microsoft / microsoft/WindowsAppSDK

Wrong app sdk version number reported if another application directory with an older app sdk is added to PATH

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area-VersionInfo bug needs-triage
Dominant language
C++
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Description

### Describe the bug

The Microsoft.Windows.ApplicationModel.WindowsAppRuntime.ReleaseInfo api reports the wrong version number in the following scenario:

- The app is unpackaged and not self-contained
- Another application (example: powertoys) is installed and its installation directory is added to the PATH variable and it contains a copy of the app sdk

In this case Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.Insights.Resource.dll is loaded from the directory of the other installed application and the wrong version number is reported.

### Steps to reproduce the bug

1. Install powertoys
2. Create an unpackaged (not self-contained) app sdk application
3. Check the return value of Microsoft.Windows.ApplicationModel.WindowsAppRuntime.ReleaseInfo

### Expected behavior

The app sdk version number should not be influenced by installing another (unrelated) application.

### Screenshots

_No response_

### NuGet package version

Windows App SDK 1.8.2: 1.8.251003001

### Packaging type

Unpackaged

### Windows version

Windows 11 version 24H2 (26100, June 2025 Update)

### IDE

Visual Studio 2022

### Additional context

_No response_

Contributor guide

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First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start with the Microsoft.Windows.ApplicationModel.WindowsAppRuntime.ReleaseInfo API and Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.Insights.Resource.dll loading behavior. Reproduce the issue using the listed unpackaged, non-self-contained setup with PowerToys on PATH; done means the reported Windows App SDK version is unaffected by the other application's directory.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
desktop
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
38/100

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