<msi> Task

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
background	string	A .bmp (bitmap) file 495x315 pixels in size that will be displayed as the background image of the installation user interface.	False
banner	string	A .bmp (bitmap) file 495x60 pixels in size that will be displayed as the banner (top) image of the installation user interface.	False
license	string	An .rtf (rich text format) file containing the license agreement for your software. The contents of this file will be displayed to the user when setup runs and must be accepted to continue.	False
output	string	The name of the file that will be generated when the task completes execution (eg. MyInstall.msi or MyMergeModule.msm).	True
sourcedir	string	A directory relative to the NAnt script in which the msi task resides from which to retrieve files that will be installed by the msi database. All files that will be included in your installation need to be located directly within or in subdirectories of this directory.	True
debug	bool	Causes the generated msi database file to contain debug messages for errors created by inconsistencies in creation of the database. This makes the file slightly larger and should be avoided when generating a production release of your software.	False
errortemplate	string	A .mst file to use as the starting database containing strings displayed to the user when errors occur during installation. A .mst template is included with the msi task, you only need to supply this value if you want to override the default error template and cannot perform something through the features of the msi task.	False
failonerror	bool	Determines if task failure stops the build, or is just reported. The default is true.	False
if	bool	If true then the task will be executed; otherwise, skipped. The default is true.	False
template	string	A installer file to use as the starting database in which all files and entries will be made, and then copied to the filename specified by the output parameter. Install templates are included with the install tasks, you only need to supply this value if you want to override the default template.	False
unless	bool	Opposite of `if`. If false then the task will be executed; otherwise, skipped. The default is false.	False
verbose	bool	Determines whether the task should report detailed build log messages. The default is false.	False

Groups sets of components into named sets, these can be used to layout the tree control that allows users to select and deselect features of your software product when a custom installation is selected at runtime.

Parameters

Attribute

Type

Description

Required

name

string

A name used to refer to the feature.

True

display

int

The number in this field specifies the order in which the feature is to be displayed in the user interface. The value also determines if the feature is initially displayed expanded or collapsed.

If the value is null or zero, the record is not displayed. If the value is odd, the feature node is expanded initially. If the value is even, the feature node is collapsed initially.

True

title

string

Short string of text identifying the feature. This string is listed as an item by the SelectionTree control of the Selection Dialog.

False

typical

bool

Determines if the feature should be included in a "typical" install. This is useful for when the user selects to just install the typical features.

False

Nested Elements:

<feature>

Nested feature elements are supported.

</feature>

<description>

Longer string of text describing the feature. This localizable string is displayed by the Text control of the Selection Dialog.

</description>

<conditions>

<condition>

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
expression	string	If this conditional expression evaluates to TRUE, then the Level column in the Feature table is set to the conditional install level. The expression in the Condition column should not contain reference to the installed state of any feature or component. This is because the expressions in the Condition column are evaluated before the installer evaluates the installed states of features and components. Any expression in the Condition table that attempts to check the installed state of a feature or component always evaluates to false. For information on the syntax of conditional statements, see Conditional Statement Syntax.	True
level	int	The installer sets the install level of this feature to the level specified in this column if the expression in the Condition column evaluates to TRUE. Set this value to 0 to have the component not install if the condition is not met. For any installation, there is a defined install level, which is an integral value from 1 to 32,767. The initial value is determined by the InstallLevel property, which is set in the Property table. A feature is installed only if the feature level value is less than or equal to the current install level. The user interface can be authored such that once the installation is initialized, the installer allows the user to modify the install level of any feature in the Feature table. For example, an author can define install level values that represent specific installation options, such as Complete, Typical, or Minimum, and then create a dialog box that uses SetInstallLevel ControlEvents to enable the user to select one of these states. Depending on the state the user selects, the dialog box sets the install level property to the corresponding value. If the author assigns Typical a level of 100 and the user selects Typical, only those features with a level of 100 or less are installed. In addition, the Custom option could lead to another dialog box containing a Selection Tree control. The Selection Tree would then allow the user to individually change whether each feature is installed.	True

</condition>

</conditions>

Examples

Define a sample features structure.

            <features>
                <feature name="F__Default" title="My Product" display="1" typical="true" directory="TARGETDIR">
                    <description>My Product from ACME, Inc. </description>
                    <feature name="F__MainFiles" display="0" typical="true" />
                </feature>
                <feature name="F__Help" title="My Product Help Files" display="1" typical="false" directory="D__ACME_MyProduct_Help" />
            </features>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Includes pre-packaged installation components (.msm files) as part of the msi database. This feature allows reuse of installation components that use MSI technology from other setup vendors or as created by the <msm> task.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
feature	string	Refrence to a feature. Used to associate the merge module with the feature (and the feature's directory) for when to install the components in the merge module.	True

Nested Elements:

<modules>

Specifies the merge module(s) to include with the specified feature.

</modules>

<configurationitems>

<configurationitem>

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
module	string	Merge module filename to limit the configuration item to. If this is not set, the configuration item will be applied to all merge modules in the fileset.	True
name	string	Name of item for which data is to be set	True
value	string	Value of the configurable item	True

</configurationitem>

</configurationitems>

Examples

Add the NAnt merge module to the install.

<mergemodules>
    <merge feature="F__NAntMSM">
        <modules>
            <include name="${nant.dir}\Install\NAnt.msm" />
        </modules>
    </merge>
</mergemodules>

Add a Visual Studio .wid package (merge module) and specify some configurable items.

<mergemodules>
  <merge feature="F__DefaultFeature">
    <modules>
      <include name="VsdReadmeDlg.wid" />
    </modules>
    <configurationitems>
      <configurationitem name="BannerBitmap" value="CONFIGURED_BANNERBITMAP" />
      <configurationitem module="VsdReadmeDlg.wid" name="ReadmeText" value="CONFIGURED_READMETEXT" />
    </configurationitems>
  </merge>
</mergemodules>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Sets various properties in the SummaryInformation stream (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/summary_information_stream.asp)

All of the sub-elements are optional.

Nested Elements:

<title>

ProductName

</title>

<subject>

ProductName

</subject>

<author>

Manufacturer

</author>

<keywords>

Keywords

</keywords>

<comments>

Comments

</comments>

<template>

Indicates the platform and language versions that are supported by the database. The Template Summary Property of a patch package is a semicolon-delimited list of the product codes that can accept the patch.

See http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/template_summary_property.asp for more information.

</template>

<revisionnumber>

Contains the package code (GUID) for the installer package. The package code is a unique identifier of the installer package. Note: Default behavior - a new GUID is generated every time

</revisionnumber>

<creatingapplication>

The name of the application used to author the database. Note: Default value is NAnt.

</creatingapplication>

Examples

Define specific summary information.

            <summaryinformation>
                <title>Installation Database</title>
                <subject>${install.productname}</subject>
                <author>${install.manufacturer}</author>
                <keywords>MSI, database, NAnt, Installer</keywords>
                <comments>This installer database contains the logic and data required to install NAnt</comments>
                <template>;1033</template>
                <creatingapplication>NAnt - http://nant.sf.net </creatingapplication>
            </summaryinformation>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Name/value pairs which will be set in the PROPERTY table of the installer database.

The properties element contains within it one to any number of property elements.

Public property names cannot contain lowercase letters.

Private property names must contain some lowercase letters.

Property names prefixed with % represent system and user environment variables. These are never entered into the Property table. The permanent settings of environment variables can only be modified using the Environment Table. More information is available here.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	A name used to refer to the property.	True
value	string	The value of the property. This value can contain references to other, predefined properties to build a compound property.	True

Examples

Define the required properties.

            <properties>
                <property name="ProductName" value="My Product" />
                <property name="ProductVersion" value="1.0.0" />
                <property name="Manufacturer" value="ACME Inc." />
                <property name="ProductCode" value="{29D8F096-3371-4cba-87E1-A8C6511F7B4C}" />
                <property name="UpgradeCode" value="{69E66919-0DE1-4280-B4C1-94049F76BA1A}" />
            </properties>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Contains within it one to any number of app, registry, ini, or dirfile elements. These elements are used to search for an existing filesystem directory, file, or Windows Registry setting. A property in the installer database is then set with the value obtained from the search.

<app>

More information on these attributes can be found at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/complocator_table.asp

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
componentid	string	The component ID of the component whose key path is to be used for the search.	True
type	msi:MSILocatorTypeDirFile	Valid input: `file` or `directory`	True
setproperty	string	A name used to refer to the property within the Msi database. Set at install time.	True

</app>

<registry>

More information on these attributes can be found at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/reglocator_table.asp

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
type	msi:MSILocatorTypeDirFileReg64	Valid input: `registry`, `file`, `directory`, `64bit`	True
path	string	Depending on the `type` specified: Path is a directory. Path is a registry key.	True
root	msi:MSIRegistryKeyRoot	Valid input: `dependent` - If this is a per-user installation, the registry value is written under HKEY_CURRENT_USER. If this is a per-machine installation, the registry value is written under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Note that a per-machine installation is specified by setting the ALLUSERS property to 1. `machine` represents HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE `classes` represents HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT `user` represents HKEY_CURRENT_USER `users` represents HKEY_USERS	True

Nested Elements:

<value>

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	Depending on the `type` specified: Key path is a file name. Key path is a registry value.	False
setproperty	string	A name used to refer to the property within the Msi database. Set at install time.	True

</value>

</registry>

<ini>

More information on these attributes can be found at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/inilocator_table.asp

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
filename	string	The .ini file name. (The .ini file must be present in the default Microsoft Windows directory.)	True
section	string	Section name within the .ini file.	True
key	string	Key value within the section.	True
field	msi:nonNegativeInt	The field in the .ini line. If Field is Null or 0, then the entire line is read. This must be a non-negative number.	False
type	msi:MSILocatorTypeDirFileRaw	Valid input: `file` ,`directory`, or `raw`	True
setproperty	string	A name used to refer to the property within the Msi database. Set at install time.	True

</ini>

<dirfile>

More information on these attributes can be found at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/drlocator_table.asp and http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/signature_table.asp

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
parent	string	An identifier to RegLocator, IniLocator, or CompLocator tables. If it does not expand to a full path, then all the fixed drives of the user's system are searched by using the Path. In order to determine what the key is for a table, prefix the property name assigned to that locator with SIG_	False
path	string	the path on the user's system. This is a either a full path or a relative subpath below the directory specified in the Parent column.	False
depth	msi:nonNegativeInt	The depth below the path that the installer searches for the file or directory.	False
setproperty	string	A name used to refer to the property within the Msi database. Set at install time.	True

Nested Elements:

<file>

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	The name of the file.	True
minversion	string	The minimum version of the file, with a language comparison. If this field is specified, then the file must have a version that is at least equal to MinVersion. If the file has an equal version to the MinVersion field value but the language specified in the Languages column differs, the file does not satisfy the signature filter criteria.	False
maxversion	string	The maximum version of the file. If this field is specified, then the file must have a version that is at most equal to MaxVersion.	False
minsize	msi:nonNegativeInt	The minimum size of the file. If this field is specified, then the file under inspection must have a size that is at least equal to MinSize. This must be a non-negative number.	False
maxsize	msi:nonNegativeInt	The maximum size of the file. If this field is specified, then the file under inspection must have a size that is at most equal to MaxSize. This must be a non-negative number.	False
mindate	msi:nonNegativeInt	The minimum modification date and time of the file. If this field is specified, then the file under inspection must have a modification date and time that is at least equal to MinDate. This must be a non-negative number.	False
maxdate	msi:nonNegativeInt	The maximum creation date of the file. If this field is specified, then the file under inspection must have a creation date that is at most equal to MaxDate. This must be a non-negative number.	False
languages	string	The languages supported by the file.	False

</file>

</dirfile>

Examples

Get the path of the web directory and the version of IIS. Create new properties in the Msi file with those values.

            <search>
                <registry type="registry" path="Software\Microsoft\InetStp" root="machine" >
                    <value name="PathWWWRoot" setproperty="IISWWWROOT" />
                </registry>
                <registry type="registry" path="SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W3SVC\Parameters" root="machine" >
                        <value name="MajorVersion" setproperty="IISVERSION" />
                </registry>
            </search>

Shows two ways to get the default key value for the specified key. Create new properties in the Msi file with those values.

            <search>
                <registry type="registry" path="Software\Microsoft\MessengerService" root="machine" >
                    <value setproperty="MSGSRVNAME" />
                    <value name="" setproperty="MSGSRVNAME2" />
                </registry>
            </search>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Contains within it one to any number of launchcondition elements. Launch conditions are conditions that all must be satisfied for the installation to begin.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	A name used to identify the launch condition.	True
condition	string	Expression that must evaluate to True for installation to begin.	True

Nested Elements:

<description>

Localizable text to display when the condition fails and the installation must be terminated.

</description>

Examples

Create a check to make sure that IIS 5.x is installed.

            <launchconditions>
                <launchcondition name="CheckIIS" condition="(IISVERSION = &quot;#5&quot;)" >
                    <description>
                        This setup requires Internet information Server 5.x.  Please install Internet Information Server and run this setup again.
                    </description>
                </launchcondition>
            </launchconditions>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Creates custom tables not directly managed by default features of the installer task.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	A unique name used to identify the table.	True

Nested Elements:

<columns>

<column>

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	A unique name used to define the column.	True
nullable	bool	When set to `true`, allows the column to accept null values; `false` does not allow null values.	True
category	msi:MSITableColumnCategoryType	Valid input: `Text` `UpperCase` `LowerCase` `Integer` `DoubleInteger` `Time/Date` `Identifier` `Property` `Filename` `WildCardFilename` `Path` `Paths` `AnyPath` `DefaultDir` `RegPath` `Formatted` `Template` `Condition` `GUID` `Version` `Language` `Binary` `Cabinet` `Shortcut` More information here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/msi/setup/column_data_types.asp	False
type	string	Overrides the `category` specification. An example of valid input would be: `S255`	False
key	bool	When set to `true`, the column is used to form the primary key for the table; `false` specifies that the column is not used to form the primary key.	False
minvalue	int	This field applies to columns having numeric value. The field contains the minimum permissible value. This can be the minimum value for an integer or the minimum value for a date or version string.	False
maxvalue	int	This field applies to columns having numeric value. The field is the maximum permissible value. This may be the maximum value for an integer or the maximum value for a date or version string.	False
keytable	string	This field applies to columns that are external keys. The field identified in Column must link to the column number specified by KeyColumn in the table named in KeyTable. This can be a list of tables separated by semicolons.	False
keycolumn	int	This field applies to table columns that are external keys. The field identified in Column must link to the column number specified by KeyColumn in the table named in KeyTable. The permissible range of the KeyColumn field is 1-32.	False
set	string	This is a list of permissible values for this field separated by semicolons. This field is usually used for enums.	False
description	string	A description of the data that is stored in the column.	False

</column>

</columns>

<rows>

<row>

<columns>

<column>

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	Name of the column to populate.	True
value	string	Value to populate the cell with.	True

</column>

</columns>

</row>

</rows>

Examples

Build the IniFile table. Since the WriteIniValues and RemoveIniValues actions exist in the template, they will use this table.

            <tables>
                <table name="IniFile">
                    <columns>
                        <column name="IniFile" nullable="false" category="Identifier" key="true" description="The key for this table." />
                        <column name="FileName" nullable="false" category="Text" description="The localizable name of the .ini file in which to write the information. " />
                        <column name="DirProperty" nullable="true" category="Identifier" description="Name of a property having a value that resolves to the full path of the folder containing the .ini file. " /> 
                        <column name="Section" nullable="false" category="Formatted" description="The localizable .ini file section." />
                        <column name="Key" nullable="false" category="Formatted" description="The localizable .ini file key within the section" />
                        <column name="Value" nullable="false" category="Formatted" description="The localizable value to be written. " />
                        <column name="Action" nullable="false" category="Integer" description="The type of modification to be made. " />
                        <column name="Component_" nullable="false" category="Identifier" description="External key into the first column of the Component table referencing the component that controls the installation of the .ini value. " />
                    </columns>
                    <rows>
                        <row>
                            <columns>
                                <column name="IniFile" value="MyInternetShortcut" />
                                <column name="FileName" value="MyInternetAddr.url" />
                                <column name="DirProperty" value="D__MYDIR" />
                                <column name="Section" value="InternetShortcut" />
                                <column name="Key" value="URL" />
                                <column name="Value" value="[TARGETURL]" />
                                <column name="Action" value="0" />
                                <column name="Component_" value="C__Documentation" />
                            </columns>
                        </row>
                    </rows>
                </table>
            </tables>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Specifies the directory layout for the product.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	A name used to refer to the directory.	True
foldername	string	The directory's name (localizable)under the parent directory.	True
root	string	A reference to the directory's parent directory. This can be a property name or one of the predefined directories included with the default template: `AdminToolsFolder` `AppDataFolder` `CommonAppDataFolder` `CommonFiles64Folder` `CommonFilesFolder` `DesktopFolder` `FavoritesFolder` `FontsFolder` `LocalAppDataFolder` `MyPicturesFolder` `PersonalFolder` `ProgramFilesFolder` `ProgramMenuFolder` `ProgramFiles64Folder` `SendToFolder` `StartMenuFolder` `StartupFolder` `System16Folder` `System64Folder` `SystemFolder` `TARGETDIR` `TempFolder` `TemplateFolder` `WindowsFolder` `WindowsVolume`	True

Nested Elements:

<directory>

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	A name used to refer to the directory.	True
foldername	string	The directory's name (localizable)under the parent directory.	True

</directory>

Examples

Define a sample directory structure.

            <directories>
                <directory name="D__ACME" foldername="ACME" root="TARGETDIR" >
                    <directory name="D__ACME_MyProduct" foldername="My Product" />
                </directory>
            </directories>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Used to modify the environment variables of the target computer at runtime.

Parameters

Attribute

Type

Description

Required

name

string

The localizable name of the environment variable. The key values are written or removed depending upon which of the characters in the following table are prefixed to the name. There is no effect in the ordering of the symbols used in a prefix.

Prefix	Description
=	Create the environment variable if it does not exist, and then set it during installation. If the environment variable exists, set it during the installation.
+	Create the environment variable if it does not exist, then set it during installation. This has no effect on the value of the environment variable if it already exists.
-	Remove the environment variable when the component is removed. This symbol can be combined with any prefix.
!	Remove the environment variable during an installation. The installer only removes an environment variable during an installation if the name and value of the variable match the entries in the Name and Value fields of the Environment table. If you want to remove an environment variable, regardless of its value, use the '!' syntax, and leave the Value field empty.
*	This prefix is used with Microsoft® Windows® NT/Windows® 2000 to indicate that the name refers to a system environment variable. If no asterisk is present, the installer writes the variable to the user's environment. Microsoft Windows 95/98 ignores the asterisk and add the environment variable to autoexec.bat. This symbol can be combined with any prefix. A package that is used for per-machine installations should write environment variables to the machine's environment by including * in the Name column. For more information, see http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/msi/setup/environment_table.asp
=-	The environment variable is set on install and removed on uninstall. This is the usual behavior.
!-	Removes an environment variable during an install or uninstall.

More information can be found here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/msi/setup/environment_table.asp

True

append

string

Localizable value that is to be set as a formatted string

True

component

string

Refrence to a component. Allows the variabled to be modified when the component is un/installed.

True

Examples

Append the installation path to the user PATH variable.

            <environment>
                <variable name="PATH" append="'[TARGETDIR]'" component="C__MainFiles" />
            </environment>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Groups sets of files into named sets, these can be used to install and perform operations on a set of files as one entity.

Parameters

Attribute Type Description Required

name string A name used to refer to the component. True

id string A string GUID unique to this component, version, and language.

Note that the letters of these GUIDs must be uppercase. Utilities such as GUIDGEN can generate GUIDs containing lowercase letters. The lowercase letters must be changed to uppercase to make these valid component code GUIDs. True

attr

int

This column contains a bit flag that specifies options for remote execution. Add the indicated bit to the total value in the column to include an option.

Value	Description
0	Component cannot be run from source. Set this bit for all components belonging to a feature to prevent the feature from being run-from-network or run-from-source. Note that if a feature has no components, the feature always shows run-from-source and run-from-my-computer as valid options.
1	Component can only be run from source. Set this bit for all components belonging to a feature to prevent the feature from being run-from-my-computer. Note that if a feature has no components, the feature always shows run-from-source and run-from-my-computer as valid options.
2	Component can run locally or from source.
4	If this bit is set, the value in the key element is used as a key into the Registry table. If the Value field of the corresponding record in the Registry table is null, the Name field in that record must not contain "+", "-", or "*". For more information, see the description of the Name field in Registry table. Setting this bit is recommended for registry entries written to the HKCU hive. This ensures the installer writes the necessary HKCU registry entries when there are multiple users on the same machine.
16	If this bit is set, the installer does not remove the component during an uninstall. The installer registers an extra system client for the component in the Windows Installer registry settings.
32	If this bit is set, the value in the KeyPath column is a key into the ODBCDataSource table.
64	If this bit is set, the installer reevaluates the value of the statement in the Condition column upon a reinstall. If the value was previously False and has changed to True, the installer installs the component. If the value was previously True and has changed to False, the installer removes the component even if the component has other products as clients. This bit should only be set for transitive components. See Using Transitive Components.
128	If this bit is set, the installer does not install or reinstall the component if a key path file or a key path registry entry for the component already exists. The application does register itself as a client of the component. Use this flag only for components that are being registered by the Registry table.
256	Set this bit to mark this as a 64-bit component. This attribute facilitates the installation of packages that include both 32-bit and 64-bit components. If this bit is not set, the component is registered as a 32-bit component.

True

directory string Refrence to a directory. Defines the directory location for where the files assigned to the component are to be placed. True

feature string Refrence to a feature. Maps a feature to the component. Used to determine if the component is to be installed or not. True

condition string A conditional statement that can control whether a component is installed. If the condition is null or evaluates to true, then the component is enabled. If the condition evaluates to False, then the component is disabled and is not installed. False

fileattr

int

Integer containing bit flags representing file attributes.

The following table shows the definition of the bit field.

Value	Description
1	Read-Only
2	Hidden
4	System
512	The file is vital for the proper operation of the component to which it belongs
1024	The file contains a valid checksum. A checksum is required to repair a file that has become corrupted.
4096	This bit must only be added by a patch and if the file is being added by the patch.
8192	The file's source type is uncompressed. If set, ignore the Word Count Summary Property. If neither msidbFileAttributesNoncompressed or msidbFileAttributesCompressed are set, the compression state of the file is specified by the Word Count Summary Property. Do not set both msidbFileAttributesNoncompressed and msidbFileAttributesCompressed.
16384	The file's source type is compressed. If set, ignore the Word Count Summary Property. If neither msidbFileAttributesNoncompressed or msidbFileAttributesCompressed are set, the compression state of the file is specified by the Word Count Summary Property. Do not set both msidbFileAttributesNoncompressed and msidbFileAttributesCompressed.

False

checkinterop bool Used to determine if file(s) in the fileset are interop file(s). If true, extra information will be added in the install package to register each interop file. If false, the file(s) will not be not be checked and the extra registration information will not be added to the msi. False

installassembliestogac bool Used to determine if assemblies should be installed to the Global Assembly Cache. If true, all assemblies in the fileset will be added to the GAC. If false, the assemblies will be installed to the specified directory (as a normal file would). Note: If an assembly is specified to be installed into the GAC, it will not also be installed to the directory specified. False

keepsubdirs bool Used to determine if directories in the fileset should be built. If true, all subdirectories of the fileset basedir will be built. If false the directories structure will be flattened. The default is false. False

Nested Elements:

<keyfile>

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
file	string	Name of the key (file) to use. Also, this could be an id of a registry key value.	True

</keyfile>

<fileset>

Specifies the files to include with the component

</fileset>

<forceid>

Parameters

Attribute Type Description Required

file string Name of the file, in the fileset, to override. True

id string Unique GUID to assign to the file. True

attr

int

Integer containing bit flags representing file attributes.

The following table shows the definition of the bit field.

Value	Description
1	Read-Only
2	Hidden
4	System
512	The file is vital for the proper operation of the component to which it belongs
1024	The file contains a valid checksum. A checksum is required to repair a file that has become corrupted.
4096	This bit must only be added by a patch and if the file is being added by the patch.
8192	The file's source type is uncompressed. If set, ignore the Word Count Summary Property. If neither msidbFileAttributesNoncompressed or msidbFileAttributesCompressed are set, the compression state of the file is specified by the Word Count Summary Property. Do not set both msidbFileAttributesNoncompressed and msidbFileAttributesCompressed.
16384	The file's source type is compressed. If set, ignore the Word Count Summary Property. If neither msidbFileAttributesNoncompressed or msidbFileAttributesCompressed are set, the compression state of the file is specified by the Word Count Summary Property. Do not set both msidbFileAttributesNoncompressed and msidbFileAttributesCompressed.

False

version string This field is the version string for a versioned file. This field is blank for non-versioned files. False

language string A list of decimal language IDs separated by commas. False

checkinterop bool Used to determine if file is an interop file. If true, extra information will be added in the install package to register the interop file. If false, the file will not be not be checked and the extra registration information will not be added to the msi. False

installtogac bool If true, and if the file is an assembly, it will be installed to the GAC. If false, the file will be installed to the directory specified by the component. Note: If an assembly is specified to be installed into the GAC, it will not also be installed to the directory specified. False

</forceid>

Examples

Define a sample component structure.

            <components>
                <component name="C__MainFiles" id="{26AA7144-E683-441D-9843-3C79AEC1C636}" attr="2" directory="TARGETDIR" feature="F__MainFiles" >
                    <key file="default.aspx" />
                    <fileset basedir="${install.dir}">
                        <include name="*.*" />
                    </fileset>
                </component>
            </components>

Install files to TARGETDIR and assemblies to the GAC (Global Assembly Cache). Do not install MyOtherAssembly.dll to the GAC, but rather install it with the other files (to TARGETDIR)

            <components>
                <component name="C__MainFiles" id="{26AA7144-E683-441D-9843-3C79AEC1C636}" attr="2" directory="TARGETDIR" feature="F__MainFiles" installassembliestogac="true" >
                    <key file="MyAssemblyName.xml" />
                    <fileset basedir="${install.dir}">
                        <include name="*.*" />
                    </fileset>
                    <forceid file="MyOtherAssembly.dll" id="_4EB7CCB23D394958988ED817DA00B9D1" installtogac="false" />
                </component>
            </components>

Assign a registry entry to a specific component.

            <components>
                <component name="C__RegistryEntry" id="{06C654AA-273D-4E39-885C-3E5225D9F336}" attr="4" directory="TARGETDIR" feature="F__DefaultFeature" >
                    <key file="R__822EC365A8754FACBF6C713BFE4E57F0" />
                </component>
            </components> 
            .
            .
            .
            <registry>
                <key path="SOFTWARE\MyCompany\MyProduct\" root="machine" component="C__RegistryEntry">
                     <value id="R__822EC365A8754FACBF6C713BFE4E57F0" name="MyKeyName" value="MyKeyValue" />
                </key>
            </registry>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Creates custom dialogs that can gather information not handled by the default installer template.

Parameters

Attribute

Type

Description

Required

name

string

A name used to refer to the dialog.

True

hcenter

int

Horizontal position of the dialog box. The range is 0 to 100, with 0 at the left edge of the screen and 100 at the right edge.

True

vcenter

int

Vertical position of the dialog box. The range is 0 to 100, with 0 at the top edge of the screen and 100 at the bottom edge.

True

width

int

Width of the rectangular boundary of the dialog box. This number must be non-negative.

True

height

int

Height of the rectangular boundary of the dialog box. This number must be non-negative.

True

attr

int

A 32-bit word that specifies the attribute flags to be applied to this dialog box. This number must be non-negative.

Value	Description
1	Visible
2	Modal
4	Minimize
8	SysModal
16	KeepModeless
32	TrackDiskSpace
64	UseCustomPalette
128	RTLRO
256	RightAligned
512	LeftScroll
896	BiDi
65536	Error

More information here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/msi/setup/dialog_style_bits.asp

True

title

string

A localizable text string specifying the title to be displayed in the title bar of the dialog box.

True

firstcontrol

string

An external key to the second column of the Control table. Combining this field with the Dialog field identifies a unique control in the Control table. This defines the control that takes the focus when the dialog box is created. This column is ignored in an Error dialog box.

Because static text cannot take the focus, a Text control that describes an Edit, PathEdit, ListView, ComboBox or VolumeSelectCombo control must be made the first control in the dialog box to ensure compatibility with screen readers.

True

defaultcontrol

string

An external key to the second column of the Control table. Combining this field with the Dialog field results in a primary key into the Control table that defines the default control. Hitting the Return key is equivalent to clicking on the default control. If this column is left blank, then there is no default control. This column is ignored in the Error dialog box.

True

cancelcontrol

string

An external key to the second column of the Control table. Combining this field with the Dialog field results in a primary key of the Control table that defines the cancel control. Hitting the ESC key or clicking the Close button in the dialog box is equivalent to clicking on the cancel control. This column is ignored in an Error dialog box.

The cancel control is hidden during rollback or the removal of backed up files. The protected UI handler hides the control upon receiving a INSTALLMESSAGE_COMMONDATA message.

True

Examples

Add a web folder dialog:

            <dialogs>
                <dialog name="WebFolderDlg" hcenter="50" vcenter="50" width="370" height="270" attr="39" title="[ProductName] [Setup]" firstcontrol="Next" defaultcontrol="Next" cancelcontrol="Cancel" />
            </dialogs>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Creates user interface controls displayed on custom dialogs.

Parameters

Attribute Type Description Required

name string Name of the control. This name must be unique within a dialog box but can be repeated on different dialog boxes. True

dialog string Refrence to a dialog. Used to associate the control with the dialog. True

type

string

The type of the control.

Control name	Description
Billboard	Displays billboards based on progress messages.
Bitmap	Displays a static picture of a bitmap.
CheckBox	A two-state check box.
ComboBox	A drop-down list with an edit field.
DirectoryCombo	Select all except the last segment of the path.
DirectoryList	Displays folders below the main part of path.
Edit	A regular edit field for any string or integer.
GroupBox	Displays a rectangle that groups other controls together.
Icon	Displays a static picture of an icon.
Line	Displays a horizontal line.
ListBox	A drop-down list without an edit field.
ListView	Displays a column of values with icons for selection.
MaskedEdit	An edit field with a mask in the text field.
PathEdit	Displays folder name or entire path in an edit field.
ProgressBar	Bar graph that changes length as it receives progress messages.
PushButton	Displays a basic push button.
RadioButtonGroup	A group of radio buttons.
ScrollableText	Displays a long string of text.
SelectionTree	Displays information from the Feature table and enables the user to change their selection state.
Text	Displays static text.
VolumeCostList	Displays costing information on different volumes.
VolumeSelectCombo	Selects volume from an alphabetical list.

More information found here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/msi/setup/controls.asp

True

x int Horizontal coordinate of the upper-left corner of the rectangular boundary of the control. This must be a non-negative number. True

y int Vertical coordinate of the upper-left corner of the rectangular boundary of the control. This must be a non-negative number. True

width int Width of the rectangular boundary of the control. This must be a non-negative number. True

height int Height of the rectangular boundary of the control. This must be a non-negative number. True

attr int A 32-bit word that specifies the bit flags to be applied to this control. This must be a non-negative number, and the allowed values depend upon the type of control.For a list of all control attributes, and the value to enter in this field, see Control Attributes. True

property string The name of a defined property to be linked to this control. Radio button, list box, and combo box values are tied into a group by being linked to the same property. This column is required for active controls and is ignored by static controls. False

text string A localizable string used to set the initial text contained in a control. The string can also contain embedded properties. False

nextcontrol string The name of another control on the same dialog box. If the focus in the dialog box is on the control in the Control column, hitting the tab key moves the focus to the control listed here. Therefore this is used to specify the tab order of the controls on the dialog box. The links between the controls must form a closed cycle. Some controls, such as static text controls, can be left out of the cycle. In that case, this field may be left blank. False

help string Optional, localizable text strings that are used with the Help button. The string is divided into two parts by a separator character (|). The first part of the string is used as ToolTip text. This text is used by screen readers for controls that contain a picture. The second part of the string is reserved for future use. The separator character is required even if only one of the two kinds of text is present. False

remove bool If true, the control is removed. If false, the control is added. False

Examples

Remove the Browse button from the customize dialog and add controls for a web dialog

            <controls>
                <!-- Remove the Browse button from customize dialog -->
                <control dialog="CustomizeDlg" name="Browse" type="PushButton"
                    x="304" y="200" width="56" height="17" attr="3" remove="true" />
                <control dialog="CustomizeDlg" name="Tree" type="SelectionTree"
                    x="25" y="85" width="175" height="95" attr="7" remove="true" />
                            <!-- Re add the tree control with the proper next control -->
                <control dialog="CustomizeDlg" name="Tree" type="SelectionTree"
                    x="25" y="85" width="175" height="95" attr="7" 
                    property="_BrowseProperty" text="Tree of selections" nextcontrol="Reset" />
                            <!-- Adds the controls associated with the webfolder dialog -->
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="BannerBitmap" type="Bitmap" 
                    x="0" y="0" width="374" height="44" attr="1" 
                    text="[BannerBitmap]" nextcontrol="VDirLabel" />
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="Title" type="Text" 
                    x="15" y="6" width="200" height="15" attr="196611" 
                    text="[DlgTitleFont]Virtual Directory Information" />
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="Description" type="Text" 
                    x="25" y="23" width="280" height="15" attr="196611" 
                    text="Please enter your virtual directory and port information." />
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="BannerLine" type="Line" 
                    x="0" y="44" width="374" height="0" attr="1" />
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="VDirLabel" type="Text" 
                    x="18" y="73" width="348" height="15" attr="3" 
                    text="&Virtual directory:" 
                    nextcontrol="Edit_VDir" />            
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="Edit_VDir" type="Edit" 
                    x="18" y="85" width="252" height="18" attr="7" 
                    property="TARGETVDIR" 
                    text="[TARGETVDIR]" 
                    nextcontrol="PortLabel" />
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="PortLabel" type="Text" 
                    x="18" y="110" width="348" height="15" attr="3" 
                    text="&Port:" 
                    nextcontrol="Edit_Port" />            
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="Edit_Port" type="Edit" 
                    x="18" y="122" width="48" height="18" attr="7" 
                    property="TARGETPORT" 
                    text="[TARGETPORT]" 
                    nextcontrol="Back" />
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="BottomLine" type="Line" 
                    x="0" y="234" width="374" height="0" attr="1" />                
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="Back" type="PushButton" 
                    x="180" y="243" width="56" height="17" attr="3" 
                    text="[ButtonText_Back]" nextcontrol="Next" />
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="Next" type="PushButton" 
                    x="236" y="243" width="56" height="17" attr="3" 
                    text="[ButtonText_Next]" nextcontrol="Cancel" />
                <control dialog="WebFolderDlg" name="Cancel" type="PushButton" 
                    x="304" y="243" width="56" height="17" attr="3" 
                    text="[ButtonText_Cancel]" nextcontrol="BannerBitmap" />
            </controls>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Used to validate and perform operations as the result of information entered by the user into controls on custom dialogs.

Parameters

Attribute Type Description Required

dialog string Refrence to a dialog. Used to associate the control with the dialog. True

control string Refrence to a control. Maps to a control for the specified dialog. True

action

string

The action that is to be taken on the control. The possible actions are shown in the following table.

Value	Description
Default	Set control as the default.
Disable	Disable the control.
Enable	Enable the control.
Hide	Hide the control.
Show	Display the control.

True

condition string A conditional statement that specifies under which conditions the action should be triggered. If this statement does not evaluate to TRUE, the action does not take place. If it is set to 1, the action is always applied. True

remove bool If true, the control condition is removed. If false, the control condition is added. False

Examples

Remove the control condition for the Browse button from the customize dialog and add control conditions for a web dialog

            <controlconditions>
                <!-- Remove control condition for Browse button on customizeDlg -->
                <controlcondition dialog="CustomizeDlg" control="Browse" action="Hide"
                    condition="Installed" remove="true" />
                <!-- Add control conditions for the web folder dialog -->
                <controlcondition dialog="WebFolderDlg" control="Back" action="Disable"
                    condition="ShowUserRegistrationDlg=""" />
                <controlcondition dialog="WebFolderDlg" control="Back" action="Enable"
                    condition="ShowUserRegistrationDlg<>""" />
            </controlconditions>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Used to route the flow of the installation process as the result of events raised by the user interacting with controls on dialogs.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
dialog	string	Refrence to a dialog. Used to associate the control with the dialog.	True
control	string	Refrence to a control. Maps to a control for the specified dialog.	True
name	string	An identifier that specifies the type of event that should take place when the user interacts with the control specified by Dialog_ and Control_. For a list of possible values see ControlEvent Overview. To set a property with a control, put [Property_Name] in this field and the new value in the argument field. Put { } into the argument field to enter the null value.	True
argument	string	A value used as a modifier when triggering a particular event.	True
condition	string	A conditional statement that determines whether the installer activates the event in the Event column. The installer triggers the event if the conditional statement in the Condition field evaluates to True. Therefore put a 1 in this column to ensure that the installer triggers the event. The installer does not trigger the event if the Condition field contains a statement that evaluates to False. The installer does not trigger an event with a blank in the Condition field unless no other events of the control evaluate to True. If none of the Condition fields for the control named in the Control_ field evaluate to True, the installer triggers the one event having a blank Condition field, and if more than one Condition field is blank it triggers the one event of these with the largest value in the Ordering field.	False
order	int	An integer used to order several events tied to the same control. This must be a non-negative number.	False
remove	bool	If `true`, the control condition is removed. If `false`, the control condition is added.	False

Examples

Remove the control events for the Browse button from the customize dialog and add events conditions for a web dialog

          
            <controlevents>
                <!-- Remove the old control events -->
                <controlevent dialog="UserRegistrationDlg" control="Next" name="NewDialog" 
                    argument="SetupTypeDlg" condition="ProductID" remove="true" />
                <controlevent dialog="SetupTypeDlg" control="Back" name="NewDialog" 
                    argument="LicenseAgreementDlg" condition="ShowUserRegistrationDlg <> 1" remove="true" />
                <controlevent dialog="SetupTypeDlg" control="Back" name="NewDialog" 
                    argument="UserRegistrationDlg" condition="ShowUserRegistrationDlg = 1" remove="true" />
                <!-- Remove control events for Browse button on CustomizeDlg -->
                <controlevent dialog="CustomizeDlg" control="Browse" name="SelectionBrowse" 
                    argument="BrowseDlg" condition="1" remove="true" />                
                            <!-- Add new control events for the web dialog -->
                <controlevent dialog="UserRegistrationDlg" control="Next" name="NewDialog" 
                    argument="WebFolderDlg" condition="ProductID" />                        
                <controlevent dialog="SetupTypeDlg" control="Back" name="NewDialog" 
                    argument="WebFolderDlg" condition="ShowWebFolderDlg <> 1" />
                <controlevent dialog="SetupTypeDlg" control="Back" name="NewDialog" 
                    argument="WebFolderDlg" condition="ShowWebFolderDlg = 1" />
                <controlevent dialog="WebFolderDlg" control="Cancel" name="SpawnDialog" 
                    argument="CancelDlg" order="0" />
                <controlevent dialog="WebFolderDlg" control="Back" name="NewDialog" 
                    argument="LicenseAgreementDlg" condition="ShowUserRegistrationDlg<>1" 
                    order="0" />
                <controlevent dialog="WebFolderDlg" control="Back" name="NewDialog" 
                    argument="UserRegistrationDlg" condition="ShowUserRegistrationDlg=1" 
                    order="0" />
                <!-- Virtual Directory Control Events -->
                <controlevent dialog="WebFolderDlg" control="Next" name="DoAction" 
                    argument="WEBCA_CreateURLs" condition="1" order="0" />
                <controlevent dialog="WebFolderDlg" control="Next" name="DoAction" 
                    argument="WEBCA_EvaluateURLsMB" condition="1" order="1" />
                <controlevent dialog="WebFolderDlg" control="Next" name="SetTargetPath" 
                    argument="TARGETDIR" condition="1" order="2" />
                <controlevent dialog="WebFolderDlg" control="Next" name="NewDialog" 
                    argument="SetupTypeDlg" condition="1" order="3" />
            </controlevents>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Makes modifications to the Windows Registry of the target computer at runtime.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
component	string	Refrence to a component. The component that controls the installation of the registry value.	True
root	msi:MSIRegistryKeyRoot	Valid input: `dependent` - If this is a per-user installation, the registry value is written under HKEY_CURRENT_USER. If this is a per-machine installation, the registry value is written under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Note that a per-machine installation is specified by setting the ALLUSERS property to 1. `machine` represents HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE `classes` represents HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT `user` represents HKEY_CURRENT_USER `users` represents HKEY_USERS	True
path	string	Registry key.	True

Nested Elements:

<value>

Attribute

Type

Description

Required

name

string

The registry value name (localizable). If this is Null, then the data entered into the Value column are written to the default registry key.

If the Value column is Null, then the strings shown in the following table in the Name column have special significance.

String	Description
+	The key is to be created, if absent, when the component is installed.
-	The key is to be deleted, if present, with all of its values and subkeys, when the component is uninstalled.
*	The key is to be created, if absent, when the component is installed. Additionally, the key is to be deleted, if present, with all of its values and subkeys, when the component is uninstalled.

False

value

string

The localizable registry value. The field is Formatted. If the value is attached to one of the following prefixes (i.e. #%value) then the value is interpreted as described in the table. Note that each prefix begins with a number sign (#). If the value begins with two or more consecutive number signs (#), the first # is ignored and value is interpreted and stored as a string.

Prefix	Description
#x	The value is interpreted and stored as a hexadecimal value (REG_BINARY).
#%	The value is interpreted and stored as an expandable string (REG_EXPAND_SZ).
#	The value is interpreted and stored as an integer (REG_DWORD).

If the value contains the sequence tilde [~], then the value is interpreted as a Null-delimited list of strings (REG_MULTI_SZ). For example, to specify a list containing the three strings a, b and c, use "a[~]b[~]c."
The sequence [~] within the value separates the individual strings and is interpreted and stored as a Null character.
If a [~] precedes the string list, the strings are to be appended to any existing registry value strings. If an appending string already occurs in the registry value, the original occurrence of the string is removed.
If a [~] follows the end of the string list, the strings are to be prepended to any existing registry value strings. If a prepending string already occurs in the registry value, the original occurrence of the string is removed.
If a [~] is at both the beginning and the end or at neither the beginning nor the end of the string list, the strings are to replace any existing registry value strings.
Otherwise, the value is interpreted and stored as a string (REG_SZ).

False

dword

string

A dword value to input, if the value attribute is null. This removes the requirement of adding "#" before the value.

False

id

string

Primary key used to identify a registry record.

False

</value>

Examples

Add the a couple registry entries on the target machine.

            <registry>
                <key component="C__MainFiles" root="machine" path="SOFTWARE\ACME\My Product\" >
                    <value name="ProductVersion" value="1.0.0" />
                    <value name="ProductDir" value="[TARGETDIR]" />
                    <value name="VirtualDir" value="[TARGETVDIR]" />
                </key>
            </registry>

Add a default key value to the specified registry key path

            <registry>
                <key component="C__MainFiles" root="machine" path="SOFTWARE\ACME\My Product\" >
                    <value value="1.0.0" />
                </key>
            </registry>

Another way to add a default key value to the specified registry key path

            <registry>
                <key component="C__MainFiles" root="machine" path="SOFTWARE\ACME\My Product\" >
                    <value name="" value="1.0.0" />
                </key>
            </registry>

Specify hexadecimal value (REG_BINARY) for the default key

            <registry>
                <key component="C__MainFiles" root="machine" path="SOFTWARE\ACME\My Product\" >
                    <value>
            1a,81,0a,03,01,00,06,00,00,00,d3,15,fd,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,01,
            00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,b0,90,ce,09,01,00,00,00,00,00,ff,ff,ff,00,
            00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,6d,7a,0a,03,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,38,40,00,00,00,
            00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,90,01,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,0f,00,00,00,
            f0,ff,ff,ff,54,69,6d,65,73,20,4e,65,77,20,52,6f,6d,61,6e,f4,6f,d4,08,02,00
                    </value>
                </key>
            </registry>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Stores icons to be used with shortcuts, file extensions, CLSIDs or similar uses.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	Name of the icon file.	True
value	string	The binary icon data in PE (.dll or .exe) or icon (.ico) format.	True

Examples

Add a compiled help icon to the msi database; To be used with a shortcut.

            <icons>
                <icon name="CHMICON" value="${resource.dir}\chm.ico" />
            </icons>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Creates shortcuts on the target computer.

Parameters

Attribute

Type

Description

Required

name

string

Unique name identifying the shortcut.

True

Nested Elements:

<description>

The localizable description of the shortcut.

</description>

Examples

Add a compiled help icon to the msi database; To be used with a shortcut.

            <shortcuts>
                <shortcut name="HelpFiles" directory="D__PROGRAMMENU_ACME_MYPRODUCT" filename="Help File" component="C__MainFiles" target="[$C__MainFiles]\Help.chm" icon="CHMICON" iconindex="0" showcmd="3" >
                    <description>My Product help documentation</description>
                </shortcut>
            </shortcuts>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Stores the binary data for items such as bitmaps, animations, and icons. The binary table is also used to store data for custom actions.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	A unique key that identifies the particular binary data. If the binary data is for a control, the key appears in the Text column of the associated control in the Control table. This key must be unique among all controls requiring binary data.	True
value	string	The binary file to add.	True

Examples

Add the custom action dll to create/modify virtual directories

            <binaries>
                <binary name="MSVBDPCADLL" value="${resource.dir}\MSVBDPCA.DLL" />
            </binaries>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Used to configure executables that may be run during steps in the installation process to do things outside the bounds of MSI technology's feature set. This is the main spot you can extend MSI technology to perform custom processes via compiled code.

Parameters

Attribute

Type

Description

Required

action

string

Name of the action. The action normally appears in a sequence table unless it is called by another custom action. If the name matches any built-in action, then the custom action is never called.

True

type

string

A field of flag bits specifying the basic type of custom action and options. See Summary List of All Custom Action Types for a list of the basic types. See Custom Action Return Processing Options, Custom Action Execution Scheduling Options, Custom Action Hidden Target Option, and Custom Action In-Script Execution Options.

True

source

string

A property name or external key into another table. For a discussion of the possible custom action sources, see Custom Action Sources and the Summary List of All Custom Action Types. For example, the Source column may contain an external key into the first column of one of the following tables containing the source of the custom action code.

Directory table for calling existing executables.

File table for calling executables and DLLs that have just been installed.

Binary table for calling executables, DLLs, and data stored in the database.

Property table for calling executables whose paths are held by a property.

True

target

string

An execution parameter that depends on the basic type of custom action. See the Summary List of All Custom Action Types for a description of what should be entered in this field for each type of custom action. For example, this field may contain the following depending on the custom action.

Target	Custom Action
Entry point (required)	Calling a DLL.
Executable name with arguments (required)	Calling an existing executable.
Command line arguments (optional)	Calling an executable just installed.
Target file name (required)	Creating a file from custom data.
Null	Executing script code.

True

Examples

Add some custom actions related to the virtual directory dialog and custom action.

            <customactions>
                <!-- Custom actions creating entry points into the custom action dll specified in the binary table -->
                <customaction action="WEBCA_GatherWebFolderProperties" type="1" source="MSVBDPCADLL" target="GatherWebFolderProperties" />
                <customaction action="WEBCA_ApplyWebFolderProperties" type="1537" source="MSVBDPCADLL" target="ApplyWebFolderProperties" />
                <customaction action="WEBCA_RollbackApplyWebFolderProperties" type="1281" source="MSVBDPCADLL" target="RollbackApplyWebFolderProperties" />
                <customaction action="WEBCA_CreateURLs" type="1" source="MSVBDPCADLL" target="CreateURLs" />
                <customaction action="WEBCA_EvaluateURLs" type="1" source="MSVBDPCADLL" target="EvaluateURLs" />
                <customaction action="WEBCA_EvaluateURLsNoFail" type="1" source="MSVBDPCADLL" target="EvaluateURLsNoFail" />
                <customaction action="WEBCA_EvaluateURLsMB" type="1" source="MSVBDPCADLL" target="EvaluateURLsMB" />
                <customaction action="WEBCA_CreateAppRoots" type="1" source="MSVBDPCADLL" target="CreateAppRoots" />
                
                <!-- Custom actions to set default control values in the webfolder dialog -->
                <customaction action="WEBCA_TARGETVDIR" type="307" source="TARGETVDIR" target="Default VDir" />
                <customaction action="WEBCA_TARGETPORT" type="307" source="TARGETPORT" target="80" />
            </customactions>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Used to modify the sequence of tasks/events that execute during the overall installation process.

Parameters

Attribute Type Description Required

type

msi:MSISequenceTable

Valid inputs:

installexecute represents InstallExecuteSequence Table.
installui represents InstallUISequence Table
adminexecute represents AdminExecuteSequence Table
adminui represents AdminUISequence Table
advtexecute represents AdvtUISequence Table

True

action string Name of the action to execute. This is either a built-in action or a custom action. True

value

int

Number that determines the sequence position in which this action is to be executed.

A positive value represents the sequence position. A Null value indicates that the action is not executed. The following negative values indicate that this action is to be executed if the installer returns the associated termination flag. No more than one action may have a negative value entered in the Sequence field.

Value	Description
-1	Successful completion.
-2	User terminates install.
-3	Fatal exit terminates.
-4	Install is suspended.

True

condition string This field contains a conditional expression. If the expression evaluates to False, then the action is skipped. If the expression syntax is invalid, then the sequence terminates, returning iesBadActionData. False

Examples

Add the sequences to support virtual directories

            <sequences>
                <sequence type="installexecute" action="WEBCA_TARGETVDIR" value="750" condition="TARGETVDIR=&quot;&quot;" />
                <sequence type="installexecute" action="WEBCA_TARGETPORT" value="750" condition="TARGETPORT=&quot;&quot;" />                                    
                <sequence type="installexecute" action="WEBCA_CreateURLs" value="752" condition="NOT Installed" />
                <sequence type="installexecute" action="WEBCA_EvaluateURLs" value="753" condition="NOT Installed" />
                <sequence type="installexecute" action="WEBCA_GatherWebFolderProperties" value="3701" condition="NOT Installed" />
                <sequence type="installexecute" action="WEBCA_ApplyWebFolderProperties" value="3701" condition="NOT Installed" />
                <sequence type="installexecute" action="WEBCA_RollbackApplyWebFolderProperties" value="3701" condition="NOT Installed" />
                <sequence type="installexecute" action="WEBCA_CreateAppRoots" value="3701" condition="NOT Installed" />
                <sequence type="installui" action="WEBCA_TARGETVDIR" value="750" condition="TARGETVDIR=&quot;&quot;" />
                <sequence type="installui" action="WEBCA_TARGETPORT" value="750" condition="TARGETPORT=&quot;&quot;" />
                <sequence type="installui" action="WEBCA_CreateURLs" value="752" condition="NOT Installed" />
                <sequence type="installui" action="WEBCA_EvaluateURLsNoFail" value="753" condition="NOT Installed" />
                <sequence type="adminexecute" action="WEBCA_TARGETVDIR" value="750" condition="TARGETVDIR=&quot;&quot;" />
                <sequence type="adminexecute" action="WEBCA_TARGETPORT" value="750" condition="TARGETPORT=&quot;&quot;" />
                <sequence type="adminexecute" action="WEBCA_CreateURLs" value="752" condition="NOT Installed" />
                <sequence type="adminexecute" action="WEBCA_EvaluateURLs" value="753" condition="NOT Installed" />
                <sequence type="adminui" action="WEBCA_TARGETVDIR" value="750" condition="TARGETVDIR=&quot;&quot;" />
                <sequence type="adminui" action="WEBCA_TARGETPORT" value="750" condition="TARGETPORT=&quot;&quot;" />
                <sequence type="adminui" action="WEBCA_CreateURLs" value="752" condition="NOT Installed" />
                <sequence type="adminui" action="WEBCA_EvaluateURLsNoFail" value="753" condition="NOT Installed" />                        
            </sequences>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Creates text to be displayed in a progress dialog box and written to the log for actions that take a long time to execute. The text displayed consists of the action description and optionally formatted data from the action. The entries in the ActionText table typically refer to actions in sequence tables.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	Unique name identifying the action.	True
template	string	A localized format template is used to format action data records for display during action execution. If no template is supplied, then the action data will not be displayed.	False

Nested Elements:

<description>

Localized description displayed in the progress dialog box or written to the log when the action is executing.

</description>

Examples

Add the related action text for the web folder actions.

            <actiontext>
                <action name="WEBCA_GatherWebFolderProperties" >
                    <description>Gathering web folder properties</description>
                </action>
                <action name="WEBCA_ApplyWebFolderProperties" >
                    <description>Applying web folder properties</description>
                </action>
                <action name="WEBCA_RollbackApplyWebFolderProperties" >
                    <description>Removing web folder properties</description>
                </action>
                <action name="WEBCA_CreateURLs" >
                    <description>Creating URLs</description>
                </action>
                <action name="WEBCA_EvaluateURLs" >
                    <description>Evaluating URLs</description>
                </action>
                <action name="WEBCA_EvaluateURLsNoFail" >
                    <description>Evaluating URLs and do not fail if URL is invalid</description>
                </action>
                <action name="WEBCA_EvaluateURLsMB" >
                    <description>Evaluating URLs</description>
                </action>
                <action name="WEBCA_CreateAppRoots" >
                    <description>Creating application roots</description>
                </action>
                <action name="WEBCA_TARGETVDIR" >
                    <description>Set TARGETVDIR property to the specified virtual dir</description>
                </action>
                <action name="WEBCA_TARGETPORT" >
                    <description>Set TARGETPORT property to the specified virtual dir port</description>
                </action>
            </actiontext>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Adds Verbs and a handler for the specified file type.

Note: This not an officially Microsoft supported table.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
directory	string	Refrence to a directory. The directory to add the specific verb/handler to IIS for the specified file type.	True
extension	string	File name extension to specifically handle	False
exepath	string	Path to the Internet Server API (ISAPI) or Common Gateway Interface (CGI) program to run to process a request.	False
verbs	string	Internet Information Services verbs that are allowed for the executable file. Only verbs entered in this field will be allowed.	False

Examples

Add the aspx app mapping

            <appmappings>
                <appmapping directory="D__ACME_MyProduct" extension=".aspx" exepath="[DOTNETFOLDER]aspnet_isapi.dll" verbs="GET,HEAD,POST,DEBUG" />
            </appmappings>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Determines the local path equivalent for a url and stores this information in a property.

Note: This not an officially Microsoft supported table.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	The name of the URLProperty to convert	True
property	string	The name of the property to store the directory information.	True

Examples

Convert the TARGETURL property to a directory and store that information in TARGETDIR

            <urlproperties>
                <urlproperty name="TARGETURL" property="TARGETDIR" />
            </urlproperties>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Creates a URLProperty representing the virtual directory and port.

Note: This not an officially Microsoft supported table.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
name	string	Property containing the virtual directory	True
portproperty	string	Property containing the network port number to use.	True
urlproperty	string	URLProperty to store the url in	True

Examples

Convert the virtual directory and port to a url and store the value in a property.

            <vdirproperties>
                <vdirproperty name="TARGETVDIR" portproperty="TARGETPORT" urlproperty="TARGETURL" />
            </vdirproperties>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Create a Web application definition and marks it as running in-process or out-of-process. If an application already exists at the specified path, you can use this method to reconfigure the application from in-process to out-of-process, or the reverse.

Note: This not an officially Microsoft supported table.

Parameters

Attribute	Type	Description	Required
component	string	Reference to a component. Determines when the approot will be created.	True
urlproperty	string	URLProperty with stored url	True
inprocflag	int	Specifies whether the application being created is to run in-process (0), out-of-process (1), or in a pooled process (2). If the application already exists and is running, changing the value of this flag will cause the application definition to be deleted and a new application created to run in the specified process space.	True

Examples

Convert the virtual directory and port to a url and store the value in a property.

            <approots>
                <approot component="C__MainFiles" urlproperty="TARGETURL" inprocflag="2" />
            </approots>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.

Specifies directory security in IIS. Can also configure the default documents supported by each directory.

Note: This not an officially Microsoft supported table.

Parameters

Attribute

Type

Description

Required

Examples

Specify permissions for the directory structure.

            <iisproperties>
                <iisproperty directory="TARGETDIR" attr="626" defaultdoc="Default.aspx" />
                <iisproperty directory="D__BIN" attr="112" />
                <iisproperty directory="D__SomeSubDir" attr="114" />
            </iisproperties>

Represents the an element based on a schema definition.