Building a custom WiX extension

You've been exposed to several of the WiX extensions already. WixUIExtension adds a premade user interface. WixNetFxExtension gives you information about the version of .NET that's installed. WixUtilExtension provides a number of elements for jobs such as adding users, editing XML files, and setting Internet shortcuts.

There are also other extensions that we haven't covered, including WixSqlExtension that can set up an MSSQL database, WixIIsExtension for adding websites, app pools and virtual directories to IIS, and WixDifxAppExtension for installing Windows drivers. For more information about these extensions, check out the WiX documentation at http://wix.sourceforge.net/manual-wix3/schema_index.htm. In this chapter, you will learn to make your own extension and bend WiX to your will for fortune and glory.

To get started, let's define what an extension is and what it would take to make one.

Setting the stage

A WiX extension is a .NET assembly that, when added...