked from within the app, once an update is available.)

However due to the 'sandboxed' nature of MSIX installations that Windows applies automatically, the app is installed in a locked WindowsApps folder, causing issues with certain external applications communicating with the Affinity V2 apps.

For this reason, since update 2.0.4 we also offer MSI/EXE installers which are installed in the more traditional 'un-sandboxed' locations and can easily be accessed by third party apps, as required.

You can find all of these Affinity Windows installer options available to download from the Universal License Update page, or directly from within your Affinity Store account on the 'Licenses' page, both of these methods are covered below.

NOTE:
We do not recommend or support mixtures of MSIX and MSI/EXE on the same computer.
You should only use either all sandboxed MSIX or all un-sandboxed MSI/EXE installers, if you have more than one Affinity V2 application installed.
 

V2 Universal License Update page

 

From the V2 Universal License Update page, expand the dropdown arrow for the Affinity app you wish to download/update -

Here you will see 4 options listed;

• MSIX x64
• MSI/EXE x64
• MSIX ARM
• MSI/EXE ARM

Depending on your PC requirements, select MSI/EXE x64 or MSI/EXE ARM from the list -

Your download should now begin and can be installed following the usual methods.
 

Affinity Store Account Licenses page

From the Affinity Store Account Licenses page, sign into your Affinity Account as prompted. 

Select View License for the app(s) you wish to download.
These may appear separately, or as a singular Universal License, depending on how the app(s) were originally purchased -

Now, expand the dropdown arrow for the Affinity app you wish to download/update -

Here you will see 4 options listed;

• MSIX x64
• MSI/EXE x64
• MSIX ARM
• MSI/EXE ARM

Depending on your PC requirements, select MSI/EXE x64 or MSI/EXE ARM from the list -

Your download should now begin and can be installed following the usual methods.

[Dan C]

What to do if you are seeing the Setup Failed error during installation?

If you're having trouble during installation of these MSI/EXE installers and are receiving a 'Setup Failed' error, please try the below suggestions:

• Restart your machine and try the installation again
• Right-click the .EXE file and select Run as Administrator
• Check that you have enough free space on the target disk to install the app
• Check your PC isn't in the middle of installing Windows updates - this can lock files needed to install our app/update.
• Make sure your PC is fully updated by checking for any available Windows updates
• Make sure you have the correct permissions to add/modify or remove folders within C:\Program Files\

If you have followed the above steps and are still having trouble, please create a new post detailing your issue and include a copy of your SetupUI.log file, which you can find by following these steps- 

1. Open Windows Run (Windows Key + R)
   
   

2. Paste the following string:

   %temp%\AffinitySetup
   
   

3. Press OK

4. In the Explorer window that opens, please select the most recently created folder
   
   

5. Within this folder you will find 2 files, Setup.log & SetupUI.log - please attach only SetupUI.log to your post.