Installing Python install manager MSIX for all users

[zooba]

There's a lack of clear information online about how best to install an MSIX for all users of a machine, and a number of approaches that seem to half work.

This issue is to attract discussion until we can figure out the best ways and document them.

[zooba]

So far I believe (but haven't tested at scale) that the best way to do this is to create a Scheduled Task that runs for all users at login that launches:

C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -Command Add-AppxPackage <path to MSIX>

Or alternatively (without needing a pre-downloaded MSIX):

C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -Command Add-AppxPackage -AppInstallerFile https://www.python.org/ftp/python/pymanager/pymanager.appinstaller

It unfortunately pops up a command window briefly, but otherwise it works best for ensuring all the aliases are set correctly and it's ready for the user to use. It doesn't seem to have any problems running again if it's already installed, and won't downgrade (though it will fail in this case).

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A close second approach so far is the Add-AppxProvisionedPackage PowerShell command, which when run as admin with an MSIX file, will provision the package and enable auto-install for all users next time they log in:

Add-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackagePath python-manager-25.0.msix

Unfortunately it seems to have a bug right now where it doesn't correctly replace existing python.exe and python3.exe aliases, even though it reports that they've been updated. Users don't get their first-run experience in this model (unless they do py install --configure) and so won't find out. The other aliases seem to be okay.

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Any other approaches? Has anyone tried using any of the management/deployment tools?