Create a MSI which only copy files
Hi guys,
I need to create a MSI which is only copying files to an installation folder as part as a second package for an apps.
I'm not really sure how to do that. Anyone can help?
They originally use a batch file which does that:
set TTWINPATH="C:\ProgramData\Turbosoft\TTWin4"
copy /Y ttwin.ini %TTWINPATH%
copy /Y ttwin.tcf %TTWINPATH%
copy /Y *.cmd %TTWINPATH%
copy /Y *.twc %TTWINPATH%
copy /Y *.key %TTWINPATH%
copy /Y *.clr %TTWINPATH%
copy /Y *.cmp %TTWINPATH%
And I need to do that but using a msi.
Regards,
Answers (9)
1. Take a blank MSI.
2. Crate the folder structure as required.
3. Drag and drop your files in the msi. Compress the files to create an internal .cab file
4. Install the msi and your work will be done.
If what you want to do is to use the MSI to run the batch file. You should add the batch file to the msi and then run it as a custom action.
Comments:
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See this link for help on running batch file with Custom Actionhttp://www.itninja.com/question/how-do-i-create-a-custom-action-to-call-a-batch-file-1 - henrik80 12 years ago
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We will use a batch files finally.. there is no point to create a msi to copy files which doesn't exist yet. but thanks! I keep that in my notepad! :) - jmpouliot 12 years ago
Using the method of creating a MSI to run a batch file through custom action is adding on a great deal of time to accomplish your goal. I would just use the batch file and skip the MSI all together.
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Just read that someone else had responded with mostly the same opinion. However, I need to say doing a snapshot for this is even adding on more totally unnecessary work. - kopuz 12 years ago
Advanced Installer as the Freeware will achieve what you are trying to accomplish.
Thanks for the reply guys.
But here is the issue that I forgot to say. I only have the ini files, tcf, cmd and twc. all the others are not there yet and they asked me to do that to plan the future.
I use adminstudio. I am just wondering if it is possible to do that without including the files into the project / msi? just use a msi to copy the file in from the current folder (using %~dp0) or a specific location?
Yeah, that is what I mentioned as well, you can just add the files directly as well..
Have you tried using AppDeploy Repackager? http://www.kace.com/products/freetools/appdeploy-repackager
Do a setup capture using any packaging tool like AdminStudio or WISE package studio. Run this batch file which you have or manually do these tasks. and take a snapshot. You will get a project file. Complie it and you will get an MSI.
You can also add these manually in Installshield or WISE Package Studio project file without taking a snapshot.
Comments:
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The snapshot seems unnecessarily complicated to just copy files. IN AdminStudio, it's pretty easy to just add files, which create their own components if they're executable. There'd be a lot of cleanup to do if you snapshot it. - Arminius 12 years ago
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I have been using snapshot and there is no nonsense stuff which is captured. IF you are using the right tool, then the capture is quite clean. - piyushnasa 12 years ago
Why even bother with snapshot?
Create your own MSI installer with "Windows Installer Editor" (Wise). Add files, registrys, shortcuts, CA's and so on and compile..
The above request only seems to be one ini file and a number of .twc files, so should be fairly easy if you've worked with a packaging tool before.