ADO Tools - Installation Guide

How to install the signing certificate and the MSIX application package

Overview

ADO Tools is distributed as an MSIX package. Because the package is self-signed, Windows requires you to trust the signing certificate before it will allow the installation.

This is a one-time setup. Once the certificate is imported, you can install any version without repeating these steps.

Administrator Access RequiredImporting a certificate into the Local Machine store requires administrator privileges.

What's in the Package Folder

ADO_Tools_WinUI_1.0.x.0_x64/
    ADO_Tools_WinUI_1.0.x.0_x64.cer - Signing certificate
    ADO_Tools_WinUI_1.0.x.0_x64.msix - Application package
    Install ADO Tools.bat - Double-click to install
    QuickInstall.ps1 - Installer script
    Dependencies/ - Runtime packages
FilePurpose
.cerPublic signing certificate. Must be imported into the Trusted People store.
.msixApplication installer. Double-click to install once the certificate is trusted.
Install ADO Tools.batDouble-click to install. Requests admin and runs QuickInstall.ps1 automatically.
QuickInstall.ps1Imports the certificate, installs dependencies, and installs the app.
Dependencies/Windows App SDK runtime packages.

Installation Methods

Choose one of the three methods. Method A is fastest and recommended.

Method A - QuickInstall ScriptRecommended

Double-click Install ADO Tools.bat. It handles everything in one step.

  1. Open the package folder in File Explorer.
  2. Double-click Install ADO Tools.bat.
  3. If prompted by UAC, click Yes.
  4. The script shows progress: Step 1 (certificate), Step 2 (dependencies), Step 3 (app).
  5. ADO Tools appears in the Start menu. Press any key to close.
If the script won't runOpen PowerShell as Admin and run:
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File ".\QuickInstall.ps1"
Method B - Manual Certificate Import (GUI)Step-by-step

Step 1 - Open the Certificate

  1. Navigate to the package folder.
  2. Double-click the .cer file.

Step 2 - Import Wizard

  1. Click "Install Certificate...".
  2. Select Local Machine, click Next.
  3. Accept UAC if prompted.

Step 3 - Choose Certificate Store

  1. Select "Place all certificates in the following store".
  2. Click Browse..., select "Trusted People", click OK.
  3. Click Next.
ImportantSelect "Trusted People", NOT "Trusted Root Certification Authorities".

Step 4 - Finish

  1. Click Finish. Confirmation appears.

Step 5 - Install MSIX

  1. Double-click the .msix file.
  2. App Installer opens. Click Install.
  3. Find ADO Tools in the Start menu.
Method C - PowerShell CommandsAdvanced

Open PowerShell as Administrator:

# Navigate to the package folder
cd "C:\path\to\ADO_Tools_WinUI_1.0.5.0_x64"

# Import the certificate
Import-Certificate -FilePath ".\ADO_Tools_WinUI_1.0.5.0_x64.cer" -CertStoreLocation Cert:\LocalMachine\TrustedPeople

# Install dependencies
Add-AppxPackage -Path ".\Dependencies\x64\Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.8.msix"

# Install the app
Add-AppxPackage -Path ".\ADO_Tools_WinUI_1.0.5.0_x64.msix"

Verifying the Certificate

  1. Press Win+R, type certlm.msc, press Enter.
  2. Expand Trusted People > Certificates.
  3. Look for "CN=Kivanc.Karakas".

Updating

You do not need to import the certificate again for updates. Just double-click the new .msix.

Uninstalling

Remove Certificate (Optional)

Open certlm.msc, go to Trusted People > Certificates, right-click "CN=Kivanc.Karakas" and Delete.

Or via PowerShell (as Admin):

Get-ChildItem Cert:\LocalMachine\TrustedPeople | Where-Object { $_.Subject -like "*Kivanc*" } | Remove-Item

Troubleshooting

Install.ps1 window flashes and closes

Do not use Install.ps1. It has expired signatures. Use Install ADO Tools.bat instead.

"Execution of scripts is disabled"

"Install" button greyed out

"Access is denied"

Dependencies fail

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ADO Tools - Azure DevOps Productivity Suite
Contact: kivanc.karakas@bentley.com