Is it possible to build a portable executable?

[Kasea]

Like the title says, is it possible to build a portable executable using RNW?

I am aware you can make a standalone one where you create a APPX package, but I would much rather prefer a portable executable. Is this possible?

[chrisglein]

RNW apps are UWP apps by default. There are some considerations to that for sure (https://microsoft.github.io/react-native-windows/docs/native-code#win32-desktop-apps-vs-rnw-apps), including the fact that UWP apps aren't single EXEs and have a totally different packaging model.

It's possible to add RNW to a classic Win32 app in an "island". You can find some info on that here: microsoft/react-native-windows-samples#540. There may be additional considerations if you're looking to make a single file EXE with everything bundled together, not sure about that.

[AlbertShown]

if you're looking to make a single file EXE with everything bundled together, not sure about that.

Using WebUI, you can make a full portable single file EXE, around 1 MB.

[raffaeler]

@chrisglein This is a prescriptive requirement for many large customers of mine.
They banned internally the MS Store and do not allow UWP/Windows Apps to be installed on their clients.
Currently they are deploying with either msi packages or Clickonce.

Is there any hope to see classic deployment? This is a huge restriction that won't ever be accepted (they are more willing to convert to a web application rather than changing this decision).