I’m working with my schools IT team to add Shapr3D to our Microsoft Company Portal. Unfortunately, they aren’t able to use the .appinstaller version and need a .exe or .msi version of the installer for this to work.
I haven’t been able to find a version of the installer that fits these requirements. Does anyone know if there is an installer for Shapr3D that would meet these requirements or a way of getting the .appinstaller file to work with Company Portal? We aren’t able to individual installs on student laptops so Company Portal is the only way for us to roll software out to students.
Shapr3D for Windows can only be installed via the Microsoft Store or through our standalone installer, which uses the App Installer system.
Shapr3D is built on a modern security architecture and runs in an app container (its own secure sandbox), ensuring it cannot access other parts of your system. This approach protects your data. We understand this isn’t how most applications are designed or distributed, but we believe it’s the right approach.
The App Installer also enables a secure and streamlined update process. We release updates frequently and are committed to ensuring all users are running the latest version of Shapr3D.
Alternative installation methods would compromise either security or our ability to deliver automatic updates. For these reasons, we only offer custom deployment options to enterprise customers with specific security and update management requirements.
But an .appinstaller is NOT an offline installer at all. It’s just a 2.4KB bootstrap file that pulls the installation from the internet. This means you can’t archive the installer, it wont work if you don’t have internet access, updates can be forced upon you and even have the app removed or disabled at any point as it’s tethered to the internet.
You’ve been saying for 2 years you’d provide an offline installer and it’s still not available?
You’re right that the .appinstaller is not a traditional offline installer.
Keeping users on the latest version is a core part of how we build and deliver Shapr3D. We release improvements frequently, and it’s important that most users receive them as soon as they’re available. This helps us avoid the long update cycles and version fragmentation common with traditional desktop software. It also supports seamless work across platforms, which is important for a large portion of our users.
A traditional offline installer would require a different distribution model. That would weaken some of our security guarantees and lead to greater version fragmentation, creating more compatibility and support issues for users.
I can understand that thinking, but it ultimately means we aren’t able to use your product at our school site which is unfortunate as I can see numerous applications for it within and across our Arts program.
You should be giving users the choice of sticking on certain versions of the software if they choose and be able to install without internet access too. There’s other issues too that are avoided with a ‘proper’ offline installer.
On a more cynical note as many people hate software tied to the internet, subscription models etc, this leaves the door open to forced updates that users might dislike. Like subscription models being forced onto users.
I’ve been a SSE for 30 years at places like IBM, your comment about different distribution models ‘weakening your security and increase fragmentation’ is really just no true at all. 1000’s of other companies have no issues with offline installers, tiny to huge. This really is a poor excuse.
I’m 100% sure you know all of this already but want to remain in control by holding the reigns via the internet. This absolutely will discourage people from using your software as it absolutely leaves the door open to forcing people onto a subscription model, no matter what your assurances are now.
I hope you change your mind.
