5 replies to this topic

[dorelsturm]

Hi,

I just want to know if this is possible:

I need to "install" some files in a directory (using a "special" MSI file) using this command line:

msiexec /I "mySpecial.msi" INSTALLDIR="myDirectory"

This MSI file should install the files in that directory and nothing else (e.g. no user interface). Nothing should appear in the Add/Remove programs and no "trace" should remain in the system that this MSI file was "installed" on this computer (e.g. MsiEnumProducts API should not find it).

What should I do to get this "feature"? What else should I do (except of not showing it into Add/Remove programs and in MsiEnumProducts)?

In other words I need to create an MSI file that can be installed any time and each time I "install" it I will get option "yes new installation, this product was never ever installed on this computer".

Thanks for your help.

[Glytzhkof]

This is indeed possible, but it sounds to me like you might want to use a non-MSI installer to achieve this since this would be simpler and you don't really need any MSI features to achieve this - on the contrary MSI will complicate this process.

[Glytzhkof]

Just to add to the above: I am not sure if MsiEnumProducts would still detect MSI files that have the ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT property set (setting this property will hide the MSI From add / remove programs).

[aarthi_m]

Why would someone need such a feature? If i choose a different install directory each time, then the same set of files will get copied multiple times on the system. Is'nt that a disadvantage?

[dorelsturm]

Hi,

Thanks for your replies.

Yes it may be a disadvantage but this is exactly what I want: the tool should pack somehow the files in a "database" (my MSI file) and each time I need I can "install" them in which directory I need (INSTALLDIR).

Back to the question: so if this is possible how do I make my MSI file ("product") to be invisible to "anything" in the system:
- no Add/Remove Programs (ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT may be the key)
- no MsiEnumProduct or similar should "see" it (I need to try it)
- when I "install" this twice on the same computer it should get all the time "yes new installation, this MSI "product" was never ever installed on this computer"

Thanks for your help

[Glytzhkof]

I know I shouldn't be answering this since you are probably preparing a terrible mess for yourself by implementing this as an MSI. It really should be done via a non-MSI setup. Still, the following hacks could potentially make this work for you with MSI:

* try to blank out the product code (not even sure if it will let you)
* set ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT to 1

I believe another way to do this (without blanking out the product GUID), is to remove the "RegisterProduct" standard action from the install sequence.