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EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect Changelog

What's new in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 11.0.0 Build 1592

Jan 31, 2024
  • The new Projects view and Projects Storage:
  • We've revamped the user interface to enhance usability. The new Projects view offers easy access to all your installation projects, while the Projects Storage node in the Projects tree lets you handle key tasks like creating, opening, exporting, and deleting projects. Plus, you can now switch quickly between different filesystem folders for project storage.
  • The new Projects view and Projects Storage:
  • The new Packages view:
  • Discover a new Packages view, specifically designed for managing generated packages. This view allows quick review of package properties such as format, version, platform and other. Its main feature is the ability to run package testing. You can also use some additional helpful features provided by this view, such as opening a package location, reviewing action history for packages, etc.
  • Testing of generated packages:
  • Now you can test generated packages directly from the program. Use any available virtual machine for testing or run tests on your local machine. The process is straightforward - select a package, choose your testing environment and options. The program automatically handles package installation and uninstallation, logging and reporting any errors discovered. Additionally, you have the option to test the functionality of deployed software to ensure it operates as intended.
  • Package Signing Using Hardware Tokens:
  • Sign your generated packages with digital certificates distributed on hardware tokens. Simply plug in the token and choose the relevant certificate in the program's Preferences. This will enable automatic signing of the packages during their generation.
  • New Repackaging Command:
  • The command-line interface now includes a repackaging command, expanding its functionality. This allows you to convert existing installations into MSI, App-V, or MSIX/AppX packages directly from the command line.
  • New and improved features:
  • Added a new built-in log viewer for package build logs
  • Improved and reorganized user interface with full DPI support
  • Improved repackaging stability on Windows Sandbox and Virtual Machines
  • Added the search option to most dialogs and wizards
  • Resolved issues:
  • Addressed a potential security risk during program updates
  • Fixed issues with displaying a large number of VMs during VM profile setup
  • Resolved problems with pin/unpin on the Windows 11 Start Menu
  • Fixed App-V package without registry entries generation failure

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 10.1.3 Build 2551 (Feb 21, 2023)

  • New and improved features:
  • Increased the connection speed to the virtual machines during monitoring
  • Added the ability to connect to guest accounts on virtual machines with empty passwords
  • Improved the painting of UI elements
  • Resolved issues:
  • The Pin to Start application feature is not working on Windows 10 and 11
  • It is not possible to start monitoring on a virtual machine for the second time
  • The VirtualBox session hangs in the background after monitoring

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 10.1.1 Build 2201 (Jan 2, 2023)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added support of encrypted VMware virtual machines
  • Improved visual representation of virtual machines found on servers
  • Resolved issues:
  • Cannot connect to a virtual machine if there are multiple virtual machines with the same name on the server
  • Monitoring cannot be started error in some environments

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 10.1.0 Build 2104 (Dec 14, 2022)

  • Windows Scheduled Tasks repackaging:
  • Now the program allows you to repackage Windows Scheduled Tasks. Those tasks can be monitored automatically or added manually to an installation project. Scheduled Tasks available in the project can be created or deleted in Windows when you install the generated package. The program allows configuring task triggers, conditions, actions and settings according to your needs.
  • Introducing synchronized folders:
  • File System objects set in installation project was extended and now includes a sync folder that is designed to synchronize folder contents with data on the file system. When you work with regular folders their content is copied to the project storage when you prepare a project. When a project is prepared it uses copied files. Sync folders allow you to synchronize file system contents easily. A sync folder contains a path on the file system to get the folder contents, and synchronization settings that allow getting file system resources matching the specified conditions. When you synchronize the folder the folder contents is synchronized with the corresponding file system folder.
  • Verification of nested wrapped packages installation results:
  • Wrapped packages now can include an option that allows you to check if nested installations were deployed successfully. When this option is enabled and exit codes are specified, these codes are matched with exit codes of a nested installation. If during MSI installation a wrapped installation exits with different exit codes than specified, an installation failure is detected for the wrap MSI. In this case already deployed wrapped packages are uninstalled, if their uninstallation settings are specified, and the wrap MSI package entry isn't created.
  • New and improved features:
  • Added Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 22H2 support
  • Improved project loading speed
  • Add .Net Framework 4.8.1 to project requirements
  • Resolved issues:
  • Generated packages ignore selected Supported OS in some cases
  • Fixed App-V packages default registry values import

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 10.0.1 Build 1192 (Aug 18, 2022)

  • New and improved features:
  • Improved drivers repackaging accuracy
  • Increased speed of monitoring services analysis
  • Resolved issues:
  • Service binaries cannot be found by an application in some environments
  • Fixed UI problems of HI DPI

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 10.0.0 Build 1046 (Jul 28, 2022)

  • Monitoring in Windows Sandbox:
  • Now all editions of the program allow you using Windows Sandbox for monitoring installations. Sandbox is a Windows feature available on Windows 11 and latest builds of Windows 10. It provides a lightweight desktop environment to safely run applications in isolation. Sandbox provides a clean environment for repackaging that is ready to use right of the box and doesn't require any configuration.
  • You can use Sandbox to repackage installations in a clean environment. The corresponding option is available in the Repackage Installation Wizard. When repackaging in Sandbox the program starts Sandbox and opens its window and automatically copies your installation there. You just need to follow installation steps in the Sandbox environment. Once the installation is complete, the captured changes are retrieved from Sandbox and a new package is generated. All local changes in Sandbox are disposed once you close it, so you have a clean repackaging environment each time you run Sandbox.
  • Improved Pre and Post Actions:
  • Custom actions have been improved to extend functionality of pre-install and post-uninstall custom actions. These actions are executed before package installation and after uninstallation, at the moment when filed deployed by the package aren't yet created (for pre-install) or are already deleted (for post-uninstall). To resolve this problem now you can specify a custom set of files in custom actions. These files are deployed before running a custom action and you can use them to run the action. For example, you can use this feature to include a script file and run it before the package installation.
  • Custom Actions Templates:
  • To simplify configuration of custom pre and post actions the program provides configuration templates for the frequently used actions. Click on the buttons displayed in the Actions Templates group of the Custom Actions contextual Ribbon menu to create an action based on templates. The program allows you to configure a PowerShell script, VB script, batch file and executable file using templates. Templates include configuration if files, command-line options and other parameters of the custom action.
  • Excluding Items from a Package:
  • File System, Registry and other project editors now include an option to exclude resources from a build. When a resource is excluded, it doesn't appear in the generated package, but is still available in the project, so it is possible to include it into package generation. The exclude option can help you to experiment with projects and a set of project resources.
  • New Vector Skins:
  • The program now includes new vector skins that have perfect look and feel on monitors with HiDPI. Program icons now are adaptable and have different colors in the different skins.
  • New and improved features:
  • Added support of large monitors with HiDPI and support for multi-monitor configurations with different DPI
  • Added a new project settings view that splits settings in sections
  • Improved wrapped package structure and deployment that allows resolving a few known problems
  • Improved the project validation before creating a package

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 9.1.4 (Mar 24, 2022)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added an option to hide AppX package applications from the Start menu
  • Importing of existing packages is improved
  • Browser cache data are excluded from monitoring results
  • Resolved issues:
  • Product features sometimes are initialized incorrectly
  • Fixed a potential 1722 error during monitoring on Hyper-V virtual machines

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 9.1.1 (Dec 8, 2021)

  • Registry Key Access fixups for MSIX/AppX packages:
  • Registry Access Fixups can be configured for regular and legacy Windows applications repackaged into MSIX packages. These fixups allow resolving errors reported by repackaged applications accessing some registry keys restricted in an MSIX container. You can configure MSIX applications to modify Windows API calls working with the registry to change registry key access permissions.
  • The program allows you to specify registry key patterns and set access level changes to be applied if the patterns match with accessed registry keys.
  • DLL Path fixups for MSIX/AppX packages:
  • Use DLL Path fixups to resolve DLL loading problems reported by regular or legacy applications repackaged into MSIX/AppX packages. These fixups allow you to specify directories available in the MSIX container to look for the DLL files.
  • New and improved features:
  • Added Windows 11 support
  • More accurate monitoring of file system changes
  • Improved high DPI application appearance
  • Resolved issues:
  • Possible errors when creating packages with auto-generated self-sign certificates

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 9.1 (Sep 24, 2021)

  • MSIX/AppX entry points configuration:
  • When you create a new MSIX/AppX package, the program automatically checks available shortcuts and prompts you to select shortcuts to create MSIX/AppX entry points (applications). In MSIX/AppX properties of the installation project, you can see added entry points and modify them. You can also add new entry points if required. Entry points can be created for standard and web applications.
  • PowerShell scripts in MSIX/AppX packages:
  • MSIX/AppX applications now have the advanced configuration to specify PowerShell scripts that can be executed before MSIX/AppX application start or completion. You can configure these scripts in the MSIX/AppX project properties for the corresponding application entries. Script configuration includes command-line arguments and execution options.
  • File Redirection fixups:
  • The program now includes mechanisms that allow applying file system fixups for repackaged installations running in MSIX containers. These fixups allow redirecting file system calls. You can apply fixups if the repackaged installation running in MSIX container reports application compatibility issues regarding the working directory and program path permissions.
  • The program provides easy-to-use and flexible configuration for custom fixups that can be managed in the MSIX/AppX project properties. The program allows you to specify custom fixups by configuring executable modules implementing fixups or use standard redirection fixups. Standard fixups include package relative, package folder relative, and system folder fixups that allow you to configure redirection rules to be applied for file system operations.
  • Project files signing:
  • In addition to signing the generated package, MSI Package Builder now allows signing project content files. In the project properties you can specify a set of .EXE, .DLL and .SYS files available in the project, for signing during the package generation.
  • New and improved features:
  • Added Windows Server 2022 and Windows 10 20H1 support
  • Added a visual presentation of the monitoring start
  • Improved package creation failure logging
  • Resolved issues:
  • A black border displayed on the splash during the application start
  • A possible package creation failure if the project contains COM data
  • A problem with layout restoring for undocked windows

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 9.0.1 (Apr 2, 2021)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added application capabilities support for MSIX/AppX packages
  • Resolved issues:
  • The signing error during an MSI package creation
  • The problem with Hyper-V virtual machines enumeration on non-english operating systems
  • The application won't start problem for MSIX/AppX package applications that require admin rights to start

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 9.0 (Apr 2, 2021)

  • Support of VirtualBox:
  • The program now supports VirtualBox. The Enterprise and Architect editions of the program allow you to monitor installations remotely on VMs hosted by VirtualBox servers. It allows you to save your time for preparing a repackaging environment and switch VMs easily.
  • During repackaging configuration, you can select a VirtualBox VM to be used for monitoring. The program automatically prepares the VM, copies the installation to be repackaged, and activates monitoring on this VM. You only need to follow the manual installation steps on the VM. Once the installation is finished, the program collects monitoring data from the VM and generates a package.
  • Backstage view:
  • The new application menu is now represented as the Backstage view. It provides easy access to all main actions in the program. The navigation available on the left side represents the main actions and allows you to create a new project, open an existing project, start repackaging, get information about the program and access the program's preferences. On the right side of the Backstage view, you can find the corresponding actions, that allow you to run a specific action in the program. All actions are organized to provide you with quick access to all important actions in a single view.
  • Directory attributes capturing and management
  • All directory attributes, such as Read-Only, System and Hidden, are now captured by the program, so the directories created by a deployed package have the same attributes as the directories created by the repackaged installation. The attributes can be set or changed manually on the installation project if required.
  • Installation project verification:
  • To avoid misconfiguration the program verifies the installation project before generating an output package. The program detects the availability of the project resources, checks configuration options conflicts, and performs other validations to make sure that there are no potential problems. If any problems are detected, the program provides detailed information about the problem and suggests the steps to resolve it.
  • New and improved features:
  • Significant deployment speed optimization for packages generated with the Smart All Users mode option
  • Packages with the Smart All Users mode enabled can use the Windows Task Bar pin actions
  • Usability and UI improvements
  • Resolved issues:
  • MSI generation errors when a project includes services with '..' in the path
  • Some files can be potentially skipped during MSI package generation

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 8.1.2 Build 1741 (Jan 13, 2021)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added compatibility with Windows 10 Build 20H2
  • Combined commands and their parameters into a single command-line field for respective custom actions
  • Added firewall changes monitoring for the command-line module
  • Resolved issues:
  • Fixed the problem with monitoring failing to start on a Virtual Machine in specific environments
  • Fixed eventual problems occurring when the evaluation period is ending

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 8.1.0 Build 1554 (Sep 7, 2020)

  • Repackaging of Windows Firewall rules and options:
  • The set of supported installation project resources has been extended and now includes Windows Firewall changes. It is possible to create an MSI/MSIX package that modifies Windows Firewall rules and profile options. You can configure the required changes manually or monitor firewall changes when repackaging installations. This feature is available in the Enterprise and Architect editions of the program.
  • Repackaging of Windows Firewall rules and options:
  • It is possible to create an installation that doesn't include files or registry entries. For example, now you can create a package that includes only a custom action and no other installation resources.
  • Resolved issues:
  • Fixed the MSI package generation failure for project including Printers with the 'delete' operation
  • Fixed multiline comments monitoring for various entries
  • Fixed UI controls alignment in some dialogs

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 8.0.2 Build 1261 (Jun 30, 2020)

  • Windows services repackaging support for MSIX packages:
  • Windows services packaging is supported by the latest versions of MSIX, so MSI Package Builder allows services packaging for generated MSIX packages.
  • Creation of Non-elevated MSI packages:
  • The new Non-Elevated Installation option, available in the General Properties section of MSI project settings, allows creating MSI packages that don't require permissions elevation for installing MSI packages. This option can be turned on if a package is generated as Install MSI to Current User. MSI packages generated using the Non-Elevated Installation option don't show Windows User Account Control (UAC) prompt on installation.
  • Creation of Non-elevated MSI packages:
  • New and improved features:
  • Added automatic target platform configuration for MSIX packages
  • Resolved issues:
  • Fixed incorrect repackaging wizard behavior in some cases
  • Fixed user registry keys packaging for MSIX packages
  • Fixed suppress reboot option for generated MSI packages

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 8.0.1 Build 1104 (Apr 30, 2020)

  • Fixed the problem with VM profiles selection in the Repackage Installation Wizard

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 8.0.0 Build 1001 (Apr 25, 2020)

  • Monitoring on virtual machines:
  • The Enterprise and Architect editions of the program support a new monitoring approach that allows monitoring on virtual machines hosted by Hyper-V and VMware servers. In Installation Repackaging Wizard, you can choose the corresponding option and select a VM for repackaging. The program connects to the selected VM remotely and uses it for monitoring only. A package is generated by the program based on the monitoring results collected from the VM. Such a monitoring approach allows you to switch the monitoring environment easily, because you don't need to install the program on the VM, which is required for monitoring on the local machine.
  • VM profiles:
  • A new dialog is introduced to manage virtual machines used for repackaging. It is available in the Enterprise and Architect editions of the program, which support repackaging on virtual machines. In the dialog, you can add Hyper-V and VMware servers, as well as configurations of VMs hosted on the servers. These configurations are called VM profiles. In Installation Repackaging Wizard, you can select a VM profile to perform repackaging on the corresponding virtual machine. You can configure profiles for different VMs that you plan to use for repackaging and then select a suitable profile when you configure a repackaging operation.
  • Checking the monitoring environment issues:
  • To make sure that the monitoring environment follows the best practices, the program runs an automatic check to detect possible issues before the start of the monitoring process. The program checks if Windows Update and other services, which may generate unwanted changes, have been stopped. The program detects running applications and displays a dialog with a list of discovered issues. You can let the program resolve those issues automatically by stopping the services and closing the running programs to prevent unwanted changes from appearing in the monitoring results and in the package to be generated.
  • Added command-line interface:
  • The command-line interface allows you to use the main features of the program by running the corresponding commands. Using the commands, it is possible to perform monitoring on the local machine, generate packages in different formats, export/import and sign packages.
  • Projects export/import:
  • To transfer a project to another machine or for backup purposes, you can export it as a single file. The exported file can be imported in another copy of the program, so you can generate a package based on the project content.
  • Filter conditions:
  • The monitoring filters configured in the program Preferences can now include conditions used to specify when a filter can be applied. In a filter condition, you can specify the Operating Systems, the OS build number and the OS platform. This feature allows you to use different filters for monitoring in different environments. It is helpful if you perform monitoring on different virtual machines.
  • Added support of machines with File System Redirection:
  • Now it is possible to run Enterprise and Architect editions of the program on machines that use File System Redirection. Installations monitoring doesn't work on machines with File System Redirection, but you can use the option to monitor on a virtual machine and use the local machine for package generation only.

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.3.8 Build 4804 (Jan 14, 2020)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added compatibility with Windows 10 Build 1909
  • Resolved issues:
  • Removed the evaluation message displayed in the integrated help system

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.3.7 Build 4751 (Nov 5, 2019)

  • New and improved features:
  • Improved capturing accuracy of the Live Monitoring technology
  • Resolved issues:
  • Fixed incorrect service dependency detection of specific services in complex environments

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.3.6 Build 4704 (Aug 29, 2019)

  • New and improved features:
  • Microsoft Windows 2019 Server operating system is added to the list of target operating systems in the resulting package configuration
  • The 'Pin to Taskbar' feature is now supported for PCs running Windows 10 Build 1903

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.3.5 Build 4661 (May 28, 2019)

  • New and improved features:
  • For signed packages, the UAC prompt now displays the specified product name instead of an auto-generated MSI name
  • Resolved issues:
  • Fixed monitoring of files deletion that may work incorrectly on the latest builds of Microsoft Windows 10

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.3.4 Build 4603 (Apr 23, 2019)

  • Resolved issues:
  • When repackaging specific installations, an incorrect generation sequence may occur leading to the fact that the generated package cannot be installed.

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.3.3 Build 4560 (Apr 3, 2019)

  • New and improved features:
  • The changes to COM (ComServer, TypeLibraries, Interfaces) can now be deployed with generated MSIX/AppX packages
  • The logging accuracy for changes monitoring process and results is improved
  • Resolved issues:
  • The applications are not pinned to task bar when deploying generated packages on PCs running the latest versions of Windows
  • Possible errors during MSI packages generation process

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.3.1 Build 4516 (Feb 6, 2019)

  • New and improved features:
  • File types association is now supported in scope of generated MSIX/AppX packages deployment
  • Live monitoring technology filters accuracy is increased
  • Resolved issues:
  • It is impossible to launch applications repackaged to MSIX/AppX on x86 platforms
  • Incorrect location for modal dialogs displayed by MSI Package Builder when run on PCs with multiple displays

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.3.0 Build 4011 (Dec 17, 2018)

  • New and improved features:
  • RFC 3161-compliant timestamps are supported. They are used for digital signing of the generated packages.
  • Resolved issues:
  • It is not possible to install MSI packages on specific environments when the package contains REG_NONE value in changes applied to registry
  • The registry values having the '/' trailing character are rolled incorrectly

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.2.2 Build 3214 (Nov 8, 2018)

  • New and improved features:
  • Monitoring registry changes accuracy is increased when running on Microsoft Windows Vista and later
  • Resolved issues:
  • Problems with activation of the program in specific environments

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.2.1 Build 3108 (Aug 2, 2018)

  • New and improved features:
  • It is now possible to collect permissions from imported file system elements
  • The changes to REG_NONE registry values are now detected by the monitoring system
  • Resolved issues:
  • The folder added for deletion is not deleted if it contains other folders
  • Possible deployment problems with packages containing files larger than 2 GB

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.2.0 Build 2654 (Jun 19, 2018)

  • Improved repackaging of printer drivers:
  • The program includes improvements that helps to repackage printer drivers and allows monitoring of printer driver settings. The captured printer driver changes are displayed in the program and can be modified, if required.
  • New and improved features:
  • The below features have been introduced for the first time or significantly improved in this release:
  • Improved repackaging of drivers and their settings
  • Resolved issues:
  • This release resolves a number of issues, the most important of which are listed below:
  • Possible the Access Violation error when modifying the installation project
  • Some controls are incorrectly painted when disabled

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.1.0 Build 2401 (Apr 17, 2018)

  • DIFx driver packages support:
  • The program provides complete support of DIFx driver packages. These packages can be repackaged automatically by the program and the captured entries can be edited in UI, if required.
  • Deploy of multiple drivers from a single package:
  • The program now supports deployment of multiple drivers from a single driver package. The driver packages can be repackaged by the program. You can edit the captured entries and properties in UI, if required.
  • New and improved features:
  • The monitoring of .NET services deployment and reconfiguration is improved
  • The accuracy of drivers deployment monitoring is increased
  • Resolved issues:
  • The x86 printer drivers are missing in a deployment package when monitored on x64 platform
  • Unnecessary empty registry keys might be created after monitoring specific installation packages

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.0.2 Build 1211 (Jan 29, 2018)

  • Resolved issues:
  • Inappropriate prompt for restarting the underlying operating system is displayed before the wrapped packages installation is complete
  • Possible errors when installing specific wrapped packages with large files
  • Incorrect handling of custom actions during MSI packages deployment in specific circumstances that may lead to errors

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.0.1 Build 1145 (Nov 15, 2017)

  • The MSI generation fails in specific cases when repackaging installations with a large number of files
  • The overridden support information is used when generating MSI packages when overriding is not enabled in the installation project
  • Learn more: EMCO MSI Package Builder

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 7.0.0 Build 1000 (Nov 2, 2017)

  • App-V packages generation by the new Architect edition:
  • The new Architect edition, in addition to installation repackaging and MSI generation features, allows you to create Microsoft App-V packages. Using this edition, you can repackage installations into MSI and App-V packages depending on your needs.
  • Configuring permissions for resources:
  • Now you can open properties of installation resources, including files, folders, registry keys, etc. and specify permissions that should be set for these resources when the generated package is deployed. The program automatically tracks permission changes applied by a repackaged installation and sets corresponding permissions in the project, but now you can see and modify these permissions in the visual editor, if required, or add custom permissions.
  • Monitoring of pin/unpin settings in Windows Task and Start Menu:
  • The monitoring technology now detects pinning applications or unpinning them from the Windows Task Bar or the Start Menu and create corresponding custom actions in the installation project. These actions can also be modified and created manually in the visual editor.
  • Monitoring of Software Assets Management licenses:
  • The Enterprise and Architect editions of the program allow to capture Software Assets Management (SAM) licenses during repackaging. This feature is required to repackage licensed software, that stores licenses in the SAM store. SAM licenses are automatically captured during repackaging and can be also added and modified manually in the visual editor.
  • New and improved features:
  • Significantly improved monitoring accuracy, including shortcuts monitoring, short file names support, drivers installation, etc.
  • Added an option to specify the required execution context for pre & post actions and wrapped packages, which allows to suppress unnecessary UAC prompts
  • Files that are larger than 2 GB can now be included into generated deployment packages
  • Different project types are now used to generate regular deployment packages and those using wrapping options
  • Additional files for wrapped packages are now displayed in a tree structure

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.1.10 Build 2918 (Sep 18, 2017)

  • New and improved features:
  • Improved the performance of deploying large MSI packages generated with the program
  • Resolved issues:
  • Specific registry changes from the generated MSI packages may not be correctly applied on Windows 8 and later due to access denied errors
  • Possible problems when uninstalling MSI packages containing lots of changes to file system and registry objects permissions in specific environments
  • Possible problems with packages using Smart All Users Mode that are deployed by GPO or under the System account

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.1.8 Build 2731 (Sep 18, 2017)

  • Virtual service accounts:
  • The virtual service accounts are now supported by the Live Monitoring technology, so you can repackage EXE installations that use virtual service accounts.
  • New and improved features:
  • Features below were firstly introduced or significantly improved in this release:
  • The accuracy of registry changes handling when monitoring existing installations is increased
  • Resolved issues:
  • This release contains a set of resolved issues, including most important ones, listed below:
  • The monitoring results might be incorrect if the monitored installation deletes or renames registry keys
  • The amount of free disk space required for building MSI package might be calculated incorrectly

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.1.6.2547 (Feb 28, 2017)

  • This release resolves a number of issues, the most important of which are listed below:
  • Possible repackaging errors when running the program on computers with Microsoft Windows 10 Anniversary Update installed
  • MSI packages used to deploy printers cannot to be installed on systems without default printer selected

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.1.5.2504 (Feb 20, 2017)

  • New and improved features:
  • Improved abilities of importing MSI packages produced by other tools than MSI Package Builder
  • Resolved issues:
  • A wrong working directory is set for shortcuts when importing MSI packages

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.1.4.2478 (Oct 10, 2016)

  • Resolved issues:
  • Possible critical error leading to application failure when working with projects with extremely large sets of changes

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.1.3.2426 (Sep 28, 2016)

  • New and improved features:
  • Significantly improved generation performance for MSI packages containing large sets of changes to drivers, printers and resource permissions configuration
  • Resolved issues:
  • The drivers used by MSI Package Builder for repackaging via Live Monitoring module could not be loaded on Machines running a clean install of Microsoft Windows 10 Build 1607 with the Secure Boot option enabled in UEFI BIOS
  • The Delete operation for Basic Drivers is ignored when installing an MSI package

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.1.2.2351 (Sep 22, 2016)

  • New and improved features:
  • The set of available system folders is expanded with the following folder definition placeholders: CurrentUserProfileFolder, UserProfilesFolder and CommonDocumentsFolder
  • Resolved issues:
  • The shortcut working directory is incorrectly specified while generating MSI packages in specific cases
  • Some installations that are performing changes to specific folders are repackaged incorrectly

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.1.1.2238 (Jul 28, 2016)

  • NEW AND IMPROVED FEATURES:
  • Microsoft Windows 10 operating system is added to the list of target operating systems in the resulting MSI package configuration
  • RESOLVED ISSUES:
  • Potentially incorrect drivers installations process on PCs running Microsoft Windows 7 and above

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.1.0.2104 (Jun 2, 2016)

  • Printer drivers repackaging:
  • The program allows repackaging of installations that perform changes to printing system configuration. Now the changes to printers, printer drivers, print monitors, print processors and printer ports are captured during monitoring and included into the generated MSI packages, so you can successfully repackage of complex installations that modify printing system configuration. The captured changes are displayed in the Printers section of an MSI project.
  • Printer configuration editors:
  • The new Printers section of an MSI project allows you to review the captured printing system configuration changes, edit them or add new changes manually. The program open different visual editors depending on the type of the created or modified change, so you can edit printing changes quickly and easily.
  • New and improved features:
  • Added the option to specify the target environment for the driver package
  • Improved the accuracy of gathering changes during the live monitoring process
  • Resolved issues:
  • It is impossible to deploy .NET assemblies with the same name but for different common language runtime
  • Incorrect deployment of printer drivers that are monitored as driver packages

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.0.11.1705 (May 6, 2016)

  • Resolved issue:
  • Potential failure in detecting invalid symbols for the selected code page that leads to errors during MSI package creating process

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.0.10.1684 (Mar 29, 2016)

  • Resolved issues:
  • Potential FIPS compliance issues during MSI packages generation
  • MSI generation fails if a UNC path is used as the output directory for the package
  • Potential problems with repackaging installations that change permissions on registry keys
  • Deleting of folders and registry keys may be incorrectly monitored
  • Potential memory leaks when performing drivers installation
  • The repackaging wizard does not display icons for specific applications on the monitoring process filters configuration page
  • Invalid rollback behavior for MSI packages containing drivers deployment actions

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.0.7.1577 (Feb 19, 2016)

  • Resolved issues:
  • Potential digital signature compatibility issues with Microsoft Windows 7 and earlier versions of Microsoft Windows

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.0.6.1542 (Feb 17, 2016)

  • Resolved issues:
  • The application may hang under specific circumstances when the main window is being closed
  • The file system monitoring results after drives formatting may be incorrectly collected

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.0.5.1501 (Feb 16, 2016)

  • New and improved features:
  • Improved the changes monitoring process for installations than require Microsoft .NET Framework installation as a prerequisite
  • Resolved issues:
  • The process of installing generated MSI packages may fail due to insufficient privileges for file system and registry access
  • The underlying operating system may hang when starting changes monitoring in specific environments

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.0.4.1422 (Jan 28, 2016)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added the option to create per-machine installation packages containing user specific files for all users
  • Added new Office 2016 look and feel
  • Added the latest versions of .NET Frameworks to the package target requirements

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.0.3.1306 (Dec 15, 2015)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added registration as device class filters for basic drivers and specific drivers from driver packages
  • Improved the accuracy of monitoring changes to MULTI_SZ registry values
  • Resolved issues:
  • Several reasons for code page conflicts during an MSI package creation are avoided
  • The invalid ErrorControl value was assigned to drivers in a resulting MSI package
  • The incorrect behavior of the installation path input validation mechanism

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.0.1.1205 (Nov 3, 2015)

  • Automatic code page conflicts resolving:
  • If during MSI generation a code page conflict is detected, the application shows the dialog with the problem details and allows resolving all conflicts automatically.
  • New and improved features:
  • Added an option to manually edit project entries, containing characters not available in the MSI package language, during MSI generation
  • Added an option to change the target language for the MSI package during its creation to resolve the detected code page conflicts
  • Improved performance of the code page verification process
  • Improved monitoring of driver packages installation and preinstallation to get more precise results
  • Resolved issues:
  • Potentially incorrect monitoring of driver packages installation leading to a side-effect registry changes that does not allow to deploy a generated MSI package

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 6.0.0.1094 (Oct 18, 2015)

  • Improved UI:
  • The application has an improved user interface that simplifies management of an MSI project. MSI changes are grouped by categories that are displayed under the corresponding project in the Projects view. When you select a category in the Projects view, you can review and edit the changes through the corresponding editor opened on the right of the main screen.
  • Windows 10 compatibility:
  • The application becomes compatible with Windows 10. You can repackage installations on Windows 10 x86 and x64 platforms and create MSI packages for deployment under Windows 10.
  • Repackaging of Windows drivers:
  • The Enterprise edition of the application allows you to monitor and repackage installations that deploy Windows drivers, so now you can repackage complex installations. For example, now you can repackage antiviruses, software that works with hardware, and other installations deploying different types of drivers. The captured drivers are displayed in the MSI project, so you can edit them manually, if required.
  • Improved repackaging technology;
  • Over fifty improvements have been applied to the Live Monitoring technology, so now you can repackage a wider range of installations. The Live Monitoring technology was tested on thousands of different installations to provide you with a quality repackaging solution that can be used successfully for various purposes.

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.2.9.3741 (Jun 10, 2015)

  • New and improved features:
  • Improved Live Update and Major Update wizards
  • Resolved issues:
  • Wizard pages sizes are calculated incorrectly on PCs with specific OS settings

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.2.8.3210 (May 21, 2015)

  • Some certificates from those installed in the operating system that can be used for signing a generated MSI package are missing in the signing certificate choosing dialog
  • Possible critical error when generating MSI packages based on specific monitoring results

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.2.7.3124 (Apr 6, 2015)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added navigation through the file system changes using a keyboard when the folder content preview part of the File System view is active.
  • Resolved issues:
  • File system changes that contain the '~' symbol in the path are treated incorrectly during monitoring
  • A service binary path is incorrectly detected during monitoring in case when it contains system variable placeholders
  • The system folder definition placeholders may be incorrectly processed in specific environments

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.2.5.2902 (Nov 20, 2014)

  • Resolved issues:
  • MSI package may be generated incorrectly when the project contains file system paths that are not rolled to system folders
  • Possible errors during deployment of MSI packages that do not allow to complete the installation process

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.2.4.2833 (Oct 30, 2014)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added an option to define custom icons for shortcuts
  • Added an option to repackage installations launched via batch (.cmd and .bat) files
  • Added an option to wrap installations launched via batch (.cmd and .bat) files
  • Improved the Live Monitoring technology to allow capturing shortcuts with custom icons
  • Resolved issues:
  • Potential errors while decompilation of MSI packages containing external files
  • Compatibility issues with Windows 10 Preview

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.2.3.2709 (Oct 14, 2014)

  • New and improved features:
  • Improved the accuracy of live monitoring
  • Resolved issues:
  • The services that use the extension different from the .exe are monitored incorrectly
  • The MULTI_SZ values may be incorrectly included into a resulting MSI package, that leads to value applying errors during the package deployment
  • Specific changes made to the side-by-side assemblies configuration under live monitoring are rendered incorrectly when deploying a resulting package
  • Operations performed to the NTFS hard links are incorrectly captured during monitoring

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.2.2.2644 (Oct 1, 2014)

  • Resolved issues:
  • It is impossible to install a generated MSI package when its size is greater than 2 GB
  • Potential fatal errors while generating an MSI package

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.2.1.2506 (Jul 14, 2014)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added validation of assembly files while creating and editing side-by-side assemblies
  • Resolved issues:
  • Possibly wrong detection of side-by-side assembly files during the monitoring process
  • Potential error while loading icons for generated MSI packages

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.2.0.2411 (Jul 1, 2014)

  • Digital singing of MSI packages:
  • If you have a digital certificate, you can sign the generated MSI packages. The digital signing options can be configured on the application Preferences dialog and can be overrided, if required, in MSI project properties. Digitally signed MSI packages are compatible with any Windows distribution software that checks digital signatures before MSI deployment.
  • New and improved features:
  • Optimized disk space usage during the MSI packages generation process
  • Resolved issues:
  • Potential 'Out of system resources' error while choosing the processes to filter from those currently running
  • The installation context ('Current User' or 'All Users') is not properly saved when creating a project via the 'Repackage Installation' wizard
  • Possible fatal system error (leading to BSoD) when monitoring changes performed by specific installations

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.1.3.2241 (May 30, 2014)

  • New and improved features:
  • The QWORD registry values are supported both in repackaging via monitoring and manual specification of registry changes
  • Resolved issues:
  • Specific DWORD values are incorrectly processed while importing registry changes
  • The additional # symbol is mistakenly added to the registry values starting with this symbol
  • The operation to be performed to the registry key is incorrectly extracted from an MSI package during decompilation

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.1.1.2108 (May 22, 2014)

  • Permissions monitoring:
  • The application allows monitoring of file system and registry permission changes, applied by the monitored installation. As the result, installations performing permission changes can be repackaged successfully using the installation monitoring approach.
  • New and improved features:
  • The below features have been introduced for the first time or significantly improved in this release:
  • Improved monitoring of side-by-side assemblies
  • Improved monitoring of Windows services
  • Resolved issues:
  • This release resolves a number of issues, the most important of which are listed below:
  • Specific keys are not removed from the registry while uninstalling a generated MSI package
  • An MSI package cannot be generated if it is based on a project created via monitoring and containing a shortcut to a drive

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.1.0.2014 (Apr 23, 2014)

  • Side-by-side assemblies repackaging:
  • Installation packages that deploy side-by-side assemblies can be successfully repackaged using this version of the application. Previous versions of the application reported side-by-side configuration errors during repackaging of such installations, but now the improved installation monitoring module can repackage side-by-side assemblies. The captured assemblies are displayed on the corresponding tab where you can review and change assemblies, if required.
  • NET Framework dependency detection:
  • If the monitored installation deploys .NET assemblies, the application automatically detects .NET Framework required for these assemblies and configures the corresponding dependency that is changed when the MSI package is deployed. You can change .NET Framework requirements using the corresponding option when you configure an MSI package.
  • New and improved features:
  • Improved handling of shortcuts creation during the monitoring process
  • Increased changes monitoring accuracy
  • Resolved issues:
  • Repackaging via monitoring does not work for the packages that install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
  • Specific files required by the installed software package may be mistakenly skipped while monitoring performed changes
  • The Show in Windows Programs and Features option does not work for specific installation packages
  • Specific shortcuts may become invalid after rolling system folders

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.0.2.1478 (Feb 25, 2014)

  • The below features have been introduced for the first time or significantly improved in this release:
  • Added an option to suppress the software installed via wrapped packages from being displayed in the Programs and Features section of the Windows Control Panel
  • This release resolves a number of issues, the most important of which are listed below:
  • Change type is not displayed for registry keys in monitoring results
  • The MSI packages created via existing packages decompilation may be installed with errors
  • Possible errors when closing the application

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.0.1.1293 (Feb 1, 2014)

  • The below features have been introduced for the first time or significantly improved in this release:
  • An option was added to specify any command line to uninstall and/or repair an executable package wrapped into the generated MSI package
  • The range of property definition placeholders used for wrapped package parameters configuration was extended
  • This release resolves a number of issues, the most important of which are listed below:
  • The predefined monitoring filters are corrected
  • Installation completion is not detected correctly if the monitored installation launches more than 64 processes
  • Some executable installations cannot be repackaged using wrapping
  • Packages with external files cannot be repaired and uninstalled together with the generated package when wrapped into an x64 MSI

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 5.0.0.1148 (Jan 25, 2014)

  • The application interface is completely reworked. The new UI has modern Ribbon-based look and was designed to simplify repackaging, MSI configuration and generation tasks. It features the following improvements:
  • The starting Welcome page with the list of main actions, help resources and recently opened projects
  • New data editors with the options to sort and filter the displayed data
  • New data management dialogs with the extended options
  • Improved wizards that are designed to simplify the main operations
  • Brand-new monitoring system with Intellectual Assistant:
  • Live Monitoring technology that tracks file system and registry changes was significantly improved. The new monitoring system increases repackaging success rate by 25% according to tests. The new system includes Intellectual Assistant that checks capturing results to problems and the application shows suggestions how to resolve them.
  • New repackaging method: installation wrapping:
  • The new installation repackaging method allows to wrap one or multiple original installations in a single MSI packages. It can be used if original installations support silent deployment.
  • When you add a new original installation you need to specify the location of the installation file and also the command-line parameters used for installing in the silent mode. When the generated MSI package is installed it runs the included original installations with specified silent deployment options to install them silently. The installations are deployed one-by-one according with the order you defined.
  • Extended and reorganized MSI generation options:
  • The application allows you to create upgradable MSI packages using the improved upgrade options that are represented on the MSI generation dialog. Using them you can enable or disable upgrades, protect MSI from downgrading. Also during MSI generation you can select supported OS where the generated MSI package can be installed. The list of available OS includes the latest Windows versions, including Windows 8.1 and Windows 2012 R2.
  • The automated monitoring mode:
  • This new feature is designed to simplify the repackaging process and improve repackaging success rate. If you select the Automated Monitoring option in the Repackage Installation wizard, the application automatically stops installation monitoring and generate an MSI at the right time when the monitored installation and all related processes are completed. It guarantees that monitoring results include all required changes.
  • Multi-installation repackaging:
  • You can repackage multiple installations in a single MSI packages. It is supported by both monitoring and wrapping repackaging modes. You can specify multiple installations to be repackaged in the required order. In the monitoring mode the specified installations are executed one-by-one and an MSI package is generated based on the monitoring results. In the wrapping mode the specified installations are deployed silently when the MSI containing the installations is deployed.
  • Using MSI properties in project entries:
  • If required you can use standard MSI properties in the file system and registry entries of MSI projects. For example, if a registry key includes the path to a file in a system folder, this path can be different on different OS, so if you specify just the path, the generated MSI can work incorrectly on other OS. In such cases you can use MSI properties that refer the standard system folder locations and are converted to correct path during MSI deployment.
  • New installation repackaging wizard:
  • The new repackaging wizard is designed to help you to repackage installations quickly and easily. It consists of just a several steps required to select the repackaged application and specify the repackaging options. The wizard guides you through repackaging process and for every step you can find the detailed on-screen instructions. Also the wizard includes recommendations for creating repackaging environment and provides you with the information about the repackaging best practices.
  • New and improved features:
  • Added options to suggest a feature and report a problem directly from the application
  • Improved logging and reworked error messages to provide more detailed info for troubleshooting

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.5.9.7514 (Dec 27, 2013)

  • The below features have been introduced for the first time or significantly improved in this release:
  • Improved diagnostics of the Live Monitoring modules initialization
  • Resolved issues:
  • Potential errors when starting the monitoring process
  • Misspelled user interface captions

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.5.8.7507 (Dec 5, 2013)

  • New and improved features:
  • The repackaging results stability is increased due to the improvements in analysis of the changes performed by original installations
  • Resolved issues:
  • An MSI package containing Chinese characters could not be created
  • The files that are deployed as shared libraries by a monitored installation are never removed after installing a generated MSI package
  • The improper configuration of system monitoring filters, that may lead to incorrect repackaging on Microsoft Windows Vista and higher

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.5.7.7481 (Aug 22, 2013)

  • New and improved features:
  • Improved memory usage while loading images
  • Resolved issues:
  • Sometimes the application cannot be started due to unhandled errors

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.5.6.7426 (Jul 25, 2013)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added Windows 8 as a target operating system for generated MSI packages
  • Significantly increased file system and registry import operations performance
  • Resolved issues:
  • After installing the generated MSI package there is no icon for the desktop shortcut
  • The uninstall filters may not be applied correctly after loading an existing project

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.5.5.7328 (Jun 3, 2013)

  • New and improved features:
  • Improved projects loading performance
  • Resolved issues:
  • The Live Monitoring process cannot be started on PCs running Microsoft Windows Vista or later Windows versions
  • The system folders included in the file system monitoring and uninstall filters may be rolled and unrolled incorrectly
  • The appending and prepending of a registry value may not be correctly detected during an MSI package decompilation
  • Potential errors when closing the application

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.5.3.7211 (Dec 27, 2012)

  • New and improved features:
  • Added monitoring of Java installersImproved stability of MSI packages generation
  • Resolved issues:
  • This release contains a number of resolved issues the most important of which are listed below:
  • Errors during execution of repackaged applicationsTemporary installation files are available in installation projects after monitoring

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.5.2.7120 (Aug 31, 2012)

  • New and improved features:
  • Features below were firstly introduced or significantly improved in this release:
  • The application now supports Microsoft Windows 8Large MSI packages are built significantly faster
  • Resolved issues:
  • This release contains a set of resolved issues, including most important ones, listed below:
  • It is impossible to create an MSI package on PCs with only Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 installed

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.5.1.7068 (May 7, 2012)

  • Browse Project option for Run Actions configuration
  • The MSI package installation progress is not displayed on PCs running Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Server 2003
  • Wrong user interface elements alignment in some dialogs

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.5.0.7011 (Feb 11, 2012)

  • Improved custom actions:
  • Custom actions, that can be executed automatically during installation and uninstallation of generated MSI packages, were improved. You can not only to define an action, but also pass command-line parameters to the executed action, let MSI installer to wait for completion of the action and cancel MSI installation in case of error in the executed action. You can also define multiple actions that will be executed before or after installation and uninstallation.
  • Target platform selection:
  • When you generate an MSI package, you can select if you like to generate it for x86 or x64 platform. By default the application will generate MSI for the platform where MSI generation is performed. This option can be useful for cases when MSI project is created manually, but it's not recommended to change the platform for projects that were generated automatically using the Live Monitoring technology, because in this case generated project may work incorrectly.
  • New and improved features:
  • Added an option in the Project Wizard to pass command-line parameters to an installations that are started automatically for monitoring of their actions.
  • Resolved issues:
  • Possible errors while opening existing projects

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.4.9.6932 (Dec 5, 2011)

  • New and improved features:
  • Features below were firstly introduced or significantly improved in this release:
  • Added preview of System Folders locations on the Machine where MSI Package Builder is running
  • Resolved issues:
  • .NET applications may stop working after installing of an MSI packages created using the Live Monitoring technology in the specific environments

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.4.8.6811 (Oct 8, 2011)

  • Custom actions execution:
  • The application allows you to specify custom actions that should be executed by an MSI package when its installation and/or uninstallation will be completed. On the Run Actions tab of the Wizard you can enter a path to an executable file or a batch script located on a PC after an MSI installation, in order to execute it. You can also specify an URL to open it in browser or path to files in order to open them by default viewers registered in a system.
  • Resolved issues:
  • Error during decompilation of large MSI packages
  • Potential errors during shortcuts creation
  • Wrong sort order in the Open Project dialog

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 4.4.7.6712 (Jul 12, 2011)

  • Allows to specify upgrade and product GUIDs manually, introduces an option to restart a service during MSI installation/uninstallation and includes a few bug fixes.

New in EMCO MSI Package Builder Architect 3.3.1.24 (May 31, 2007)

  • Application was split on three editions with different functionality and price. If you don't need full range of MSI Package Builder features you can select edition with less functionality and save costs.