MAKEMSI quickly and reliably creates MSI files in a non-programmatic way\Tips and TricksUser Interface TipsStart Program at End of Install

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Start Program at End of Install

The following is a complete MSI script which will automatically invoke a program (either installed by your MSI or a pre-existing file):

;--- Load MAKEMSI (via my personal branding and configuration file) --------
#include "ME.MMH"

;--- Define installation directory and install file to this location --------
<$DirectoryTree Key="INSTALLDIR" Dir="[ProgramFilesFolder]\MyTestDir" CHANGE="\" PrimaryFolder="Y">
<$Component "Simple" Directory_="INSTALLDIR">
    <$File Source="D:\DBAREIS\tools\MsgBox.exe" RowKey="MsgBox.EXE" KeyPath="Y">
<$/Component>

;--- Invoke the install executable ------------------------------------------
#(
    ;--- Run after install, ignore return code and don't wait for completion ---
    <$ExeCa
             EXE="[INSTALLDIR]MsgBox.exe" Args=^"MsgBox Title" "MsgBox text..."^
            ;EXE="[SystemFolder]notepad.exe" Args="c:\tmp\1.x"
         WorkDir="INSTALLDIR"
             SEQ="InstallFinalize-"   Type="immediate ASync AnyRc"
       Condition="<$CONDITION_INSTALL_ONLY>"
    >
#)

You may wish to invoke the program from the last dialog as shown here:

If so the following code invokes a macro (defined further below):

    <$LaunchProductCheckBox EXE="[INSTALLDIR]MsgBox.exe" Args=^"MsgBox Title" "MsgBox text..."^>

The macro used by the above code follows:

#(
    #define LaunchProductCheckBox

    ;--- Validate passed parameters -----------------------------------------
    {$!:EXE,ARGS,WORKDIR,TEXT}

    ;--- Add a checkbox to the final dialog ---------------------------------
    <$Property "LAUNCHPRODUCT" Value="1">       ;;Default is ticked.
    <$Table "Control">
    #(
        <$Row
               Dialog_="ExitDialog"
               Control="LaunchProductCheckBox"
                  Type="CheckBox"
              Property="LAUNCHPRODUCT"
                     X="10"
                     Y="243"
                 Width="150"
                Height="17"
            Attributes="&H10003"
                  Text=^{$Text="Launch [ProductName]"}^
          Control_Next=""
                  Help=""
        >
    #)
    <$/Table>

    ;--- We don't always want to see the checkbox ---------------------------
    <$Table "ControlCondition">
    #(
        ;--- Hide the checkbox if package already installed -----------------
        <$Row
              Dialog_="ExitDialog"
             Control_="LaunchProductCheckBox"
               Action="Hide"
            Condition="Installed"
        >
    #)
    <$/Table>

    ;--- What value is put in property if checkbox is ticked? ---------------
    <$Table "CheckBox">
        <$Row Property="LAUNCHPRODUCT" Value="1">
    <$/Table>

    ;--- Call our custom action ("ExeCa" below) when "Finish" button pressed ---
    <$Table "ControlEvent">
    #(
        <$Row
              Dialog_="ExitDialog"
             Control_="Finish"
                Event="DoAction"
             Argument="CaLaunchProductCheckBox"
            Condition="(NOT Installed) AND (LAUNCHPRODUCT = 1)"
             Ordering=""
        >
    #)
    <$/Table>

    ;--- Custom Action (not scheduled but runs via dialog) ------------------
    #(
        <$ExeCa
                 Key="CaLaunchProductCheckBox"
                 EXE="{$EXE}" Args=^{$Args}^
                ;EXE="[SystemFolder]notepad.exe" Args="c:\tmp\1.x"
             WorkDir="{$WorkDir=''}"
                 Seq="0" SeqTable=""
                Type="immediate ASync AnyRc"
           Condition="<$CONDITION_INSTALL_ONLY> and LAUNCHPRODUCT=1"
        >
    #)
#)

The macro above modifies the "ExitDialog" and is based on code written by Julian Onions. Thanks again Julian!

Of course nothing stops you creating your own dialog containing a checkbox like the above.

If the "program" is a batch file the you should have a look at the "Batch File Custom Actions" section.

Grey Background on Controls!

I've put the checkbox on the gray part of the dialog as its is not possible for checkbox (or other) controls to site nicely on a non-default (generally gray) background as the "transparent" attribute doesn't work.

If you tried putting the checkbox on the white part it just looks stupid, however there is a non-perfect workaround and that is to size the control so that it only covers the square and have no associated text. Then add a second control for the text. The disadvantage is that clicking on the text doesn't toggle the checkbox.

Please email me any feedback, additional information or corrections. See this page online (look for updates) MAKEMSI© is (C)opyright Dennis Bareis 2003-2008 (All rights reserved). Saturday May 28 2022 at 3:11pm Visit MAKEMSI's Home Page