MAKEMSI quickly and reliably creates MSI files in a non-programmatic way\Windows Installer FAQ (the basics)Shortcuts

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Windows Installer Basics: Shortcuts

The MAKEMSI "Shortcut" command is the simplest way to create shortcuts (which are implemented via the "Shortcut" table).

There are two types of shortcuts supported by Windows Installer (MAKEMSI supports a third type of shortcut which is a hybrid):

1. Advertised
   This type of shortcut advertises a feature. This allows installation on demand or repair of all or parts of your product.

   The target file is identified via a "component keypath" and this frequently causes problems since you may want to conditionally create advertised different versions of advertised shortcuts without installing the file multiple times.

   The target file is "executed" via its default action (file association - see the "Extn" command). This is a restriction which frequently forces you to use non-advertised shortcuts (against your will).

   Advertised shortcuts can workaround "features" in your msi as well as those in Windows Installer itself, for example an advertised shortcut could repair missing files caused by pending reboot operations.

   Windows doesn't display advertised shortcuts in the "SendToFolder" (possibly others also)! Sounds like a bug to me...
   There are also some disadvantages to the end user:

   • The user may wish to copy shortcuts to the desktop or elsewhere, these will stop working unless the exact same version of the product is installed (normal shortcuts will most likely keep working even after a different version of the product is installed)

     The error message that gets displayed is also an unhelpful joke...

   • The user can't view or alter the target program even though its arguments can be (a bit of a contradiction if you ask me)..

   • Some "normal" property pages like the WinXP "Compatibility" tab will not appear!

   You can use the "DISABLEADVTSHORTCUTS" property to create non-advertised shortcuts (in place of ones normally advertised).

2. Non-Advertised
   These are the traditional shortcuts that has always been around. The target program is explicitely defined as are the arguments.

   The main disadvantages of these shortcuts are that they are not advertised.
   The main advantages are:

   • All shortcut info is visible and edtable by the user.

   • A copied shortcut will not stop working when the application is uninstalled or a new version installed (assuming target program still exists).

For a standalone example of how shortcuts are created with MAKEMSI have a look at the "TryMeShortcuts.MM" sample.

Issue with Microsoft's Validation Suites

The default for MAKEMSI is a per-machine install (ALLUSERS=1) so the shortcuts are created for "all users". The standard Microsoft validation suite does not understand the context and for this reason will create 2 warning messages if the "NonAdvertisedShortcut" component is created with file keypath or LM=Y (rather than CU=Y which it wants). However if you do use CU=Y then an unnecessary repair will take place for each user to create the per-user component keypath. This is one case where it is wise to ignore a validation message (be sure you understand them first though).

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