EMCO MSI Package Builder is a software tool that creates Windows Installer (MSI) packages. The tool allows creating new MSI packages and converting non-silent EXE setups to silent MSI packages for unattended remote installation. EMCO MSI Package Builder is an innovative installation editor designed for an effortless creation of MSI packages. It helps you create MSI packages automatically by using the changes tracking technology, or manually by using the visual editor.
I've created setups for all my Delphi tools with Inno Setup for years. Now some users rather want an MSI installation package, so they can deploy the setups from a central server to all workstations.
How do I create one? Do I have to buy Visual Studio or some other product?
Daniel RikowskiDaniel Rikowski8 Answers
You can use Wix (which is free) to create an MSI installation package.
Rob MenschingIf you don't understand Windows Installer then I highly recommend The Definitive Guide to Windows Installer. You can't really use WiX without understanding MSI. Also worth downloading is the Windows Installer 4.5 SDK.
If you don't want to learn the Windows Installer fundamentals, then you'll need some wizard type package to hide all the nitty gritty details and hold your hand. There are plenty of options, some more expensive than others.
- InstallShield
- Advanced Installer
- MSI Factory
- etc..
However still I'd suggest picking up the above book and taking some time to understand what's going on 'under the hood', it'll really help you figure out what's going wrong when customers start complaining that something is broken with the setup :)
saschabeaumontsaschabeaumontYou can use Visual Studio - that's paid.
You can use https://www.advancedinstaller.com/ - that has a free edition.
You can use http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Main_Page - for example Winamp uses this installer - and is very configurable and is Open Source.
TimoteiTimoteiGoogle 'Freeware MSI installer'.
e.g. https://www.advancedinstaller.com/
Several options here:
Though being Windows, most are 'shareware' rather than truly free and open source.
You can use 'Visual studio installer project' and its free...
This is very easy to create installer and has GUI.(Most of the freeware MSI creation tool does not have a GUI part)
You will find many tutorials to create an installer easily on the internet
To install. just search Visual Studio Installer Project in your Visual Studio
Visual Studio-> Tools-> Extensions&updates ->search Visual Studio Installer Project. Download it and enjoy...
You can purchase InstallShield, the market leader for creating installation packages. It offers many features beyond what you get with freeware solutions.
Msi Package Builder Can Add License Key Info
Warning: InstallShield is insanely expensive!
grgIn my opinion you should use Wix#, which nicely hides most of the complexity of building an MSI installation pacakge.
It allows you to perform all possible kinds of customization using a more easier language compared to WiX.
Aleph0Aleph0