File Types - Symantec WINDOWS INSTALLER EDITOR 8.0 Reference

File Types

Extension
.MSI
.WSI
.MSM
.WSM
.MST
.MSP
.PCP
Windows Installer Editor Reference
See Using the Dialogs Page
If applicable, a Readme file and a license agreement file.
In Windows Installer Editor, you can create and edit different types of Windows Installer
database files. You can work in the Windows Installer database file or in a project file
that contains instructions for compiling the Windows Installer database file.
See Project Files and Database Files
Following are the types of Windows installer files.
Description
Windows Installer database, which is a distributable installation. The .MSI extension is
associated with the Windows Installer executable, MSIExec.EXE. When an .MSI is
opened, Windows Installer executes it, thereby installing the application. You can open
and edit an .MSI in Windows Installer Editor. However, options that have to do with
creating an .MSI, such as those on the Releases, Release Settings, and Media pages,
are unavailable.
You can convert an .MSI to a project file (.WSI).
See MSI to WSI Conversion
Windows Installer project file, which describes an .MSI but does not store contents. It
is in the same format as an .MSI. You edit a .WSI in Windows Installer Editor and
compile it to the corresponding .MSI. The .WSI file is smaller than an .MSI and you can
set multiple options for the output of the .MSI.
Windows Installer merge module, which is a pre-compiled library of components (files,
registry changes, and other system changes) that installs a discrete part of your
application. It cannot be run alone, but must be merged with an .MSI during the .MSI
compile.
See About Merge Modules
Windows Installer merge module project, which describes an .MSM, but does not store
merge module contents. You edit a .WSM in Windows Installer Editor and compile it to
the corresponding .MSM.
See About Merge Modules
Windows Installer transform, which changes a Windows Installer package at run time
and must be applied from the command line. See
Windows Installer patch, which updates an existing installed application. Patches
contain only the differences between the old and new versions of an application.
Create a patch with the Patch Creation tool, which creates an .MSP file that you
distribute to end users.
See Patch Creation in the Wise Package Studio Help.
Windows Installer patch project, which describes and compiles to a Windows Installer
patch. A .PCP file is created from the Patch Creation tool.
See Patch Creation in the Wise Package Studio Help.
on page 402.
on page 61.
on page 356.
on page 323.
on page 323.
About Transforms
Working With Wise Installation Files
on page 341.
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