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Windows Installer XML (WiX) v3.0 Documentation
Advanced WiX Topics
Windows Installer XML (WiX) v3.0
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Advanced WiX Topics
This section covers the following advanced WiX topics:
Specifying Cultures to Build
Specifying Source Files
Optimizing Builds
Adding Custom Actions
Standard Custom Actions
WixUI Dialog Library
Extensions
Patch Building
Code Pages
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Table of contents
Windows Installer XML (WiX) Help
Introduction
About WiX
File Types
Tools and Concepts
List of Tools
Preprocessor
Compiler (Candle)
Linker (Light)
Library Tool (Lit)
Decompiler (Dark)
Harvester (Heat)
WixCop
Heat
Using WiX on the Command Line
Authoring Your First .wxs File
Creating Merge Modules
Mapping MSI Tables to WiX Schema
Using WiX in Visual Studio
WiX Project Types
WiX Item Templates
WiX Project Property Pages
Creating a Simple Setup
Adding Project References
Adding WiX References
Using WiX with MSBuild
Creating a .wixproj File
Integrating WiX Projects Into Daily Builds
Building WiX Projects In Team Foundation Build
WiX MSBuild Task Reference
Candle Task
Light Task
Lit Task
Using WiX with NAnt
WiX NAnt Task Reference
Candle Task
Light Task
Lit Task
How To Guides
Files, Shortcuts, and Registry
How To: Add a file to your installer
How To: Check the version number of a file during installation
How To: Write a registry entry during installation
How To: Read a registry entry during installation
How To: Create a shortcut on the Start Menu
How To: Create a shortcut to a web page
How To: Create an uninstall shortcut
How To: NGen managed assemblies during installation
How To: Reference another DirectorySearch element
How To: Get the parent directory of a file search
Redistributables and Install Checks
How To: Check for .NET Framework versions
How To: Install the .NET Framework using a bootstrapper
How To: Install DirectX 9.0 with your installer
How To: Install the Visual C++ Redistributable with your installer
How To: Block installation based on OS version
User Interface and Localization
How To: Build a localized version of your installer
How To: Make your installer localizable
How To: Run the installed application after setup
How To: Set your installer's icon in Add/Remove Programs
Updates
How To: Implement a major upgrade in your installer
General How Tos
How To: Get a log of your installation for debugging
How To: Look inside your MSI with Orca
How To: Generate a GUID
WiX Schema References
Wix Schema
AdminExecuteSequence Element
AdminUISequence Element
AdvertiseExecuteSequence Element
AllocateRegistrySpace Element
AppData Element
AppId Element
AppSearch Element
AssemblyName Element
Billboard Element
BillboardAction Element
Binary Element
BinaryRef Element
BindImage Element
Category Element
CCPSearch Element
Class Element
Column Element
ComboBox Element
ComplianceCheck Element
ComplianceDrive Element
Component Element
ComponentGroup Element
ComponentGroupRef Element
ComponentRef Element
ComponentSearch Element
Condition Element
Configuration Element
ConfigurationData Element
Control Element
CopyFile Element
CostFinalize Element
CostInitialize Element
CreateFolder Element
CreateFolders Element
CreateShortcuts Element
Custom Element
CustomAction Element
CustomActionRef Element
CustomProperty Element
CustomTable Element
Data Element
DeleteServices Element
Dependency Element
Dialog Element
DialogRef Element
DigitalCertificate Element
DigitalSignature Element
Directory Element
DirectoryRef Element
DirectorySearch Element
DirectorySearchRef Element
DisableRollback Element
DuplicateFiles Element
EmbeddedChainer Element
EmbeddedChainerRef Element
EmbeddedUI Element
EmbeddedUIResource Element
EnsureTable Element
Environment Element
Error Element
Exclusion Element
ExecuteAction Element
Extension Element
ExternalFile Element
Failure Element
Family Element
Feature Element
FeatureGroup Element
FeatureGroupRef Element
FeatureRef Element
File Element
FileCost Element
FileSearch Element
FileSearchRef Element
FileTypeMask Element
FindRelatedProducts Element
ForceReboot Element
Fragment Element
Icon Element
IconRef Element
IgnoreModularization Element
IgnoreRange Element
IgnoreTable Element
Include Element
IniFile Element
IniFileSearch Element
InstallAdminPackage Element
InstallExecute Element
InstallExecuteAgain Element
InstallExecuteSequence Element
InstallFiles Element
InstallFinalize Element
InstallInitialize Element
InstallODBC Element
InstallServices Element
InstallUISequence Element
InstallValidate Element
Instance Element
InstanceTransforms Element
Interface Element
IsolateComponent Element
IsolateComponents Element
LaunchConditions Element
ListBox Element
ListItem Element
ListView Element
Media Element
Merge Element
MergeRef Element
MigrateFeatureStates Element
MIME Element
Module Element
MoveFiles Element
MsiPublishAssemblies Element
MsiUnpublishAssemblies Element
MultiStringValue Element
ODBCDataSource Element
ODBCDriver Element
ODBCTranslator Element
OptimizeCustomActions Element
Package Element
PackageCertificates Element
Patch Element
PatchBaseline Element
PatchCertificates Element
PatchCreation Element
PatchFamily Element
PatchFamilyRef Element
PatchFiles Element
PatchInformation Element
PatchMetadata Element
PatchProperty Element
PatchSequence Element
Permission Element
PermissionEx Element
ProcessComponents Element
Product Element
ProgId Element
ProgressText Element
Property Element
PropertyRef Element
ProtectFile Element
ProtectRange Element
Publish Element
PublishComponents Element
PublishFeatures Element
PublishProduct Element
RadioButton Element
RadioButtonGroup Element
RegisterClassInfo Element
RegisterComPlus Element
RegisterExtensionInfo Element
RegisterFonts Element
RegisterMIMEInfo Element
RegisterProduct Element
RegisterProgIdInfo Element
RegisterTypeLibraries Element
RegisterUser Element
Registry Element
RegistryKey Element
RegistrySearch Element
RegistrySearchRef Element
RegistryValue Element
RemoveDuplicateFiles Element
RemoveEnvironmentStrings Element
RemoveExistingProducts Element
RemoveFile Element
RemoveFiles Element
RemoveFolder Element
RemoveFolders Element
RemoveIniValues Element
RemoveODBC Element
RemoveRegistryKey Element
RemoveRegistryValue Element
RemoveRegistryValues Element
RemoveShortcuts Element
ReplacePatch Element
RequiredPrivilege Element
ReserveCost Element
ResolveSource Element
RMCCPSearch Element
Row Element
ScheduleReboot Element
SelfRegModules Element
SelfUnregModules Element
ServiceArgument Element
ServiceConfig Element
ServiceConfigFailureActions Element
ServiceControl Element
ServiceDependency Element
ServiceInstall Element
SetDirectory Element
SetODBCFolders Element
SetProperty Element
SFPCatalog Element
SFPFile Element
Shortcut Element
ShortcutProperty Element
Show Element
StartServices Element
StopServices Element
Subscribe Element
Substitution Element
SymbolPath Element
TargetFile Element
TargetImage Element
TargetProductCode Element
TargetProductCodes Element
Text Element
TextStyle Element
TypeLib Element
UI Element
UIRef Element
UIText Element
UnpublishComponents Element
UnpublishFeatures Element
UnregisterClassInfo Element
UnregisterComPlus Element
UnregisterExtensionInfo Element
UnregisterFonts Element
UnregisterMIMEInfo Element
UnregisterProgIdInfo Element
UnregisterTypeLibraries Element
Upgrade Element
UpgradeFile Element
UpgradeImage Element
UpgradeVersion Element
Validate Element
ValidateProductID Element
Verb Element
Wix Element
WixVariable Element
WriteEnvironmentStrings Element
WriteIniValues Element
WriteRegistryValues Element
AutogenGuid Simple Type
ComponentGuid Simple Type
Guid Simple Type
HexType Simple Type
LocalizableInteger Simple Type
LongFileNameType Simple Type
PatchClassificationType Simple Type
RegistryRootType Simple Type
ShortFileNameType Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
WildCardLongFileNameType Simple Type
WildCardShortFileNameType Simple Type
YesNoDefaultType Simple Type
YesNoType Simple Type
Wixloc Schema
String Element
WixLocalization Element
LocalizationYesNoType Simple Type
Complus Schema
ComPlusApplication Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusApplicationRole Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusAssembly Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusAssemblyDependency Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusComponent Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusGroupInApplicationRole Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusGroupInPartitionRole Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusInterface Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusMethod Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusPartition Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusPartitionRole Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusPartitionUser Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusRoleForComponent Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusRoleForInterface Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusRoleForMethod Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusSubscription Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusUserInApplicationRole Element (Complus Extension)
ComPlusUserInPartitionRole Element (Complus Extension)
AutogenGuid Simple Type
ComponentGuid Simple Type
Guid Simple Type
HexType Simple Type
LocalizableInteger Simple Type
LongFileNameType Simple Type
PatchClassificationType Simple Type
RegistryRootType Simple Type
ShortFileNameType Simple Type
uuid Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
WildCardLongFileNameType Simple Type
WildCardShortFileNameType Simple Type
YesNoDefaultType Simple Type
YesNoType Simple Type
Difxapp Schema
Driver Element (Difxapp Extension)
AutogenGuid Simple Type
ComponentGuid Simple Type
Guid Simple Type
HexType Simple Type
LocalizableInteger Simple Type
LongFileNameType Simple Type
PatchClassificationType Simple Type
RegistryRootType Simple Type
ShortFileNameType Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
WildCardLongFileNameType Simple Type
WildCardShortFileNameType Simple Type
YesNoDefaultType Simple Type
YesNoType Simple Type
Firewall Schema
FirewallException Element (Firewall Extension)
RemoteAddress Element (Firewall Extension)
AutogenGuid Simple Type
ComponentGuid Simple Type
Guid Simple Type
HexType Simple Type
LocalizableInteger Simple Type
LongFileNameType Simple Type
PatchClassificationType Simple Type
RegistryRootType Simple Type
ShortFileNameType Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
WildCardLongFileNameType Simple Type
WildCardShortFileNameType Simple Type
YesNoDefaultType Simple Type
YesNoType Simple Type
Gaming Schema
Game Element (Gaming Extension)
PlayTask Element (Gaming Extension)
SupportTask Element (Gaming Extension)
IsRichSavedGame Attribute
AutogenGuid Simple Type
ComponentGuid Simple Type
Guid Simple Type
HexType Simple Type
LocalizableInteger Simple Type
LongFileNameType Simple Type
PatchClassificationType Simple Type
RegistryRootType Simple Type
ShortFileNameType Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
WildCardLongFileNameType Simple Type
WildCardShortFileNameType Simple Type
YesNoDefaultType Simple Type
YesNoType Simple Type
Iis Schema
Certificate Element (Iis Extension)
CertificateRef Element (Iis Extension)
HttpHeader Element (Iis Extension)
MimeMap Element (Iis Extension)
RecycleTime Element (Iis Extension)
WebAddress Element (Iis Extension)
WebApplication Element (Iis Extension)
WebApplicationExtension Element (Iis Extension)
WebAppPool Element (Iis Extension)
WebDir Element (Iis Extension)
WebDirProperties Element (Iis Extension)
WebError Element (Iis Extension)
WebFilter Element (Iis Extension)
WebLog Element (Iis Extension)
WebProperty Element (Iis Extension)
WebServiceExtension Element (Iis Extension)
WebSite Element (Iis Extension)
WebVirtualDir Element (Iis Extension)
AutogenGuid Simple Type
ComponentGuid Simple Type
Guid Simple Type
HexType Simple Type
LocalizableInteger Simple Type
LongFileNameType Simple Type
PatchClassificationType Simple Type
PercentType Simple Type
RegistryRootType Simple Type
ShortFileNameType Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
WildCardLongFileNameType Simple Type
WildCardShortFileNameType Simple Type
YesNoDefaultType Simple Type
YesNoType Simple Type
IsolatedApp Schema
Application Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
Description Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
Details Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
EntryPoint Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
Feed Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
Icon Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
Id Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
IsolatedApp Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
Manufacturer Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
Name Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
Package Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
PreviousFeed Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
Source Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
UpdateRate Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
Version Element (IsolatedApp Extension)
uuid Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
Msmq Schema
MessageQueue Element (Msmq Extension)
MessageQueuePermission Element (Msmq Extension)
AutogenGuid Simple Type
ComponentGuid Simple Type
Guid Simple Type
HexType Simple Type
LocalizableInteger Simple Type
LongFileNameType Simple Type
PatchClassificationType Simple Type
RegistryRootType Simple Type
ShortFileNameType Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
WildCardLongFileNameType Simple Type
WildCardShortFileNameType Simple Type
YesNoDefaultType Simple Type
YesNoType Simple Type
Netfx Schema
NativeImage Element (Netfx Extension)
YesNoType Simple Type
OfficeAddin Schema
Application Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
Description Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
Details Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
EntryPoint Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
ExtendsApplication Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
Feed Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
Icon Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
Id Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
Manufacturer Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
Name Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
OfficeAddin Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
Package Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
PreviousFeed Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
Source Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
UpdateRate Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
Version Element (OfficeAddin Extension)
SupportedOfficeApplications Simple Type
uuid Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
Ps Schema
FormatsFile Element (Ps Extension)
SnapIn Element (Ps Extension)
TypesFile Element (Ps Extension)
RequiredVersion Attribute
AutogenGuid Simple Type
ComponentGuid Simple Type
EmbeddedResource Simple Type
Guid Simple Type
HexType Simple Type
LocalizableInteger Simple Type
LongFileNameType Simple Type
PatchClassificationType Simple Type
RegistryRootType Simple Type
ShortFileNameType Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
WildCardLongFileNameType Simple Type
WildCardShortFileNameType Simple Type
YesNoDefaultType Simple Type
YesNoType Simple Type
Sql Schema
SqlDatabase Element (Sql Extension)
SqlFileSpec Element (Sql Extension)
SqlLogFileSpec Element (Sql Extension)
SqlScript Element (Sql Extension)
SqlString Element (Sql Extension)
AutogenGuid Simple Type
ComponentGuid Simple Type
Guid Simple Type
HexType Simple Type
LocalizableInteger Simple Type
LongFileNameType Simple Type
PatchClassificationType Simple Type
RegistryRootType Simple Type
ShortFileNameType Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
WildCardLongFileNameType Simple Type
WildCardShortFileNameType Simple Type
YesNoDefaultType Simple Type
YesNoType Simple Type
Util Schema
CloseApplication Element (Util Extension)
EventManifest Element (Util Extension)
EventSource Element (Util Extension)
FileShare Element (Util Extension)
FileSharePermission Element (Util Extension)
Group Element (Util Extension)
GroupRef Element (Util Extension)
InternetShortcut Element (Util Extension)
PerfCounter Element (Util Extension)
PerfCounterManifest Element (Util Extension)
PerformanceCategory Element (Util Extension)
PerformanceCounter Element (Util Extension)
PermissionEx Element (Util Extension)
ServiceConfig Element (Util Extension)
User Element (Util Extension)
XmlConfig Element (Util Extension)
XmlFile Element (Util Extension)
AutogenGuid Simple Type
ComponentGuid Simple Type
Guid Simple Type
HexType Simple Type
LocalizableInteger Simple Type
LongFileNameType Simple Type
PatchClassificationType Simple Type
PerformanceCounterLanguageType Simple Type
PerformanceCounterTypesType Simple Type
RegistryRootType Simple Type
ShortFileNameType Simple Type
VersionType Simple Type
WildCardLongFileNameType Simple Type
WildCardShortFileNameType Simple Type
YesNoDefaultType Simple Type
YesNoType Simple Type
Vs Schema
HelpCollection Element (Vs Extension)
HelpCollectionRef Element (Vs Extension)
HelpFile Element (Vs Extension)
HelpFileRef Element (Vs Extension)
HelpFilter Element (Vs Extension)
HelpFilterRef Element (Vs Extension)
PlugCollectionInto Element (Vs Extension)
YesNoType Simple Type
Advanced WiX Topics
Specifying cultures to build
Specifying source files
Optimizing builds
Adding Custom Actions
Standard Custom Actions
Using Standard Custom Actions
OSInfo Custom Actions
Performance Counter Custom Action
Quiet Execution Custom Action
ShellExecute Custom Action
WixDirectXExtension
WixExitEarlyWithSuccess
WixFailWhenDeferred
WixGamingExtension
WixNetfxExtension
WixVSExtension
WixUI Dialog Library
Using Built-in WixUI Dialog Sets
Customizing Built-in WixUI Dialog Sets
Using Localized Versions of WixUI
WixUI Dialog Reference
WixUI_Advanced Dialog Set
WixUI_FeatureTree Dialog Set
WixUI_InstallDir Dialog Set
WixUI_Minimal Dialog Set
WixUI_Mondo Dialog Set
WixUI Dialogs
Extensions
Using WiX Extensions
Localized Extensions
Patch Building
Using Patch Creation Properties
Using Purely WiX
Restrictions for Patches
Code Pages
Developing for WiX
How to be a Windows Installer XML Developer
Building WiX
NAnt Conventions
Developing WiX Extensions
Introduction
Creating a Simple Extension
Creating a Preprocessor Extension
Developing for Votive
Adding to the WiX Documentation
Testing WiX
Running Tests
Writing Tests
Additional Resources
Getting Started Learning WiX
Useful Windows Installer Information
Getting Help
Get in touch
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