Behaviour of MSM integration

[walteste]

I tried to figure out how the installations with a MSM are behaving.

I assume, if I install Product1 with MSM1 then at the time of deinstallating the Product1 also the MSM1 gets deinstalled.

What happens in case if I install Product1 and Product2 with each one containing the MSM1? What happens if i only deinstall Product1 then?

Regards,
Stefan

[mihai.petcu]

Hi Stefan,

A merge module is just a part of the installation package. After the merge (which is performed at build time), the package incorporates the merge module (the merge module is not a separate part anymore).

Here's Creating Merge Modules and Merge Modules Page user guide articles to shed some more light.

All the best,
Mihai

[walteste]

Dear Mihai,

okay, i start understanding it now. Let's consider that the MSM installs a driver that will be used by mor Products, which means what happens then while removing one of two products which are using it?

Cheers,
Stefan

[mihai.petcu]

Hi Stefan,

Unfortunately, if you're creating a merge module with Advanced Installer you won't be able to add any drivers in it. Windows Installer doesn't support adding drivers in merge modules either.

Usually when you're including the same merge module in a couple of packages, Windows Installer keeps count. This means the resources will be completely removed only when the last package which includes the merge module will be uninstalled.

All the best,
Mihai

[walteste]

Dear Mihai,

that is exactly the answer i was looking for. Thanks a lot.

Cheers,
Stefan