When an application installs, executable files, DLL, registry settings, registered components and other configuration items are installed on a computer. This can lead to problems if two programs use the same objects. To prevent these problems, Windows Installer is designed. It puts applications to be installed in a .msi package which can install, de-install, rollback and repair and application. MSI files can be scripted so an application installs when a particular user logs on.
New applications with the 'Designed for Windows 2000' logo will offer a .msi file to install the application. If the application does not offer a .msi file, you can use a light version of WinInstall (d:\valueadd\3rdparty\mgmt\winstle\swiadmle.msi) to create one. After the installation of this tool, you can use snapshots to create .msi files and use the Software Console to modify .msi files. You can also convert SMS packages to .msi files with a SMS-utility.
Software packages can be made available to users for installation as part of their Active Directory Group Policy Object (GPO). Applications are part of the desktop settings of a GPO. Software installations are one of these desktop settings. You can publish software to users, assign to users or assign it to computers. Publish software is optional to install, assigned software offers a mandatory installation.
When you use Windows Installer to install a program, you sometimes must still enter the product ID. You can send this information with the MSIEXEC command:
msiexec /a [msi file] PIDKEY="[CD key]"
You can also supply USERNAME=[user name], COMPANYNAME=[companyname], USERINITIALS=[user initials].
The Windows Installer Cleanup Utility (Msicuu.exe) is included in the support tools to clean up registry entries associated with an application after an installation via Windows installer was interupted.
You can use the resource kit utility instaler.exe to see the status of an installed application.
For more info see summary software distribution.
| The Windows installer service |
| Wise for Windows installer |
| PictureTaker enterprise edition 3.1 (Windows 2000 magazine jan 2001) |
| Lanovation's PictureTaker |
| Desktop DNA 2.0 (Windows 2000 magazine feb 2001) |
| Miramar's Desktop DNA |
Last update : 4 December 2001