MAKEMSI quickly and reliably creates MSI files in a non-programmatic way\Tips and TricksToolsMSI Platform SDKMSI.CHM

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MSI.CHM

This is a Windows Installer document from Microsoft which is available online at their MSDN site and also comes with the "MSI Platform SDK" (although its no longer available as a ".CHM" document).

This documentation is about as good as Microsoft's doco gets (ie not very good) but is still very useful.

It is probably the best source for MSI internal information and for specific information about a table or field. It is also very useful for looking up Windows Installer error codes.

The information is typically badly laid out, partial and typically supplied without context (so basically you ALWAYS have to do more reading BETWEEN the lines than reading the actual lines!).

The latest MSI Platform SDK (for example Feb 2003) uses the MS Document Explorer. To start this documentation use "StartProgramsMicrosoft Platform SDK February 2003Platform SDK Documentation" (then Setup & System AdministrationSetupWindows Installer).

It is best to supplement this with information from other sources such as the newsgroups:

• MSI Platform SDK - microsoft.public.platformsdk.msi
• Install Site
• Wise Installer PRO (Some general info here)
• AppDeploy (groups aren't used much)
• MSI Specialists

• Command Prompt ADMIN - microsoft.public.win2000.cmdprompt.admin
• Unattended Windows MSFN Forum (Device Driver, silent/unattended installation of Windows and applications)

And the Frequently Asked Questions:

• Microsoft's FAQ
• InstallSite's FAQ
• AppDeploy's FAQ

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). Friday May 02 2008 at 8:41am Visit MAKEMSI's Home Page