How to create a MSI file programmatically

[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

 

[Guest]

Hi

Yes, you can use Wix (Windows Installer XML) to automate your build process
to create MSI file.

http://blogs.msdn.com/robmen/archive/2004/04/05/107709.aspx

otherwise Nant has MSITask to create MSI file for you as a part of your
build process.

http://nant.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/MSITask

HTH
Sudhakar Sadasivuni
Microsoft .NET MVP | MCSD
IB@ http://one.mvpblog.com
MyUG : http://www.mugh.net

 

[Thomas Jespersen]

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

 

[Felix Wang]

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.

 

[[MSFT]]

Hi Thomas,

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

Luke