64 Bit Installs

MAKEMSI quickly and reliably creates MSI files in a non-programmatic way

Windows Installer FAQ (the basics)

64 Bit Installs

Windows Installer Basics: 64 Bit Installs

Some of the main points:

Make sure you perform "msi validation" (preferably automatically during build or at least manually after) as it may display many useful (ICE80) warning and error messages which should identify any issues and provide some guidance.
Use "x64" (or "Intel64" for the "Itanium" CPU) instead of "Intel" for the "template". You can't have a single package that supports both 32 and 64 bit installs. The usual way of altering this value is via the "COMPANY_SUMMARY_TEMPLATE" definition.
If a 64 bit package tried to install on an system which doesn't support it then you will get the text "This installation package is not supported by this processor type. Contact your product vendor" in a dialog and logged. Of course Microsoft neither display or log what the msi requires or what is supplied...
64 bit packages must specify a "MsiSchema" of "200" or greater. The usual way of altering this value is via the "COMPANY_SUMMARY_SCHEMA" definition.
You need to set the "64bit" attribute (aka "msidbComponentAttributes64bit") on components so that registry entries go into the 64-location (instead of Wow6432Node). If all components are to be 64 bit then you could specify this in the "DEFAULT_COMPONENT_ATTRIBUTES" definition.
Use the MAKEMSI custom action attribute "64BitScript" (aka "msidbCustomActionType64BitScript") where required. I believe this will be required for all VBSCRIPT and JSCRIPT custom actions at a minimum.
Use of appropriate folders such as "ProgramFiles64Folder" to get files installed into the correct 64 bit location "C:\Program Files" (instead of the 32 bit directory "C:\Program Files (x86)"). Two other folders of interest are "CommonFiles64Folder" & "System64Folder".
The VersionNT64 property is used to determine the version of Windows.
Be aware of any configured directory mappings. Delete, change or avoid any problem definitions.
Some other 64 bit related items:
- The "64Bit" parameter of the "RegistryRead" command.
Some files such as "CMD.EXE" have moved around.

More information...

Some more information available from:

Microsoft awarded me an MVP (Most Valuable Professional award) in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 for the Windows SDK (Windows Installer) area.

Please email me any feedback, additional information or corrections.
See this page online (look for updates)