Wix msi
Author: m | 2025-04-23
Wix installer with more MSI. How to do it? 1. MSI Installation issue. 4. Change WIX .exe installer Icon. 7. Using Wix to generate an MSI. 18. How to create .msi installer with WiX. 3. Wix change exe installer icon. 1. msiexec /a deploying .msi Converts a Windows Installer database back into source code. wix msi inscribe: Updates MSI database with cabinet signature information. wix msi transform: Creates an MST transform file. wix msi validate: Validates MSI database using standard or custom ICEs. wix msi decompile subcommand {msidecompile}
Create MSI with WIX - HackTricks
ProblemPython is one of the most popular programming languages and opens the door to solving many business problems. However, some end users may have difficulty running Python scripts (Marin, 2021). For example, business users who use the Windows operating system may not have Python installed or know how to run Python scripts from a command prompt. Some tools like “PyInstaller” and “Auto PY to EXE” can convert Python scripts into executables. Nevertheless, distributing these executables to users still seems to be a complicated installation process, which can be a barrier to entry for these users (Rossant, 2013). Since the Windows installer (alternatively known as Microsoft installer or MSI) enables regular Windows users to install and configure applications efficiently, we want to create an MSI installer from a Python application.SolutionWe can build an MSI installer from a Python application using Visual Studio 2022 (Microsoft, 2023) and WiX Toolset V3 (WiX, 2023). WiX (i.e., Windows Installer XML), an accessible, open-source XML markup, makes the Windows Installer technology simple (Shah, 2023). When using WiX to create an MSI, we can register the application with the “Programs and Features” tool. We can also provide users with installation instructions on wizard-style dialogs.The article describes the steps to create an MSI for a Python application. After obtaining the “WiX Toolset v3.11.2” from GitHub, we install the “WiX v3 – Visual Studio 2022 Extension” to build integration with WiX v3 in Visual Studio. We can get the extension from the Visual Studio Marketplace. We then create a simple WiX setup project for demonstration purposes, which installs several documents on a target machine. Next, we explore some WiX XML elements in the WiX source file.After successfully installing the MSI to a target machine, we improve on this simple project. We first add a user-friendly wizard. We then create shortcuts. Next, we use the heat.exe tool to harvest files. Furthermore, we show how to use the HeatDirectory to integrate the heat.exe tool into the WiX setup project.We use Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition to create WiX setup projects and build MSI files. The development environment is Windows 10. Wix installer with more MSI. How to do it? 1. MSI Installation issue. 4. Change WIX .exe installer Icon. 7. Using Wix to generate an MSI. 18. How to create .msi installer with WiX. 3. Wix change exe installer icon. 1. msiexec /a deploying .msi Converts a Windows Installer database back into source code. wix msi inscribe: Updates MSI database with cabinet signature information. wix msi transform: Creates an MST transform file. wix msi validate: Validates MSI database using standard or custom ICEs. wix msi decompile subcommand {msidecompile} Wix/MSI - How to avoid installing same MSI twice. 1. WIX Installer upgrade. 7. WiX Bundle upgrade: a new version of MSI is installed before the old version is removed. 3. Wix Installer Upgrade without uninstall. 0. Properly install a higher version MSI in WIX. 1. Versus; WiX Toolset; How to create an MSI installer with WiX ; How to create an MSI installer with WiX . Written by Renato Ivanescu June 20th, 2025 5min read. The MSI Versus; WiX Toolset; How to create an MSI installer with WiX ; How to create an MSI installer with WiX . Written by Renato Ivanescu June 20th, 2025 5min read. The MSI Wix MSI Doesn't Launch. 1. Get Install Location in Wix and write in Registry. 18. How to create .msi installer with WiX. 0. Wix Toolset install C 2025 Redistributable. 1. WiX installer includes dll into msi. 5. WIX merge c runtime. 1. Wix installer package containing a C Builder Windows service. 1. How to Create a Desktop Shortcut using WiX Toolset; How to Use WiX MSI to Update an Installed Application; How to correctly set the install folder in Wix; WiX Toolset Visual Studio Extension; How to create a custom dialog in WiX for user input; How to create an MSI installer with WiX ; How to use WIX MSI to do a silent install or uninstall of a Pro 10.0 . When creating WiX elements, we used the Online GUID/UUID Generator( to generate GUIDs. After building an MSI, we installed the installer on Windows 10 home .Click here to download the complete source code.1 – Creating a Simple MSIWe produce a simple MSI to demonstrate creating and building a WiX setup project in Visual Studio 2022. First, we make up an application containing seven PDF files, three in a subfolder. Figure 1 illustrates the application folder structure. The MSI should be able to install these files to a target machine. The folder on the target machine should have the same structure as the one shown in this figure. Figure 1 The Application Folder Structure1.1 Setting Up the Development EnvironmentWhen landing on the web page we can find installers for WiX Toolset build tools (WiX v3.11.2) and the WiX v3 – Visual Studio 2022 Extension, as shown in Figure 2. If the development environment does not have these WiX tools installed, we should download and install these packages. Figure 2 The Web Page for Downloading the WiX ToolsThe tool “Orca.exe” is a database table editor for creating and editing Windows Installer packages. This tool is found in the Windows SDK Components for Windows Installer Developers, available at After installing the Windows SDK, we locate the installer at “C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\bin\10.0.22000.0\x86\Orca-x86_en-us.msi” in our development environment. Next, we double-click the MSI file to install Orca.exe. After the successful installation, we can see the “Edit with Orca” in the context menu, as shown in Figure 3, when right-clicking any MSI file. Figure 3 The “Edit with Orca” Menu Item in the Context Menu1.2 Creating a Setup Project for WiX v3We place all source documents into the “C:\temp” folder. We want to pack all documents in the “C:\temp\MSSQLTips.com” folder into an MSI file. First, open Visual Studio 2022 and select “Create a new project” in the startup screen. Next, select the “Setup Project for WiX v3” template from the project template list. We name the project “MSSQLTips_Document” and click on the “Create” button to create the project. This procedure creates a WiXComments
ProblemPython is one of the most popular programming languages and opens the door to solving many business problems. However, some end users may have difficulty running Python scripts (Marin, 2021). For example, business users who use the Windows operating system may not have Python installed or know how to run Python scripts from a command prompt. Some tools like “PyInstaller” and “Auto PY to EXE” can convert Python scripts into executables. Nevertheless, distributing these executables to users still seems to be a complicated installation process, which can be a barrier to entry for these users (Rossant, 2013). Since the Windows installer (alternatively known as Microsoft installer or MSI) enables regular Windows users to install and configure applications efficiently, we want to create an MSI installer from a Python application.SolutionWe can build an MSI installer from a Python application using Visual Studio 2022 (Microsoft, 2023) and WiX Toolset V3 (WiX, 2023). WiX (i.e., Windows Installer XML), an accessible, open-source XML markup, makes the Windows Installer technology simple (Shah, 2023). When using WiX to create an MSI, we can register the application with the “Programs and Features” tool. We can also provide users with installation instructions on wizard-style dialogs.The article describes the steps to create an MSI for a Python application. After obtaining the “WiX Toolset v3.11.2” from GitHub, we install the “WiX v3 – Visual Studio 2022 Extension” to build integration with WiX v3 in Visual Studio. We can get the extension from the Visual Studio Marketplace. We then create a simple WiX setup project for demonstration purposes, which installs several documents on a target machine. Next, we explore some WiX XML elements in the WiX source file.After successfully installing the MSI to a target machine, we improve on this simple project. We first add a user-friendly wizard. We then create shortcuts. Next, we use the heat.exe tool to harvest files. Furthermore, we show how to use the HeatDirectory to integrate the heat.exe tool into the WiX setup project.We use Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition to create WiX setup projects and build MSI files. The development environment is Windows 10
2025-04-14Pro 10.0 . When creating WiX elements, we used the Online GUID/UUID Generator( to generate GUIDs. After building an MSI, we installed the installer on Windows 10 home .Click here to download the complete source code.1 – Creating a Simple MSIWe produce a simple MSI to demonstrate creating and building a WiX setup project in Visual Studio 2022. First, we make up an application containing seven PDF files, three in a subfolder. Figure 1 illustrates the application folder structure. The MSI should be able to install these files to a target machine. The folder on the target machine should have the same structure as the one shown in this figure. Figure 1 The Application Folder Structure1.1 Setting Up the Development EnvironmentWhen landing on the web page we can find installers for WiX Toolset build tools (WiX v3.11.2) and the WiX v3 – Visual Studio 2022 Extension, as shown in Figure 2. If the development environment does not have these WiX tools installed, we should download and install these packages. Figure 2 The Web Page for Downloading the WiX ToolsThe tool “Orca.exe” is a database table editor for creating and editing Windows Installer packages. This tool is found in the Windows SDK Components for Windows Installer Developers, available at After installing the Windows SDK, we locate the installer at “C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\bin\10.0.22000.0\x86\Orca-x86_en-us.msi” in our development environment. Next, we double-click the MSI file to install Orca.exe. After the successful installation, we can see the “Edit with Orca” in the context menu, as shown in Figure 3, when right-clicking any MSI file. Figure 3 The “Edit with Orca” Menu Item in the Context Menu1.2 Creating a Setup Project for WiX v3We place all source documents into the “C:\temp” folder. We want to pack all documents in the “C:\temp\MSSQLTips.com” folder into an MSI file. First, open Visual Studio 2022 and select “Create a new project” in the startup screen. Next, select the “Setup Project for WiX v3” template from the project template list. We name the project “MSSQLTips_Document” and click on the “Create” button to create the project. This procedure creates a WiX
2025-04-07Input/confirmation during installation, e.g. pressing the “Next†button.--helpNoDisplays the help text.--ISOLinkNoURL to a Drive Eraser image.--languageYesThe language to be used in the generated MSI installer.--launchPreInstallNoRun PreInstall once the MSI installation completes.--preInstallDirNoThe root directory of the PreInstall package. This argument is only necessary when running the PreInstallPackageGenerator.exe from anywhere else other than the PreInstall package root directory (where the PreInstallPackageGenerator.exe is located by default).--restoreBootOrderNoRestore the boot order (i.e. undo any boot changes done by previous PreInstall runs).--wixDirYesThe location of the Wix installation.Example use cases:Use caseCommandManually install PreInstall without running itPreInstallPackageGenerator.exe --architecture win32 --language en --wixDir "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\WixEdit\\wix-3.0.5419.0"Automatically install PreInstall PreInstallPackageGenerator.exe --architecture win32 --autoXML --language en --wixDir "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\WixEdit\\wix-3.0.5419.0"Automatically run and install PreInstall PreInstallPackageGenerator.exe --architecture win32 --autoXML --language en --wixDir "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\WixEdit\\wix-3.0.5419.0" --launchPreInstall --additionalArguments "--extract_wireless_settings --force --reboot "Note: Running a 64 bit version of PreInstall from an MSI package isn’t currently supported.Note: Multiple runs of the PreInstallPackageGenerator.exe in the same PreInstall package is not supported. To generate another MSI package, take the original unmodified PreInstall package and generate the new MSI package in there. Don’t run PreInstallPackageGenerator.exe multiple times in the same PreInstall package.
2025-04-08