Does the free version of advanced installer allow me to turn an .exe into an .msi file? I'm trying to convert some applications into MSI so that I can easily install them with group policy and Active Directory. I tried using the Simple Installation tutorial but it didn't work the way I expected. It placed the .exe INSIDE of the .msi (i was hoping it would convert it into an .msi app). If possible, could someone write up a how-to, or link me to one to accomplish this I'd appreciate it.
Thanks
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Hi,
Advanced Installer is a MSI package authoring tool, not a repackager. You need to determine what files and registry entries are installed by your program and then create a project in AI.
If you do not have access to the project file of the installer product used by this application, you can use Filemon and Regmon (free utilities available from http://www.sysinternals.com) to monitor the files and registry entries created during the setup process. With this information, you can create a new project in Advanced Installer.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Ionut
Advanced Installer is a MSI package authoring tool, not a repackager. You need to determine what files and registry entries are installed by your program and then create a project in AI.
If you do not have access to the project file of the installer product used by this application, you can use Filemon and Regmon (free utilities available from http://www.sysinternals.com) to monitor the files and registry entries created during the setup process. With this information, you can create a new project in Advanced Installer.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Ionut
-
helpdanzig
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri May 05, 2006 8:24 am
Hi,
The log file generated by Filemon displays the file system activity. You should determine from the log what files are written by the installer process for your application and where these files are created. Use filtering to display only the files created by the setup process of the application.
With this information, add the installed files in the Files and Folders page of AI. Make sure that you use a similar directory structure.
The log file generated by Regmon displays the registry activity. Again, you need to determine what registry keys/values are created by the installer process for your application and where these entries are created. Use this information to create similar entries in the Registry page of AI.
Please note that there might be other actions involved when the application is installed (such as COM module registration, etc). Also, the setup might perform custom operations depending on the system where the application is installed. It would be difficult to specify a general method for application repackaging. Therefore, file system and registry monitoring is just a starting point - other additional steps would be (probably) needed in order to have an installation package that replicates (approximately) the original package.
Regards,
Ionut
The log file generated by Filemon displays the file system activity. You should determine from the log what files are written by the installer process for your application and where these files are created. Use filtering to display only the files created by the setup process of the application.
With this information, add the installed files in the Files and Folders page of AI. Make sure that you use a similar directory structure.
The log file generated by Regmon displays the registry activity. Again, you need to determine what registry keys/values are created by the installer process for your application and where these entries are created. Use this information to create similar entries in the Registry page of AI.
Please note that there might be other actions involved when the application is installed (such as COM module registration, etc). Also, the setup might perform custom operations depending on the system where the application is installed. It would be difficult to specify a general method for application repackaging. Therefore, file system and registry monitoring is just a starting point - other additional steps would be (probably) needed in order to have an installation package that replicates (approximately) the original package.
Regards,
Ionut