microsoft / microsoft/WindowsAppSDK

Deploy will not copy dlls that vcpkg generates if you don't edit code related to cpp

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area-DeveloperTools needs-triage
Dominant language
C++
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Forks
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Avg merge
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Merged PRs (30d)
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Description

### Describe the bug

The common situation is that you only modify xaml page code, which won't trigger user code compilation.

### Steps to reproduce the bug

A winui C++ project.
Enable vcpkg integration.
Use manifest mode.
Add a port.
Start debugging. (or directly trigger deploy by right click the project and deploy)
Stop debugging and modify a xaml file.
Begin debug or deploy.
It will show a dll missing dialog. Because the dlls didn't copy to the AppX folder in the output directory.

### Expected behavior

_No response_

### Screenshots

_No response_

### NuGet package version

1.8.260317003

### Packaging type

Packaged (MSIX)

### Windows version

Insider Build (xxxxx)

### IDE

_No response_

### Additional context

VS 2026
You can directly use my repository to reproduce.
https://github.com/hoshiizumiya/opennet

Contributor guide

No contributing guide indexed for this repository

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 by reproducing the issue with the linked opennet repository: use a packaged WinUI C++ project with vcpkg manifest mode, deploy once, modify only a XAML file, and deploy again. Investigate the deployment behavior after XAML-only changes. Done means vcpkg-generated DLLs are copied into the AppX output directory and debugging or deployment no longer shows a missing-DLL dialog.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
build-system, desktop
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
48/100

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