APPXMANIFEST File

What are APPXMANIFEST files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an APPXMANIFEST file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your APPXMANIFEST files.

What is an APPXMANIFEST file?

An .APPXMANIFEST file is a Windows 8 Appx Package Manifest file.

The Windows 8 Appx Package Manifest defines the contents and behavior of a Windows Store app package. It is an XML file created when building a Windows 8 "Metro-style" (WinRT) app. The manifest declares identity information, visual assets, required OS versions, supported languages, and how the app should appear and run on Windows.

When an app project is packaged for deployment, Microsoft's tools produce this manifest. It sits inside the app package (an .appx) and is read by the Windows system when installing or updating the app. The manifest provides metadata: the app's name and publisher, what versions of Windows it supports, tile logos and splash screens, foreground/background tile elements, resource languages, prerequisites, application elements (entry points), properties like publisher display name and description, among others.

The internal structure begins with an XML declaration (<?xml version="1.0" encoding="…">) and a root <Package> element using the Appx manifest schema namespace. Key child elements include <Identity>, <Properties>, <Applications>, <Resources>, <Prerequisites>. Fields such as PublisherDisplayName, DefaultTile, ForegroundText, VisualElements, SplashScreen, OSMinVersion and OSMaxVersionTested are defined via these elements. The file signature starts with the XML header at byte offset 0 and contains many schema strings like SCHEMAS.MICROSOFT.COM and XMLNAMES, matching identifiers such as IDENTITY, APPLICATIONS, PROPERTIES, LOGO, LANGUAGE, DESCRIPTION, VISUALELEMENTS, etc.

How to open APPXMANIFEST files

Important: Different programs may use files with the APPXMANIFEST file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your APPXMANIFEST file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the app ourselves yet, our users have suggested a single APPXMANIFEST opener which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of APPXMANIFEST files. Remember, different programs may use APPXMANIFEST files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

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