Advanced Installer's Merge Module projects allow you to create Windows Installer Merge Modules. You start a Merge Module project by selecting “Merge Module” in the Start Page.
Merge modules are simplified MSI packages that contain Windows Installer components and setup logic to be included into any number of MSI packages. A merge module cannot be installed alone because its lacks some vital database tables that are present in an installation database. Merge modules also contain additional tables that are unique to themselves. To install the information delivered by a merge module with an application, the module must first be merged into the application's .msi file. You can merge a MSI package with as many modules as you want.
Merge modules are integrated in the installers at build time.
Please keep in mind when authoring merge modules that they do not
function as separate parts, only as integrated into MSI
packages.
Every property, file, parameter or resource from a MSM can be
accessed from the main Project only by using its NAME.GUID. The Merge
Module's GUID can be found out from the Merge Module Project's "Merge
Module Details Page" or by using Microsoft Orca.
Topics
- Merge Module Details
General information about the merge module. - Digital Signature
Digitally signing your install packages. - Files and Folders
On this page you can add files, folders and shortcuts to the installation and set their properties. - Registry
On this page you can add registry keys and values to the installation, and set their properties. - File Associations
Defining File Associations in Advanced Installer. - Assemblies
Setting up Assemblies in Advanced Installer. - Services
How to install and control Windows services using Advanced Installer. - Merge Module Organization
In this page you can organize your merge module. - Media
On this page you can specify the media properties of your merge module. - Configurable Merge Modules
How to create a configurable merge module. - Translations
The Translations page allows you create packages localized in any language. - Environment Variables
Defining and working with Environment Variables in your installation. - COM
Register COMs , Type Libraries, DCOMs, COM+. - ODBC
Adding ODBC components to an Advanced Installer installation. - Search
The Search Page allows you to set up searches for files, folders, registry values, components and INI file keys. - Custom Actions
Defining and using Custom Actions during your installation process. - Table Editor
Create MSI custom tables.