FAQ: Store Version and New Installer (MSIX)
Q. What is MSIX?
A. MSIX is the latest Windows app package format provided by Microsoft. It installs and uninstalls cleanly, and along with the Store version, it is the most secure edition.
Q. Why is MSIX more secure than MSI?
A. The MSIX versions (both the Store version and the direct download) can be used more safely than the installer version (MSI) for the following reasons:
- The package installs and uninstalls cleanly, and settings are saved in a location dedicated to the app, so there are no changes that affect the entire system.
- The installer version (MSIX, direct download) is planned to be signed with Emurasoft’s certificate. Because the design requires that the signature of each file inside the package and the signature of the entire package match exactly—otherwise installation is not possible—tampering by hackers can be prevented.
- With the MSI installer, arbitrary scripts could be executed through custom actions, but the MSIX package has no equivalent feature, so tampering by hackers who exploit scripts can be prevented.
Therefore, the MSIX versions—both Store distribution and direct download—are the latest Windows app package format recommended by Microsoft, and are the most secure. If you are installing EmEditor for the first time, we recommend the MSIX version.
Q. What is the difference between the Store version (MSIX) and the new installer (MSIX, direct download)?
A. Both use the same MSIX package format and are complete desktop apps with the same speed and features as the installer version (MSI), but they differ in how they are distributed and updated.
The Store version (MSIX) is the full version of the EmEditor desktop application, provided in the latest MSIX package format through the Microsoft Store. The package installs and uninstalls cleanly, settings are saved in a location dedicated to the app, and it is updated automatically through the Microsoft Store. Because the app is verified and signed by the Microsoft Store, it can be considered the most secure edition.
The new installer (MSIX, direct download) is the full version of the EmEditor desktop application, packaged in the latest MSIX format, that you download directly from the EmEditor website—without going through the Microsoft Store—and install manually. It has the same speed and features as the Store version, installs and uninstalls cleanly, and saves settings in a location dedicated to the app. Because updates are delivered automatically by the Windows App Installer using an .appinstaller file, the Microsoft Store is not required to obtain new versions. This makes it suitable for environments where the Microsoft Store is not available but installing MSIX is permitted. The package is signed with Emurasoft’s certificate.
In short, the Store version is obtained and updated through the Microsoft Store, and because it adds verification and signing by the Store, it is the most secure. The new installer (MSIX), on the other hand, is intended for environments where the Microsoft Store is not available; it is downloaded directly from the official website and receives automatic updates via the .appinstaller file.
Q. Are there any differences in the features of EmEditor itself between the old installer (MSI) and the MSIX version?
A. They share exactly the same binary file (.exe), so there is almost no difference in features. For details, please see the comparison of the installer, portable, and Store versions. The MSIX version does have some more convenient features. For example, with the sharing feature, the MSIX version can sync via a Microsoft account. In addition, the AI features are bundled in the MSIX version’s package, but they are not bundled in the old installer version, so they must be downloaded separately.
Q. I am using the old installer version (MSI). Could you tell me why I should switch to the new installer (MSIX) version?
A. The provision of updates for the old installer version is currently scheduled to end in March 2027. If you do not switch to the MSIX version before then, you will no longer be able to receive updates. The new installer (MSIX) version is less likely to affect the entire system, is the most secure, and is also less likely to fail during a future uninstall. *This schedule is subject to change.
Q. I am using the old installer version (MSI) and would like to switch to the Store version or the new installer (MSIX) version. Should I uninstall the old installer version before installing the MSIX version?
A. We recommend uninstalling the old installer version either before or after installing the MSIX version. If both are installed, problems with file associations and settings may occur. If you uninstall the old installer version before installing the MSIX version, a dialog asking whether to keep your settings will appear during uninstallation. If you want to carry over your current settings to the MSIX version, select “Yes” here to save them, and your settings can be carried over.
Q. When I download the new installer (MSIX), a small file with the extension .appinstaller is created. What is this file?
A. The .appinstaller is a small XML text file that specifies where to obtain the MSIX package, so you can view its contents in EmEditor. The file specifies information such as the URL to the EmEditor MSIX package (.msix) and the method of automatic updating. When you double-click and run this file, the signed EmEditor MSIX package is installed, and you will receive updates automatically thereafter.
Q. After installing with the App Installer (.appinstaller), how can I disable automatic updates?
A. For the new installer (MSIX, direct download), you can disable them from the Windows Settings app. The Windows Settings app provides a feature to enable or disable automatic updates and repairs of Windows apps. Specifically, you can disable automatic updates for EmEditor from [Settings] → [Apps] → [Advanced app settings] (or the App Installer settings). Note that changes made to a specific Windows app override all settings for that specific Windows app. Therefore, this method lets you stop automatic updates for EmEditor individually.
For the Store version, due to a recent policy change, turning off the automatic app updates toggle now displays a dropdown that only allows you to pause updates for a period of 1 to 5 weeks. In other words, you cannot permanently stop the Store from updating apps automatically; eventually the Store will keep all installed apps up to date.
Q. What happens if I open and install only the MSIX installer (.msix) itself directly, without using the App Installer (.appinstaller)?
A. If you install with only the .msix itself, that version is installed as is, and automatic updates will not occur. On the EmEditor download page as well, the new installer version (.msix only, for offline installation, no updates) is provided for computers that are not connected to the Internet, and if you install with this, automatic updates will be disabled going forward.
Therefore, it is suitable for offline environments without an Internet connection, or when you intentionally want to disable automatic updates.
Q. After opening only the MSIX installer (.msix) itself directly, without using the App Installer (.appinstaller), how can I enable automatic updates?
A. If you want to enable automatic updates afterward, download and run the .appinstaller file again. To enable automatic updates for the official version only, download and run https://download.emeditor.com/emeditor64.appinstaller; to include Preview versions, download and run https://download.emeditor.com/emeditor64preview.appinstaller. When you open the .appinstaller, the signed EmEditor MSIX package is installed, and you will receive updates automatically thereafter.
Q. How often and when do automatic updates occur?
A. If you install with the Store version or the new installer (MSIX, .appinstaller), updates are checked in the background approximately every 8 hours, regardless of whether EmEditor is running. This type of update does not display any UI (on-screen prompt), so it normally requires no user action and keeps the app up to date automatically.
Q. How can I enable automatic updates including Preview versions?
A. Please download and run https://download.emeditor.com/emeditor64preview.appinstaller. From then on, updates—including Preview versions—will be applied automatically.
Q. How can I enable automatic updates for the official version only, not Preview versions?
A. Please download and run https://download.emeditor.com/emeditor64.appinstaller. From then on, only the official version (excluding Preview versions) will be updated automatically.
Q. How can I install a specific older version and disable automatic updates?
A. Please download by specifying a URL that includes the version number, in the form https://download.emeditor.com/emed64_xx.x.x.msix. For example, if you want to download v26.2.2, download https://download.emeditor.com/emed64_26.2.2.msix. If you install with only the .msix itself, automatic updates will be disabled going forward. These older versions are also planned to be available for download from Previous Versions.
Q. Which version should I install? Please explain with a flowchart.
A.
Do you need to save it on a USB drive and carry it around?
│
├─ Yes → Download the portable version (ZIP)
│
└─ No
│
Is your OS Windows 8.1 or Server 2016 or earlier?
│
├─ Yes → Download the old installer version (MSI)
│
└─ No
│
Can you connect to the Internet?
│
├─ No → New installer version (.msix only)
│
└─ Yes
│
Can you access the Microsoft Store?
│
├─ No → New installer version (.appinstaller)
│
└─ Yes → Install the Store versionQ. Can I use my purchased license with either version?
A. A license purchased through the EmEditor website can be used with both the Store version and the new installer version. However, a license purchased through the Microsoft Store can be used only with the Store version.