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WiX 3.6: A Developer's Guide to Windows Installer XML
WiX 3.6: A Developer's Guide to Windows Installer XML

WiX 3.6: A Developer's Guide to Windows Installer XML: An all-in-one introduction to Windows Installer XML from the installer and beyond

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WiX 3.6: A Developer's Guide to Windows Installer XML

Chapter 2. Creating Files and Directories

In the previous chapter, we saw that creating a WiX installer isn't so tough. Less than seventy lines of code and you've got a professional-looking deployment solution. One of the things we covered was how to copy files and create directories on the end user's computer. We've covered the basics, but now it's time to dig deeper.

In this chapter you will learn how to:

  • Organize your File and Directory elements using the DirectoryRef and ComponentGroup elements

  • Split your WiX markup using Fragment elements to keep it manageable

  • Use heat.exe to create the Component markup

  • Install special case files such as installing to the GAC

The File element


The File element, as you've seen, is used to designate each file that you plan to copy to the end user's computer. At a minimum, it should contain a Source attribute that identifies the path to the file on your development machine, as shown:

<Component Id="CMP_MyProgramEXE"
           Guid="2C34F22F-1F48-4949-B68B-939F852F8B35">
  <File Source="MyProgram.exe" />
</Component>

There are a number of optional attributes available. The Name attribute tells the installer what the file will be called after it's installed. If omitted, the file will retain its original name as specified in the Source attribute. The KeyPath attribute explicitly marks the file as the keypath for the component, although if there is only one File element in Component it will, by default, be the keypath. The Id attribute uniquely identifies the file in the MSI database's File table. The following is an example that demonstrates these attributes:

<Component Id="CMP_MyProgramEXE"
   ...

The DirectoryRef element


In the previous chapter, you saw that to define which directories to copy your files into, you use Directory elements. These take an Id value and, if it's a new directory that you're creating, a Name attribute. You can use any of the built-in IDs to reference one of the common Windows directories. For example, suppose we wanted to add an XML configuration file for our software to the %PROGRAMDATA% folder. We'd add a reference to it using the built-in CommonAppDataFolder property as Directory Id:

<Directory Id="TARGETDIR" Name="SourceDir">
   <Directory Id="CommonAppDataFolder">
      <Directory Id="MyCommonAppDataFolder" 
                 Name="Awesome Software" />
   </Directory>
</Directory>

Here we are placing a new folder called Awesome Software inside the %PROGRAMDATA% folder. The new folder gets a Name attribute to label it. The Id attribute is up to us and uniquely identifies the directory in the MSI database. To add a file to...

The ComponentGroup element


The ComponentGroup element is used to group Component elements, which is helpful as it offers a way to reference all of your components with a single element. For example, when adding components to Feature (which you must always do), you could use ComponentRef elements directly. This is the technique we used in the previous chapter:

<Feature Id="ProductFeature"
         Title="Main Product"
         Level="1">
  <ComponentRef Id="CMP_MyProgramEXE" />
  <ComponentRef Id="CMP_AnotherFileDLL" />
</Feature>

However, by creating ComponentGroup, you can reference multiple components with a single ComponentGroupRef element. This is shown in the following snippet:

<Feature Id="ProductFeature"
         Title="Main Product"
         Level="1">
  <ComponentGroupRef Id="MyComponentGroup" />
</Feature>

Try it out by adding a new CompontGroup element to your .wxs file. It can go anywhere inside the Product element. Then, you have a choice...

The Fragment element


Up to this point, we've been adding all of our WiX elements to the Product.wxs file. When your installer packages hundreds of files, you'll find that having all of your code in one place makes reading it difficult. You can split your elements up into multiple .wxs files for better organization and readability. Whereas your main source file, Product.wxs, nests everything inside a Product element, your additional .wxs files will use Fragment elements as their roots.

The Fragment element doesn't need any attributes. It's simply a container. You can place just about anything inside of it, such as all of your Directory elements or all of your Component elements. For the next example, add a new WiX source file to your project and place the following markup inside it. Here, we're using the same ComponentGroup that we discussed earlier. You can call the file Components.wxs, and it should look something like the following code snippet:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?&gt...

Harvesting files with heat.exe


When your project contains many files to install, it can be a chore to create File and Component elements for all of them. Instead, WiX can do it for you. One of the tools that ships with the toolset is called heat.exe. You can find it in the bin directory of the WiX program files. Navigate to WiX's bin directory from a command prompt and type heat.exe -? to see information about its usage.

To make things easy, consider adding the path to the WiX bin directory to your computer's PATH environment variable so that you won't have to reference the full path to the executable each time you use it. You can do this on Windows 7 by right-clicking on My Computer in your Start Menu and then going to Properties | Advanced system settings | Environment Variables. From there, you can add the WiX bin path, C:\Program Files (x86)\WiX Toolset v3.6\bin, to PATH by finding PATH in the list of system variables and clicking on Edit.

Note

Note that WiX, during its installation, adds...

Copying and moving files


File and Component elements allow you to add new files to the end user's computer. However, WiX also provides ways to copy and move files. For these tasks, you'll use the CopyFile element. We'll discuss how to use it in the following sections.

Copying files you install

The CopyFile element can copy a file that you're installing and place it in another directory. You'll nest it inside the File element of the file you want to duplicate. First, we'll add a subdirectory to the MyProgramDir folder that we're already creating under Program Files. The new directory will be called Copied Files.

<Directory Id="TARGETDIR"
           Name="SourceDir">
  <Directory Id="ProgramFilesFolder">
    <Directory Id="MyProgramDir"
               Name="Awesome Software">
      <Directory Id="CopiedFiles"
                 Name="Copied Files" />
    </Directory>
  </Directory>
</Directory>

Now, we can nest a CopyFile element inside the File element...

Installing special-case files


In the following sections, we'll take a look at installing files that are different from other types that we've talked about so far. Specifically, we'll cover how to install an assembly file (.dll) to the Global Assembly Cache and how to install a TrueType font file.

Adding assembly files to the GAC

The Global Assembly Cache (GAC) is a central repository in Windows where you can store .NET assembly files so that they can be shared by multiple applications. You can add a .NET assembly to it with WiX by setting the File element's Assembly attribute to .net. The following example installs an assembly file to the GAC:

<DirectoryRef Id="MyProgramDir">
  <Component Id="CMP_MyAssembly" 
             Guid="4D98D593-F4E0-479B-A7DA-80BBB78B54CB">
    <File Id="File_MyAssembly"
          Assembly=".net" 
          Source="MyAssembly.dll"
          KeyPath="yes" />
  </Component>
</DirectoryRef>

Even though we've placed this component inside a...

Installing 64-bit files


Let's say that you have a .NET assembly that's targeting the x64 platform and you want the installer for it to place that file into the 64-bit Program Files folder (available on 64-bit Windows operating systems). For the uninitiated: you can set the platform for the assembly using Visual Studio's Configuration Manager, as shown in the following screenshot:

The first thing to do is to open Properties for the WiX project and, on the Tools Settings tab, add –arch x64 to the Compiler parameters, as shown in the following screenshot:

Next, change the Directory element that is referencing ProgramFilesFolder to instead reference ProgramFiles64Folder, given as follows:

<Directory Id="TARGETDIR" Name="SourceDir">
  <Directory Id="ProgramFiles64Folder">
    <Directory Id="INSTALLFOLDER" Name="My Software" />
  </Directory>
</Directory>

Now your 64-bit assembly can be put into this directory. WiX detects the architecture of the .NET assemblies for...

Creating an empty folder


Ordinarily, Windows Installer won't let you create empty folders. However, there is a way: Use the CreateFolder element inside an otherwise empty Component element. First, you'll define the name of your empty directory with a Directory element. Follow this example:

<Directory Id="TARGETDIR"
           Name="SourceDir">
  <Directory Id="ProgramFilesFolder">
    <Directory Id="MyProgramDir"
               Name="Awesome Software">
      <Directory Id="MyEmptyDir"
                 Name="Empty Directory" />
    </Directory>
  </Directory>
</Directory>

In the example, we've added a new Directory element named Empty Directory inside our main application folder. The next step is to add a component to this directory by using a DirectoryRef element. Notice that we've set the KeyPath attribute on the component to yes, as there will be no file to serve this purpose:

<DirectoryRef Id="MyEmptyDir">
  <Component Id="CMP_MyEmptyDir...

Setting file permissions


WiX allows you to set the permissions that Windows users and groups have to the files that you install. You can see these permissions by right-clicking on a file and selecting the Security tab. On Windows XP, you may have to configure your system so that this tab is visible. In Windows Explorer, open the folder that you want to configure and go to Tools | Folder Options | View. Then, uncheck the box that says Use simple file sharing. The following is an example of the Security tab on a file:

To set the permissions for a file that you're installing, nest a PermissionEx element inside the corresponding File element. This element, which is available from WixUtilExtension, has various attributes that can be used to define file permissions. Before you can use it, you'll need to add a reference to WixUtilExtension.dll in your project. Go to Add Reference in Solution Explorer and select the WiXUtilExtension assembly. Next, add the following namespace to your Wix element...

Speeding up file installations


We haven't talked too much about how the files and directories that you author in your WiX source files are stored in the MSI database's tables. The files are stored in a table called File, the directories in a table called Directory, and the components in a table called Component. You can see this by opening the MSI package with Orca.exe.

In the following example, I have four files that are being installed. I've used the convention of prefixing my file IDs with FILE_, giving me FILE_InstallMeTXT, for example:

Each file in the File table is sorted alphabetically by the Id value you gave to it via the File element. This is the order in which the files are copied to the end user's computer. So, how can you make things faster? You can give your files IDs that will cause WiX to sort them more efficiently.

The file copy process takes longer when Windows has to write to one directory and then switch to another and then another and so on. If it could copy all of the...

Summary


In this chapter, we discussed the elements used to install files and create directories. The File, Directory, and Component elements play vital roles here, but you may also benefit from using ComponentGroup to group your components. This allows you to better organize your markup and even to separate it into multiple WiX source files.

The heat.exe tool can create Component elements for you. You simply need to point it at a certain directory. However, it's best to fine-tune its arguments so that the output that you get is optimal. We discussed a few other topics such as how to copy a file, how to set file permissions, and how to organize your File element Id attributes for maximum installation speed.

In the next chapter, we'll move on to discuss WiX properties and the various ways of searching the end user's system for files, directories, and settings.

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Key benefits

  • Brings the reader up to speed on all of the major features of WiX, including the new bootstrapper engine, Burn
  • Provides a richer understanding of the underlying Windows Installer technology
  • Showcases the flexibility and versatility of WiX, with a few tips and tricks along the way

Description

The cryptic science of Windows Installer can seem far off from the practical task of simply getting something installed. Luckily, we have WiX to simplify the matter. WiX is an XML markup, distributed with an open-source compiler and linker, used to produce a Windows Installer package. It is used by Microsoft and by countless other companies around the world to simplify deployments. "WiX 3.6: A Developer's Guide to Windows Installer XML" promises a friendly welcome into the world of Windows Installer. Starting off with a simple, practical example and continuing on with increasingly advanced scenarios, the reader will have a well-rounded education by book's end. With the help of this book, you'll understand your installer better, create it in less time, and save money in the process. No one really wants to devote a lifetime to understanding how to create a hassle-free installer. Learn to build a sophisticated deployment solution targeting the Windows platform in no time with this hands-on practical guide. Here we speed you through the basics and zoom right into the advanced. You'll get comfortable with components, features, conditions and actions. By the end, you'll be boasting your latest deployment victories at the local pub. Once you've finished "WiX 3.6: A Developer's Guide to Windows Installer XML", you'll realize just how powerful and awesome an installer can really be.

Who is this book for?

If you are a developer and want to create installers for software targeting the Windows platform, then this book is for you. You'll be using plenty of XML and ought to know the basics of writing a well-formed document. No prior experience in WiX or Windows Installer is assumed. You should know your way around Visual Studio to compile projects, add project references and tweak project properties.

What you will learn

  • Register with Add/Remove Programs and build in a consistent way to uninstall your software
  • Customize an easy to navigate install Wizard
  • Gain an understanding of the order in which events happen during an install and how to hook into this process
  • Learn how WiX builds and links your files into the final MSI package and how to fine tune this process
  • Make your project more modular with Fragments, Components, and ComponentGroups
  • Prevent users from installing your software on unsupported operating systems and introduce other prerequisite checks
  • Install, start, stop, and uninstall Windows services at the time of setup
  • Bootstrap required dependencies before installing your own software
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Table of Contents

16 Chapters
Getting Started Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Creating Files and Directories Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Putting Properties and AppSearch to Work Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Improving Control with Launch Conditions and Installed States Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Understanding the Installation Sequence Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Adding a User Interface Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Using UI Controls Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Tapping into Control Events Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Working from the Command Line Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Accessing the Windows Registry Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Controlling Windows Services Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Localizing Your Installer Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Upgrading and Patching Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Extending WiX Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Bootstrapping Prerequisites with Burn Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Customizing the Burn UI Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.3
(36 Ratings)
5 star 55.6%
4 star 22.2%
3 star 13.9%
2 star 8.3%
1 star 0%
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Amazon Customer Jul 18, 2013
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book helped me get a functioning, non-trivial installer put together within a few days. I turned to this book after feeling lost when looking at the project's on-line docs and tutorial. This book has plenty of explanations and the author lays out the subject in a logical manner which makes it easy to follow.
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Jeff S Dec 09, 2017
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
With the lack of any usable deployment applications for Visual Studio 2017 I decided to give WiX a try. Well, after spending many hours researching, and irritating the hell out of the compiler I decided to buy this book. It was well worth it! It answered so many questions that I had, and resolved all of the issues that I was stumbling to resolve. The resources that are available on-line are scattered and often inconclusive. This book is the answer!I always try to keep up on the advancements in software development, and always invest in the newest version of Visual Studio. Having used this IDE since its conception, I’m very comfortable with it, and have used it for all developments in C#, VB, and C++. However, I have also relied on third party "black box" deployment tools. Those third parties are using technologies that are available to everyone for free! Why pay them when you can do it yourself! I was lazy. Also, there's no man behind the curtain here, everything is open source!If you are serious about software development, and want full control over your application from start to finish, WiX is the icing on the cake. With this book as a guide you will be able to prepare setups that are tailor made to fit each installation. Also, it’s a good read!
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JSR Dec 20, 2013
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I bought the first edition (for Kindle). It was extremely useful and well written. I just bought the new edition. If you are developing an installer using WiX, you NEED this book.
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Spurthi Jun 16, 2022
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Best book to understand each and every basic concept!!This book is extremely useful to everyone who want to be an expert in WIX!!! Very helpful!
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K. Molkenthin Jan 10, 2014
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Nach dem Upgrade von Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 auf 2013 musste ich feststellen, dass die bisher vorhandenen Setup-Projekte nicht mehr Bestandteil von Visual Studio 2013 sind. Also musste eine professionelle und möglichst kostenlose Alternative her.Diese gibt es mit Wix (hier hätte man dem Namensgeber mal die deutsche Bedeutung näherbringen sollen). Allerdings ist WiX funktional so umfassend und für Umsteiger von anderen Setup-Tools bisweilen sehr herausfordernd, so dass eine gute und umfängliche Dokumentation notwendig ist.Diese liegt mit dem vorliegenden Buch eindeutig vor. Sämtliche Aspekte von WiX werden behandelt und praxisnahe Lösungen werden angeboten, so dass man schnell seine eigenen Setup-Projekte mit WiX realisieren kann.
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Rest of the World:

Premium: Countries in the American continent: Trackable delivery to most countries within 4-7 business days

Asia:

Premium: Delivery to most Asian addresses within 5-9 business days

Disclaimer:
All orders received before 5 PM U.K time would start printing from the next business day. So the estimated delivery times start from the next day as well. Orders received after 5 PM U.K time (in our internal systems) on a business day or anytime on the weekend will begin printing the second to next business day. For example, an order placed at 11 AM today will begin printing tomorrow, whereas an order placed at 9 PM tonight will begin printing the day after tomorrow.


Unfortunately, due to several restrictions, we are unable to ship to the following countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. American Samoa
  3. Belarus
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. Central African Republic
  6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. Eritrea
  8. Guinea-bissau
  9. Iran
  10. Lebanon
  11. Libiya Arab Jamahriya
  12. Somalia
  13. Sudan
  14. Russian Federation
  15. Syrian Arab Republic
  16. Ukraine
  17. Venezuela