"Dependencies" folder missing when generating msixbundle

[hmg1000]

Describe the bug

If I create a new "WinUI blank App (Packaged)" and generate an msixbundle via "Create App Packages..." (by setting "Generate app bundle" to "Always") the "Dependencies"-folder containing "Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.8.msix" for the target platforms is missing. When using a packaging project or setting "Generate app bundle" to "Never" the "Dependencies"-folder in the output location exists as expected

Steps to reproduce the bug

1. Create new WinUI-App using the template "WinUI blank App (Packaged)"
2. Select "Create App Packages..." in the context menu of the project
3. On the page "Select and configure packages" select "Always" for "Generate app bundle"
4. Click on create

Expected behavior

There should be a "Dependencies" folder in the output location containing Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.8.msix" for all target platforms

Screenshots

No response

NuGet package version

Windows App SDK 1.8.4: 1.8.260101001

Packaging type

Packaged (MSIX)

Windows version

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

IDE

Visual Studio 2022

Additional context

No response

[ssparach]

Thank you for taking the time to report this. Could you please let us know whether this behavior was present in a previous release, or if it appears to be a regression specific to version 1.8.4?
If it is a regression, submitting feedback through the Visual Studio Developer Community helps ensure it is being tracked appropriately. Please share the link to the feedback here as well. We’ll plan to close this item once it’s being tracked there to keep everything in one place.