How to create a MSI file programmatically

  • Thread starter Thread starter Thomas Jespersen
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Thomas Jespersen

Hello

I want to create a MSI file programmatically.

Do you know of any third party .NET component which can help me with that?

I'm going to use it like a self extracting zip. So it is not for a VS.NET
setup project. Zip files will not do because these shall be distributed via
System Management Server (SMS).

Thomas
 
Hello Sudhakar

Well... as I wrote, this is not for building .NET solutions, so this will
not do.

What I'm after is a way to create a MSI file programmatically from a Windows
Services. Pt. are we creating Self-Extracting Zip files using a component
called Xceed Zip For .NET 2.0, to create self-installing personalized Word
Templates.

Our customer has a SMS (System Management Server), which the can push MSI
packages to users when the user logos on to a Windows Domain. So we want to
generate Personalized MSI packages with Word Templates, so that when the
user logon to there system, any new Word Templates will automatically be
installed.

A program which can convert a EXE to a MSI file will also do.

Thomas
 
Hi Thomas,

I think Wix (Windows Installer XML) can do the job. It works for non-.Net
solutions as well:

Windows Installer XML (WiX) toolset
http://sourceforge.net/projects/wix

On the other hand, Windows Installer also provides some COM automation
interfaces and Win32APIs, so that you can manipulate the MSI package
programmatically:

Windows Installer Scripting Examples
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/w
indows_installer_scripting_examples.asp

Automation Interface
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/a
utomation_interface.asp

Installer Functions
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/i
nstaller_functions.asp

However, to use them, you need to have some knowledge on the Windows
Installer technology. Creating a MSI from scratch can also be very tedious.
I would recommend that you try Wix.

Regards,

Felix Wang
Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
This posting is provided "as is" with no warranties and confers no rights.
 
Hi Thomas,

Did Felix' suggestion make sense to the issue? If you need more
information, please feel free to let us know.

Luke
 
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