Microsoft Windows Installer accepts a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) as a valid source for a patch. To install a patch located on a Web server at http://MyWeb/MyPatch.msp, use the following command line:

msiexec /p http://MyWeb/MyPatch.msp

To avoid unexpected results, do not launch a patch by clicking the link on the Web page showing the patch file's URL. You can also install a patch by using a script like the following:

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="VBScript"> 
<!-- 
Dim Installer
On Error Resume Next
set Installer=CreateObject("WindowsInstaller.Installer")
Installer.ApplyPatch "http://server/share/patch.msp", "", 0, "REINSTALL=ALL REINSTALLMODE=omus"
set Installer=Nothing
-->
</SCRIPT>

Note that because the Installer object is not marked as SafeForScripting on the user's computer, users need to adjust their browser security settings for the example to work correctly.

For more information, see Guidelines for Authoring Secure Installations and Digital Signatures and Windows Installer.

See Also

Patch Packages

Creating a Patch Package

Patching Customized Applications

Downloading an Installation From the Internet

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Build date: 8/13/2009