MAKEMSI is a freeware tool which allows you to quickly and automatically create MSI based installers.

Written by a Microsoft MVP to create or update MSI (Windows Installer) based installers for files, registry etc using an XML like script. Has command line support for use in unattended builds (NMAKE, ANT, NANT builds etc).

It builds a HTML report by default (with a "file verify" button). For both beginners and advanced users. Common processes can be defined once and reused in multiple projects (templates). Has extensive documentation and a large user group (500+ members). A MSI compare or disassemble tool is available which generates MAKEMSI output, this is commonly used by people wishing to automate tasks they currently use ORCA for. Also has a framework for easy MSM (merge module) and CUB (MSI validation suite) building.

Here are some key features of "MAKEMSI":

· Automatic handling of files opened by applications (in use).
· If an install fails then prior changes will be undone (no half installs).
· Enables deployment (with or without elevated privledges) to all boxes in a network via Group Policy/Active Directory. Corporate customers will definately prefer (or in fact generally require) MSI based installers due to their ease of deployment.
· The automatic creation of XP system restore points at package install and uninstall.
· Self healing (repair) of files or registry entries.
· The advertising of complete applications (or parts) which allows installation on demand (resources not installed until required).
· Installation or uninstallation can be automated via command line parameters in a standard way (automatic support for silent or unattended installs).
· Allows merging of common "runtime files" (via Microsoft or other 3rd party merge modules).
· Configuration of MSI based products is supported by many mechanisms which are standard for all MSI installers. MSI files are databases which can be manipulated (by the end user) to tweak them or alterations can be done via separate transforms or options can be overridden from the command line. This can change install file and shortcut locations and control which features get installed plus much more.
· Microsoft Windows product logos require MSI based installers

What's New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]

· Added the "64Bit" parameter to the "RegistryRead" command.
· Added the "RAW" parameter to the "Registry" command.
· Rather than warn you if you forget to supply "VALUE" on the "MsiFormatted" parameter for "MultiString" types, the code now automatically applies it.
· An "ICE70" during validation and a 1406 error during install would be generated if you supplied a string starting with "#" (which has special meaning to Windows Installer) to the "Registry" command.
· As this is my new laptop running 64 bit Vista Ultimate, if anything was to go wrong this is the release it will occur in but I'm pretty confident. Let me know if that was wrong :-)