Why does VS 2019 append "_Test" to the folder name when I create .msix packages

Question

I am creating an .msix package from VS 2019. The application being packaged is a .NET Core 3.1 WFP desktop app.

The package (.msixbundle) executes correctly and is named correctly.

However, the folder that the package is placed always has a "_Test" appended (suffix) to the end of the folder it is located in. If I publish the package to a web server or file share there will be an accumulation of folders ending in "_Test". This occurs regardless of whether I'm creating a debug or release version.

I have search the Solution for the word Test but it's not there. I've created simple generic apps and the "_Test" suffix is always present on the folder names of the packages.

Where does this come from?

Demello

Duplicate #63508578 – Ululate

@Bogdan has a solution for you, but to answer the question "why?" -- VS assumes that you want to ship your final product through the Microsoft Store, so if you build packages not for the Store they "must" be for testing. This was originally true in Windows 8, but now you can also sideload them by default. – Quart

Not surprised. But really! – Demello

Answer 1

Usually msix package append this kind of suffix due you are publishing in debug mode.

dotnet publish --framework:net7.0-windows10.0.19041.0 --configuration:debug

Publish as release and it disappear.

dotnet publish --framework:net7.0-windows10.0.19041.0 --configuration:release

Wirra