MAKEMSI quickly and reliably creates MSI files in a non-programmatic way
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\->MAKEMSI Installs...->Installed Shortcuts and Options->Export to .IDT

Export to .IDT

The right click menu of all installed Windows Installer database types have an option to export to ".idt" files which:

  1. Creates an ".IDT" file for each table (including custom tables) in the database are exported. The "_Tables" table is used to provide the table list. An IDT is a delimited ASCII file which contains table definition data as well as any data the table contains. You should probably see the "IDT Export Flakey" section.

  2. The summary and database code page information is also exported as ".IDT" files.

  3. Any binaries in the tables will be exported into a sub-directory whose name matches the table name (the drive/directory must be writable).

  4. Any "_Stream" table binaries that were not already exported above (via other tables) are exported.

  5. All exported binaries normally end in ".ibd", this will be removed, if the filename doesn't have an extension an attempt will be made to "guess" what it should be.

  6. A zero length file for each "_Storages" table binaries is generated. Unfortunately there is no way (at least documented) to export this data, for now at least you know that the database contains some! I will try to do better in a future release.

  7. Any imbedded cab files will have been exported into one of the subdirectories created (location depends on the tool used to build the MSI and possibly what options chosen). An administrative install unpacks (and collects) the files for you so may be a better option if all you need is access to the files.

  8. The table definition of all ".IDT" files are processed to generate a single "ALL.MmTable" file in the exported directory which contains MAKEMSI "TableDefinition" and "Column" commands (similar to the "IDT Conversion" process).

  9. All ".idt" files for tables without data are moved into a subdirectory to make diagnosis easier.

  10. A message box displays at the end providing a summary of what occurred and following this the exported folder is opened in Windows Explorer.

The WinMerge.EXE tool could be used to simplify the comparisons of two directory trees creates for two MSIs...

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