Convert exe to msi

[Sarah G.]

Hi,
I want to apply patch to all the win2000 pro workstations by using GPO, the
thing is that all the patches are exe file, how can I convert it to msi
file?

Thanks
sarah

 

[Dennis Schmidt]

Hi Sarah,

My name is Dennis Schmidt. Thank you for using the Microsoft Windows
Installer Newsgroups.

I do not recommend attempting to install patches using an .msi file. The
reason for this is that the .exe files perform many checks and implement
changes that would not be captured in an .msi package. Additionally, most
patches contain Windows core files that are under file protection and could
not be replaced during the installation.

I hope this helps! If you have additional questions on this topic, please
reply to this posting.

Need quick answers to questions like these? The Microsoft Knowledge Base
provides a wealth of information that you can use to troubleshoot a problem
or answer a question! It's located at
http://support.microsoft.com/support/c.asp?M=F>.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
You assume all risk for your use. © 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights
reserved.

Regards,
Dennis Schmidt
Microsoft Support

 

[Mats White]

Hi Dennis. This is an issue that I'm also wrestling with. If MS doesn't
recommend that .msi files be used to install patches, what is the preferred
installation method in a network environment? Thanks.

-mats

 

[Martin Resch]

Hi Dennis. This is an issue that I'm also wrestling with. If MS doesn't
recommend that .msi files be used to install patches, what is the preferred
installation method in a network environment? Thanks.

-mats

use silent/unattended installation by the /u /q -switch
in startup-skrip (NOT login, because you need system-rights)
ie \\mysrv\myshare\windows2000-kb823980-x86-deu.exe /u /q
will work fine


Martin

 

[Brendon Rogers]

Software Update Services

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/windowsupdate/sus/default.asp

 

[John]

you will need a third party application such as

wise
installshield
orca
activeinstall

there are many others..

but my next question i guess would be why ?

you could capture them all and deliver the resultant
package but hotfixes already have a number of deployment
methods available already.

JOhn

 

[shaggy]

Hey

But hey I just want to convert .exe files to .msi packages so end users can load these programs in Add / Remove Programs in a Network enviroment. I need to put them in group policy but it will only use MSI packages.

Can you help?

 

[chazman]

I also have this same problem. I have a domain system in my home running Windows 2000 Advanced Server, but i cant remotely install anything unless it is a .MSI file. Where can I convert my .EXE files into a .MSI?

 

[hekurank]

Hi,
Can someone helping me about Convert exe to msi files for GPO in Win 2003 Server. If someone now a software or have it so I need it to download.

 

[genprinciple]

Convert .exe to msi for free

I spent a bit of time seeking a solution for this same problem and I am a little late for yours. I saw a person recommend a tool that costs 3 grand. After I finished laughing my *** off at him, I remembered that I installed a free program called 7zip. I right clicked the .exe file and extracted the contents into a folder and viola! There was my msi file ready for deployment and completely free of charge. This may not work on all .exe files if the file does not have an msi file archived inside of it.