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Resolved Question

Create custom .msi package from existing .msi

by Jan 26, 2012 6:18PM PST

I have an .msi package that contains multiple clients and when I select to install I have options for what clients I wish to install. How can I strip out the bits I don't need and have an .msi that will only install the one client from this package that I do need? I need this for pushing out to users via Group Policy. I want to publish and when users select to install from "Add/Remove Programs" I want it to install as a passive install, so the users sees the progress but doesn't have to select any options. Any help would be great...

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GlennLawr has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
4 Posts
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Best Answer

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ORCA
by Mar 12, 2012 2:50AM PDT

Just to advise, I found a way to do what I needed using ORCA.

Basically with ORCA you can add the installation options you want and it creates a .mst (transform) file which can be pushed out with the original .msi through GP.

I believe you can also create the .msi package again with just the required installation options using ORCA, but I haven't actually tried this yet!


Hope this can help others...


Glenn.

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Answer
This one is too easy.
by Forum moderator Jan 27, 2012 1:12AM PST

If you requested this of my software I'd make you such a package since you were my client and customer (you paid me for this.)

In other words, be sure to make your request to the person/company that made it.
Bob

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That would be too easy...!
by GlennLawr Jan 27, 2012 7:10AM PST

I have asked but they have just told me they don't have it as a separate client. There are options to install only the required options via the cmd line using msiexec, but I don't think this will work for "Publishing" via Group Policy to my users.

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You won't like it.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 27, 2012 7:15AM PST

Then you have to get a good PC Windows Guru to break into it and see what it installs to where and more. In the past I used tools like FILEMON and REGMON (see google for information) but I find most folk upset over doing such things. Once we get it all disassembled we could craft our own installer.

Again, this is best for those that eat, live and breath Visual Studio and have worked the Windows apps for about a decade.

There is no friendly tool I know of to do this any other way.
Bob

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