File Types - Symantec WINDOWS INSTALLER EDITOR 7.0 SP2 - REFERENCE FOR WISE INSTALLATION STUDIO V1.0 Installation Manual

File Types

Extension
.MSI
.WSI
.WSPROJ
.MSM
.WSM
.MST
Windows Installer Editor Reference
The application's system requirements in as much detail as possible. Consider not
only memory and disk requirements, but also the minimum screen depth and
resolution, and the minimum required version of the operating system.
Any custom graphics, referred to as billboards, that should be displayed during
installation.
Any changes that should be made to the dialog boxes that will be displayed during
installation.
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.
(Visual Studio integrated editor only) Visual Studio project file for a Windows Installer
installation. When you create an installation project in Visual Studio, a corresponding
.WSPROJ file is created in the same location. The .WSPROJ file points to the .WSI.
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
on page 452.
on page 69.
on page 399.
on page 364.
on page 364.
About Transforms
Working With Wise Installation Files
on page 384.
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