7 replies to this topic

[Panarchy]

Hello

Trying to learn how to make a nice, clean, simple MSI installer.

Please give me an example of MSI source which;

- Extracts files to a multiple directories (eg sub-directories)
- Has custom images in use where-ever possible
- Includes a license agreement

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

[VBScab]

Try any Office 2003 MSI. Whilst using the word "clean" to describe it would be pusshing the boundaries somewhat, it does have everything you want.

[Panarchy]

Would you please be so kind as to give me the code?

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

PS: Or do you mean for me to use an MSI2XML converter? If so, can you please recommend to me a much smaller .msi (one that does a lot less... if you know what I mean)

Thanks

[VBScab]

Er...the code to what? I don't understand.

[Stefan Krueger]

Which tool are you using to build your MSIs? It may have a wizard that walks you thought the steps of creating a simple MSI package. Alternatively you can get any .msi file and open it in yout tool (most tools can import .msi files), or use a conversion tool like msi2xml. But in this case you would essentially be looking at a database dump, which is not what I would recommend to start learning MSI.

[Panarchy]

Well I'd be happy to learn the basics, within XML.

So if you could show me a very basic XML file (eg on which installs a portable program... and a desktop shortcut) I'd appreciate it.

I'd like to use only free software to do this (free for personal and corporate).

My aim, apart from having the knowledge to create MSI's in general, is to create an MSI which will replace Notepad with Notepad2.

Please help me with my endeavor.

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

[VBScab]

It sounds like you're referring to Wix, which is used to build MSIs from an XML file. From what I remember from when I first looked at years ago, Wix is thoroughly documented in its help files. The entire toolset can be downloaded from SourceForge.net. I seem to recall that there's a Wix forum somewhere, too.

I can also tell you that the poster 'EdT' on the Altiris Wise Packaging forum is a long-time user of Wix. I think he does all his MSIs that way.

[Panarchy]

Thanks.

https://www-secure.s...-install-script