MAKEMSI 09.045

MAKEMSI 09.045 is a freeware tool which enables you to easily and reliably create low overhead "MSI" or "Windows Installer" based installers. Windows Installer is a Microsoft developed and backed installer format or technology for building reliable installation packages. It is written by a Microsoft MVP to create or update MSI (Windows Installer) based installers for files, registry etc using an XML like script. It has command line support for use in unattended builds (NMAKE, ANT, NANT builds etc). It builds a HTML report by default (with a "file verify" button). For both beginners and advanced users.

Common processes can be defined once and reused in multiple projects (templates). It has extensive documentation and a large user group (500+ members). A MSI compare or disassemble tool is available which generates MAKEMSI output, this is commonly used by people wishing to automate tasks they currently use ORCA for.It also has a framework for easy MSM (merge module) and CUB (MSI validation suite) building.

MAKEMSI utilizes simple XML like text files for the reliable creation (or updating) of MSI based installers. Once set up subsequent rebuilds are automated, reliable, quick and in general require no MSI skills. Not only does MAKEMSI build the MSI but it creates HTML documentation for it as well! As an MSI creator MAKEMSI generates small files, unlike those built by other tools which can be huge!

MAKEMSI is aimed at both beginners as well as advanced users. If required you have full control over every Windows Installer table and row (you can even create your own). You can also just point MAKEMSI at a complete directory tree or a registry file and it will create the appropriate Windows Installer entries (components, GUIDs, cab files) and doing this doesn't prevent the use of the more advanced capabilities. MAKEMSI can actually build or update any Windows Installer database types, for example ICE validation suites or merge modules. It is the simplest tool available for MSI automation.

You can create an MSI (or other windows installer databases) via Windows Explorer shell extensions or the command line and not only is the process both fast and "hands off" but it can be built into automated build procedures (perhaps using NMAKE, ANT, NANT or even just batch files etc).

MAKEMSI can gather required information from virtually anywhere (such as SQL databases or text files).

You can perform low level table and row manipulation, use MAKEMSI's higher level macros or both (that is you have as much or as little control over how the MSI is created as you want or need).

Major Features:

1. Automatically handle files opened by applications (in use).
2. Enable deployment (with or without elevated priviledges) to all boxes in a network via Group Policy/Active Directory. Corporate customers will definately prefer (or in fact generally require) MSI based installers due to their ease of deployment.
3. Restore points at package install and uninstall.
4. Self heal (repair) of files or registry entries.
5. Install on demand (resources not installed until required).
6. Install or uninstall via command line parameters in a standard way (automatic support for silent or unattended installs).
7. Allow merging of common "runtime files" (via Microsoft or other 3rd party merge modules).
   

 WareSeeker Editor