fleet/changes/43484-msi-docker-on-arm64
Scott Gress df44a9342e
Use Docker as default WiX runtime on macOS arm64 (#43715)
<!-- Add the related story/sub-task/bug number, like Resolves #123, or
remove if NA -->
**Related issue:** Resolves #43484

# Details

Apple Silicon Macs were being forced down the Wine+local-wix-dir path
because the fleetdm/wix:latest image was deemed unreliable on arm64 in
Jan 2024. Docker Desktop's amd64 emulation has matured since -- the
image builds both amd64 and arm64 MSIs on arm64 macOS successfully. This
PR:

- Drops the arm64-forces-Wine guard in BuildMSI so the Docker path is
the default on every macOS arch when --local-wix-dir isn't provided.
- Drops the macOS "Install wine and wix" + "Build MSI on macOS (using
local Wix)" CI steps. The ubuntu-latest matrix entry already exercises
the Docker path, and the install-wine.sh flow is brittle against Gcenx
release churn and homebrew-cask deprecation.
- Updates the install-wine.sh script to fail and output a message
indicating that Docker should be used, or else Wine installed manually.
```
============================================================
This script no longer installs Wine.
============================================================

Wine is no longer required to build Windows (.msi) packages on macOS.
fleetctl package now uses Docker by default on all macOS architectures.

RECOMMENDED: install Docker Desktop
  https://docs.docker.com/get-docker

If you cannot use Docker and still need to build MSIs with Wine on macOS
see the upstream WineHQ wiki for installation instructions:
  https://gitlab.winehq.org/wine/wine/-/wikis/MacOS

Automatic Wine installation via Homebrew is no longer attempted here
because the wine-stable cask is deprecated and upstream Wine releases
have caused repeated breakage.
```
- Retains the wix auto-download helper (downloadAndExtractZip,
extractZipFile, wixDownload) for backwards-compatibility when Docker
isn't detected, with a deprecation warning.

The Wine + --local-wix-dir path remains available for macOS users who
opt into it, but is no longer documented. See #43484.

# Checklist for submitter

If some of the following don't apply, delete the relevant line.

- [X] Changes file added for user-visible changes in `changes/`,
`orbit/changes/` or `ee/fleetd-chrome/changes`.
See [Changes
files](https://github.com/fleetdm/fleet/blob/main/docs/Contributing/guides/committing-changes.md#changes-files)
for more information.

## Testing

- [X] Added/updated automated tests
- Dropped MacOS packaging tests. The Ubuntu test already exercises the
Docker path that MacOS now uses.
- [X] QA'd all new/changed functionality manually
  - Built and installed both amd64 and arm64 .msi packages successfully

<!-- This is an auto-generated comment: release notes by coderabbit.ai
-->
## Summary by CodeRabbit

* **New Features**
* MSI packages on macOS now build using Docker by default, removing the
Wine dependency.

* **Documentation**
* Updated macOS setup guidance: Docker Desktop is now required for MSI
packaging instead of Wine.

* **Chores**
* Simplified Wine-related helper scripts and removed outdated
installation logic.
<!-- end of auto-generated comment: release notes by coderabbit.ai -->
2026-04-21 10:53:46 -05:00

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* Use Docker as the default WiX runtime on macOS (including Apple Silicon) when generating `.msi` packages via `fleetctl package`. Wine is no longer required on macOS for the default path.