Why VS2022 use WiX v3 as Visual Studio 2022 Extension

Question

Can anyone explain why VS2022 default use WixV3 as extension instead of WixV4? The WixV3 project needs to use Wixv3.11 build tools, which is out of date and is being replaced by WixV4 and WixV5. What are correct steps If I want to create a WixV4 project in VS2022? Thanks

In VS2022 Extensios-manage extension tab, I used search online wix, only WixV3 shown. I expect WixV4 displayed as first choice, because VS2022's .NTE framework are 4.7,4.8, 6.0 and 8.0. I tried to install Wixv3.11.2 toolset(run wix311.exe) , error message "WIX Toolset requires .NET Framework 3.5.1 Windows feature to be enabled". I really don't want to go back so far.

Answer 1

For WiX v4 the VS2022 extension is named HeatWave for VS2022. By installing this extension you will get the choice to create v4 (and v5) projects as well as upgrade v3 projects.

The WiX documentation also gives a step by step guide to convert from v3 to v4 including the necessary installation steps. See WiX documentation.