The overall concept of MSI is that there is a 1:1 mapping between a component GUID (unique identifier) and an absolute path (install location / key path). The full path, including file name if any. See update below for a new Wix feature to deal auto-magically with this. Rob Mensching (WiX author): Windows Installer Component … Read more
One Line Logging How-to: Install Your.msi and create a verbose log file. More below. msiexec.exe /i C:\Path\Your.msi /L*v C:\Your.log From the MSI SDK: “You can enable verbose logging on the user’s computer by using Command Line Options, the MsiLogging property, Logging policy, MsiEnableLog, and EnableLog method“. Short Answer: So add the property MsiLogging property to … Read more
Short Version: Lots of answers already – I’ll primarily just add some links to existing answers. Here is a previous short answer of mine on the topic. Higher “glanceability”: The above answer features a simpler format with a list view of the most important current deployment tools. In a rush? Test these, chose one. Below … Read more
For upgrade code retrieval: How can I find the Upgrade Code for an installed MSI file? (or use the html table export script – shown below in section 2) Short Version The information below has grown considerably over time and may have become a little too elaborate. How to get product codes quickly? (four approaches): … Read more
Express Options: Uninstall by Product GUID: (find product GUID) – section 3 below for logging. There is also: MSI logging in depth here: msiexec.exe /x {11111111-1111-1111-1111-11111111111X} Uninstall by MSI file: msiexec.exe /x “c:\filename.msi” Express Interactive: Right click MSI file in Windows Explorer and select “Uninstall”. There are many ways to uninstall an MSI package. The … Read more
Microsoft Orca: If you have Visual Studio installed, try searching for Orca-x86_en-us.msi – under Program Files (x86) – and install it. Then find Orca in the start menu. Current path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\bin\10.0.17763.0\x86 Change version numbers as appropriate About MSI Files Roughly speaking MSI files are COM-structured storage files – essentially a file system … Read more
InstallUtil.exe: As others have stated, InstallUtil.exe is intended for development use only, not for final distribution of your service. MSI: The normal way to deploy services in the fashion you describe (with a proper entry in add/remove programs) would be to use an MSI installer created using a tool designed to help you do so … Read more
Ad-Hoc: How do I avoid common design flaws in my WiX / MSI deployment solution? a very messy and less-than-ideal ad-hoc summary of common problems found in MSI files. Not great. Better than nothing? The stuff that is not in the books (too messy). Important Topic: How do I avoid distributing sensitive information in my … Read more