Windows 10: Why has the ms-appinstaller protocol been disabled?

We deploy our software in MSIX format and use the ms-appinstaller protocol to provide a one click install & configure link to our customers.The link uses the documented format ms-appinstaller:?source=<download uri to msix>&activationUri=<configuration parameters>This has been working well in Windows 10 22H1 and Windows 11.The protocol appears to have been disabled without any announcement from Microsoft since 13th December 2023.The app installer shows reason: "The ms-appinstaller protocol has been disabled. Please ask the vendor to update the weblink."Why has this feature b

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Appinstaller not working

The appinstaller only works with appx it dosent work for msix packages

 

AppInstaller freezes

When I attempt to install via a certain .appinstaller file (https://download.mytobiidynavox.com/Snap/installers/distribute/Snap.WindowsUWP.OEM.appinstaller) after it has already been installed/uninstalled once, I see the status message "Getting the system
ready for install...", but it never progresses from there. I can't check/uncheck the "Launch when ready" checkbox either - appinstaller appears to be frozen.

If I restart my machine, it seems to allow it to work once. But if I uninstall the app and try the .appinstaller again, it freezes again. Event Viewer doesn't have anything interesting for when it freezes. The only event logged is:

"Started deployment AddFromAppInstallerOperation operation on a package with main parameter Snap.WindowsUWP.OEM.appinstaller and Options ForceTargetApplicationShutdownOption and RequestReputationCheck. See http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=235160 for
help diagnosing app deployment issues."

Other .appinstaller files seem to work fine with that process
(such as https://db-msixtest.azurewebsites.net/ContosoExpenses.Package.appinstaller).

 

Network Protocols Missing

"One of the fixes I had read during the insider program was to almost do what your suggestion was and that was deleting the winsock info in the registry. However, the MS response wasn't to install other info, just reinstall the TCP/IP protocol."

That was attempted here, but TCP/IP did not appear in the protocol list ... at least I did not spot it, so couldn't install it.