Deploying Windows Metro Apps With Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) Without the Microsoft Store Installed

 To Deploy Windows Metro Apps in Config Manager, first download the desired app

Open a browser and navigate to the Microsoft Store: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/windows

search and locate the desired app



copy the URL from the address bar without the #activetab=pivot:overviewtab


ex: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-camera/9wzdncrfjbbg

convert the link to the actual Microsoft Store item using the website https://store.rg-adguard.net.

change the option RP to Retail then click the check mark


From the results, locate the latest version with the extension appxbundle

to download the app package, copy and paste the link and open it in a new browser tab (clicking for some reason usually doesn't work)

Create a package in MECM console and distribute it with the app

copy the application to a network share

Overview - Software Library - Applications - Packages
Click the Create Package icon
provide the package a name
check the box "This package contains source files" and browse to the network share where the app was saved
NEXT
click the radio button Do Not Create a Program
NEXT
NEXT
CLOSE

Right Click the newly created package
Click Distribute Content
proceed to deploy to all distribution servers

Create a Task Sequence to Install the App

Overview - Software Library - Operating Systems 
Expand Task Sequences
Click Apps
Click the Create Task Sequence icon
Name the task sequence

add Run Command Line

name: enable Client License Service

Command Line:  cmd /c sc config ClipSVC start = auto

on the options tab check "continue on error" 


add Run Command Line

name: Start Client License Service

Command Line:  net start ClipSVC

on the options tab check "continue on error" 


add Run Command Line

name: Enable Appx Deployment Service

Command Line:  ncmd /c sc config AppxSVC start=auto

on the options tab check "continue on error" 


add Run Command Line

name: Start Appx Deployment Service

Command Line:  net start AppxSVC

on the options tab check "continue on error" 


add Run Command Line

name: Copy App

Command Line: Xcopy ".\" "C:\Temp" /D /E /C /R /H /I /K /Y /Q

check the Package box

browse to the package created in the previous step


add Run Command Line

name: Install App

Command Line: cmd /c DISM.exe /Online /Add-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackagePath:C:\Temp\package name downloaded in step one /SkipLicense


add Run Command Line

name: Clean Up

Command Line: cmd /c del /q c:\temp\package name downloaded in step one 

Click OK

Deploy the Task Sequence

Right click the newly created task sequence and deploy it to the appropriate device collection
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