How to create MSI setup file programmatically

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Hi,

I want to create a software program that can create MSI setup file just like Installshield or advance installer. I want to create this program in Visual C++ but I do not have any idea that how to create the MSI file programmaticaly in Visual C++.

I will be thankful to any kind of help or suggestion.

Bye.

What I have tried:

I am reading microsoft documentation but I can not get all the details.

Posted 19-Apr-19 6:31am

irfankhan200

Updated 19-Apr-19 9:12am

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#realJSOP 19-Apr-19 14:54pm

This would be a HUGE project. Why don't you just use what's already available?

KarstenK 22-Apr-19 13:44pm

Setups can get really nasty - see them as a own project. Use some tool and dont try tricks to save your time and avoid headaches.

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Maximilien · Answer 1 · 2019-04-19T09:13:00

With great difficulty and effort and a lot of blood; that is why there are less than a handful installer software around.

MSI are "simply" database tables representing components, features and file lists (and lots of other tables)

To make all of this, you need to download the SDK and look at the different tools and example it comes with.

Good luck.

Windows SDK Components for Windows Installer Developers - Windows applications | Microsoft Docs[^]

Windows Installer Examples - Windows applications | Microsoft Docs[^]

Windows Installer - Windows applications | Microsoft Docs[^]