[Regression] Resolving metadata fails when referencing a C++/WinRT project from a C# UWP project

[jbrianceau]

Original issue opened by @matthew4850 in dotnet/msbuild#5412

Since CppWinRT nuget version 2.0.191023.3, generating the appxbundle of C# UWP project consuming a CppWinRT component fails because of a Metadata file [path] could not be found error.

See dotnet/msbuild#5412 for further details and a sample solution to repro the issue.

Note: here are the results using different releases of CppWinRT nuget:

CppWinRT nuget release	Issue does repro?
Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.191018.6	No
Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.191023.3	Yes
Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.200316.3	Yes
Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.201113.7 (current latest release)	Yes

[kennykerr]

Thanks Julien, unfortunately I don't have any experience with msbuild. Build and package management with msbuild/nuget has been a longstanding problem. I recently reverted all the changes to msbuild support in an attempt to stabilize a bit. If someone from the msbuild team would like to contribute a fix I'd be happy to look at it. Otherwise, there isn't much I can do. @jlaanstra is trying to fix things but that's not his day job either and without serious review by the msbuild team I'm not sure we can accept that either.

[raffaeler]

@jbrianceau I am currently using:

• CppWinRT project (compile for desktop removing <AppContainerApplication>false</AppContainerApplication>): version 2.0.201113.7
• Projection assembly (.NET 5.0) using Microsoft.Windows.CsWinRT version 1.1.0
• C# Console client (.NET 5.0)

This solution compiles and works correctly.

[jbrianceau]

For the record, fix is available in the Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.201217.4 nuget release.