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Converting an SMS Installer or WiseScript Installation
Windows Installer Editor Reference
You cannot convert all .EXEs—only those that were created with Microsoft SMS or a
WiseScript-based product.
If you do not have the original installation project file, you can convert the compiled
.EXE instead, because it contains an embedded copy of the script.
Because script installations are based on a different technology than Windows
Installer, not all elements of the script are converted to Windows Installer format.
Only the installation of files, registry changes, and other system changes are
converted.
Custom dialog boxes, custom logic, and other settings are not converted.
All the files that are available to the original installation must be available to the
converted Windows Installer package at the same locations.
Components are converted to features, and Execute Program script actions are
converted to Execute Program custom actions.
Some script actions can cause problems with the conversion process.
To edit an .IPF file without converting it to a Windows Installer package, open it in
WiseScript Editor or WiseScript Package Editor. The WiseScript tools natively
support Microsoft SMS files.
When you convert an SMS or WiseScript installation, its contents are added to the
Windows Installer installation that is currently open.
To convert an SMS Installer or WiseScript installation
1.
Before you convert a script, open it and delete all Display Billboard, Display Graphic,
and Add Icon script actions.
2.
In Windows Installer Editor, open a new or existing installation.
3.
Select Tools menu > Convert WiseScript Installation or SMS Installer. (In Visual
Studio: Project menu > Convert WiseScript Installation or SMS Installer.)
The Welcome page appears.
4.
Complete the page:
Installation Script
Specify the full path of the .IPF or .EXE to convert.
Extract Directory
If you specified an .EXE file above, specify a directory in which to hold the
extracted files and click Next.
Files must be extracted from the .EXE before the conversion can begin. This
becomes the source directory for the new package.
5.
Click Next to start the conversion.
The .IPF or .EXE is converted to Windows Installer format.
When the conversion is finished, the Conversion Complete page appears. It shows
the results of the conversion and lists any errors or problems that might have
occurred. (Example: An error occurs when files that were referenced by the source
installation cannot be found.)
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Troubleshooting
