MAKEMSI (v22.148) - Make MSI based installation files. Can automatically build new or update existing MSI files or other Windows Installer databases file types. Has guid generator plus many other tools.

MAKEMSI is a freeware tool which enables you to easily and reliably create low overhead "MSI" or "Windows Installer" based installers (some user feedback). Windows Installer is a Microsoft developed and backed installer format or technology for building reliable installation packages.

Help and support is available from the extensive manual and from Microsoft's own forums or from the dedicated MAKEMSI user group with 500+ members.

Some advantages of an MSI include (also see this lockergnome video):

1. Automatic handling of files opened by applications (in use).
2. If an install fails then prior changes will be undone (no half installs).
3. Enables deployment (with or without elevated privledges) to all boxes in a network via Group Policy/Active Directory. Corporate customers will definately prefer (or in fact generally require) MSI based installers due to their ease of deployment.
4. The automatic creation of XP system restore points at package install and uninstall.
5. Self healing (repair) of files or registry entries.
6. The advertising of complete applications (or parts) which allows installation on demand (resources not installed until required).
7. Installation or uninstallation can be automated via command line parameters in a standard way (automatic support for silent or unattended installs).
8. Allows merging of common "runtime files" (via Microsoft or other 3rd party merge modules).
9. Configuration of MSI based products is supported by many mechanisms which are standard for all MSI installers. MSI files are self contained SQL databases (with SQL tables and rows) and Windows Installers uses a data driven approach to installation. This installation can can be manipulated (by the end user) to tweak them or alterations can be done via separate SQL transforms or options can be overridden from the command line. This can change install file and shortcut locations and control which features get installed plus much more.
10. Microsoft Windows product logos require MSI based installers.

MAKEMSI utilizes simple XML like text files for the reliable creation (or updating) of MSI based installers. Once set up subsequent rebuilds are automated, reliable, quick and in general require no MSI skills. Not only does MAKEMSI build the MSI but it creates HTML documentation for it as well! As an MSI creator MAKEMSI generates small files, unlike those built by other tools which can be huge!

MAKEMSI is aimed at both beginners as well as advanced users. If required you have full control over every Windows Installer table and row (you can even create your own). You can also just point MAKEMSI at a complete directory tree or a registry file and it will create the appropriate Windows Installer entries (components, GUIDs, cab files) and doing this doesn't prevent the use of the more advanced capabilities. MAKEMSI can actually build or update any Windows Installer database types, for example ICE validation suites or merge modules. It is the simplest tool available for MSI automation.

This is probably about the shortest useful example of a complete MSI:

    #include "ME.MMH"       ;;Load and configure MAKEMSI, apply my branding to MSI
    <$DirectoryTree Key="INSTALLDIR" Dir="c:\program files\SomeDir" CHANGE="\" PrimaryFolder="Y">
    <$Files "WhatIWant\*.*" SubDir="TREE" DestDir="INSTALLDIR">
    

My MSIDIFF tool (an "MSI to TEXT" utility) can be used to compare two MSIs or decompile a complete one into a very human readable format (which is better than those of any "visual" or "GUI" programs I have seen). As the output can also be processed by MAKEMSI, this capability is frequently used by people who wish to automate changes which they may currently be making with table editors such as "orca.exe".

In case you need help there is a MAKEMSI user group (500+ members) and MAKEMSI installs a searchable windows compiled help file with index. This extensive documentation includes a huge "tips and tricks" section and is also available online (if Java disabled). As MAKEMSI just creates stock standard MSI installers you can also visit any standard Windows Installer groups such as "microsoft.public.platformsdk.msi".

As text files are used these are easy to compare or store in source revision control systems (PVCS etc). Note that basic version and product information is held in separate files (by default) as in general the build script need not be updated from release to release, just the version information.

You can create an MSI (or other windows installer databases) via Windows Explorer shell extensions or the command line and not only is the process both fast and "hands off" but it can be built into automated build procedures (perhaps using NMAKE, ANT, NANT or even just batch files etc).

The tool encourages reuse of common MSI "logic", I have actually created many sets of 2 line scripts where the complex logic was centralised thereby allowed people without MSI skills to create these MSIs. Some two lines script examples are for Workstation RIS images, deployment of J2EE ear/war files and Jetform form packages.

MAKEMSI can gather required information from virtually anywhere (such as SQL databases or text files).

You can perform low level table and row manipulation, use MAKEMSI's higher level macros or both (that is you have as much or as little control over how the MSI is created as you want or need).

The HTML report that MAKEMSI generates shows most of the major details such as files and their attributes (datestamp, size MD5 checksum etc). Have a look at a sample generated report (this includes the source code used at the end). The report can be highly customised both for what is displayed and how it looks. By default this report is installed along with the product and is available via the "support information" in the add-remove applet.

The file "verify" button on the generated HTML report can be used to can see how any installed files differ from those in the MSI (or to see which components containing files are installed).

For situations where there are no relevant high level MAKEMSI commands you can use MAKEMSI's table and row manipulations to create, update or delete tables or rows (you can also create your own custom tables). You can use "where" clauses and validate success. The following demonstrates some low level table/row manipulation:

    ;--- Move to Between "InstallValidate" and "InstallInitialize" actions ---
    <$Table "InstallExecuteSequence">
        <$Row Action="RemoveExistingProducts" Sequence="1451">  ;;Move action
    <$/Table>
    
    ;--- Delete property ---
    <$Table "Property">
       <$RowsDelete where=^`Property` = 'ComponentDownload'^>
    <$/Table>
    
    ;--- Fix control which is too short (optionally) ---
    #define? UISAMPLE_LENGTHEN_TITLE_TEXT_CONTROL Y  ;;Default is Y" = we will increase length
    #if ['<$UISAMPLE_LENGTHEN_TITLE_TEXT_CONTROL>' = 'Y']
        <$Table "Control">
           #(
               <$Row
                   @Where="Dialog_ = 'ProgressDlg' AND Control = 'Title'"
                      @OK='=1'
                    Width="300"      ;;Previous value = 200
                   Height="30"       ;;Previous value = 15
               >
           #)
       <$/Table>
    #endif
    

As the whole of MAKEMSI is simply PPWIZARD programming, you can also create your own commands (and all of the existing MAKEMSI source is available as example code)!

Note that there are some other products appearing that will do similar things however some are only designed to tweek EXISTING MSI files and they don't have the inbuilt power of a programmable preprocessor. Everything MAKEMSI does is done via PPWIZARD programming. MAKEMSI is designed to allow you to build an MSI (or merge modules etc) from scratch (starting without any tables) or from an "empty" template.

All MSI steps are validated and as much as possible any input by you will be checked. The final MSI is passed though ORCA style validation (although you can filter out messages you don't wish to see). The MSIs will be built consistently, its just up to you to test what you do.

The intention is to make is so simple that just about anyone with minimal MSI knowledge can create MSI packages (and no MSI knowledge should be required to build future releases of the same product - unless largish MSI modifications required - rare). File changes, even directory changes need not require any changes to be build script.

Note that all of the above is without writing code although you can imbed VBSCRIPT (but you normally shouldn't need to). Basically you define how your MSI should be created, all error handling is generally handled by MAKEMSI. The script is in some ways XML like and as far as possible simply lists resources ("I have some files, registry and shortcuts to install").

The "Table" and "Row" commands allow you to modify any table (just like table editing in "ORCA" - but automated).

Known to work (tested in) in Windows 98SE, NT4, 2000, 2003 and XP. It is expected to work in Windows 95 and ME.

MAKEMSI can build from the command line, make files or as the following flash animation shows, explorer:

Download links:

• Download MAKEMSI (10,394,996 bytes) The zip contains an MSI which contains a cab file which may contain VBSCRIPTS and other extensions flagged by some brain dead programs as adware or similar (as an example I have had a report of "Avast" reporting "dtReg.exe" as addware). If unsure please contact me.

• Read Installation Instructions.

• View the Change History.
  MAKEMSI changes quite frequently so it pays to check this page often. You might wish to read these

Note that my MSIDIFF tool (to compare/disassemble databases) is now a separate installer.

If you have any problems installing or creating MSIs please tell me so I can save others suffering the same issue (please indicate the operating system being used). Some things to try (in order, based on previous solutions):

1. If the MSI is not on drive C: (even if the drive is a local hard drive) copy the MSI to drive C: and try install from there. A policy may be preventing you ionstalling from other drives. If your system drive is not drive C:, then I'd try both!

2. If you are not an administrator (even if you have admin privledges) try logging on an administrator and try install again.

3. Create a verbose install log and send it to me, from a command line use something like:

   msiexec.exe /i "C:\TMP\makemsi.msi" /l*v "c:\TMP\makemsi.txt"
   

I would very much appreciate feedback on this download. It can be extended to cover anything not currently supported or of course you can simply use the low level table and row commands. MAKEMSI is not perfect (just more perfect than other tools)! I expect to be enhancing it for quite a while to come... If you don't like something MAKEMSI does or you believe it has limitations it shouldn't then tell me (remove spam protection from email address)! The feedback and queries I get will help direct my efforts to where the "real need" is. The frequency, location and amount of future enhancements will depend of the interest shown.

There are many ways it can be used and there are many options, if it doesn't work the way you think it should it can probably be configured to do so, if I need to make changes I will do so.

While the tool is not "open source" all source code is provided, this can be used as sample code for you to create new commands. If so I would appreciate it if you would send code for inclusion into future releases or make it available from your web site (in which case I will link to it).

Some other tools similar to MAKEMSI are "MSI2XML" and "WIX", all three attempt to use text files to automate MSI creation however MAKEMSI creates better MSI installers with less effort and requiring less Windows Installer knowledge (and therefore in general more reliably). The other tools don't do much for you, they mainly help with the task of automating the building (which of course MAKEMSI also does). MAKEMSI also builds quite good HTML documentation (see example) which also includes a file or product verification ability (do all installed files match what we'd expect).

I used to have a product called WISEINST, this no longer exists and has been replaced with the much better "MAKEMSI", it is much more advanced and does not require any commercial 3rd party tools.

MAKEMSI uses base Windows Installer functionality and so does not requires Wise Installer Pro to function. MAKEMSI will also be a lot easier to use and the steps involved are integrated more. MAKEMSI can even create merge modules and Windows Installer tables this is something not possible with "WISEINST". Even commands like "Row" which might appear similar between the 2 products have major differences with the MAKEMSI version being much more powerful (for example it accepts literals as well as expressions - WISEINST required a fair bit of stuffing around to do similar).

MAKEMSI is quite different and only rarely did I try too hard about keeping them similar (I had to do a fair bit of conversion myself). If you have used "WISEINST" before take my word for it, the conversion will be worth it.

Unframe "makemsi.htm" Sunday July 16 2023 at 1:46pm