About Transforms - Symantec WINDOWS INSTALLER EDITOR 8.0 Reference

About Transforms

Windows Installer Editor Reference
Integer Value
Enter any integer. See Integer Format Types in the Windows Installer SDK
Help.
For general information on configurable item types, see Semantic Types in the Windows
Installer SDK Help or see
Note
During compile, if the installation contains a merge module that cannot be located on
your system, you are prompted to download the merge module. This can happen if the
installation was created on a different computer or if you have moved your merge
modules directory.
See also:
Adding a Merge Module to an Installation
A transform is a special kind of Windows Installer file (.MST) that customizes a Windows
Installer installation. You use it to change the installation in some way for a specific
group of end users. When you create a new transform, you must specify a standard
installation database (.MSI) on which to base the transform. Typically, a transform works
only with a specific installation. However, a universal transform can be applied to any
installation.
Transforms must be run from the command line.
See Applying a Transform to an Installation
Because it would be unwieldy to install all options for all groups of end users, you can
create one base .MSI, along with several transforms, each of which modifies the .MSI
database at installation to customize it for different groups.
Example: Suppose you are a system administrator who's deploying a new version of
workgroup software. You can use transforms to customize the installation for the needs
of different departments. In each transform, you make changes to customize an
installation for a particular department. Then during installation, you make sure that the
appropriate transform is applied for each department.
You can create the following types of transforms:
A transform based on changes that you make to an existing installation. This lets
you change any aspect of an installation.
See Creating a Transform Based on an Existing
A universal transform containing limited changes that can be applied to any .MSI.
See Creating a Universal Transform
A language transform that lets you change the language on the dialog boxes that
appear during installation.
See Creating a Language Transform
A transform that lets you change the way the installation runs. Use InstallTailor to
run the installation and record the installation options you select. Example: Turn off
a specific dialog box or set certain features to be on by default.
See Creating a Transform with InstallTailor in the Wise Package Studio Help.
Creating a Configurable Merge Module
on page 338
on page 345.
on page 344.
on page 269.
Merge Modules and Transforms
on page 331.
.MSI.
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