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Have your say! Join the MAKEMSI discussion list or view archive! Suggest improvements. No question too simple or too complex.
\->Windows Installer FAQ (the basics)->Limitations (areas of improvement)->Lack of decent driver support

Lack of decent driver support

Possibly not as big an issue as it was now that you have the Driver Install Frameworks (DIFxAPP), however that is really just tacked on support rather than integrated, also see my "Microsoft Committed to Windows Installer?" point...

  • There is a lot of handballing between the MSI and device driver forums with no one able to answer questions.

    My Unanswered Questions - Too hard?

    1. No DIFxAPP error dialog (v2.01) - Feature or bug?

      I'm hoping that the fact that DIFxAPP doesn't display error dialogs on fatal problems is a "bug" and not a feature. As it is users won't know what to do and may not even notice the package has failed to install.

      I didn't notice any flags for this...

    2. DIFxAPP v2.01 - Can driver remain on MSI uninstall?

      It appears from the doco that I can't have the driver remain on the system on uninstall of the MSI, is that correct?

      Normally to keep a resource on uninstall setting the components "ComponentId" column to null would do this however reading the doco (which I have already worked out is wrong in many ways) implies (but doesn't say) that this won't work.

      My devices appear to be unloaded by the uninstall even though I did NOT set the flag which says to remove system driver files.

      This issue is the only thing stopping me from using DIFxAPP to repackage drivers, I want to install updates to drivers and not have any uninstall processing effect the devices in any way. I want installation of a new driver to be applied to devices for which the driver is intended (basically no device activity at all during uninstall).


      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.