Configurable Merge Modules Page

Merge modules may be created to contain attributes that are configurable by the consumer of the merge module. This enables the merge module to be configured at the time the installation package and module are merged.

When creating a configurable merge module, the author adds information in the module database that specifies which items can be modified and how these items can be configured by the module user.

When merging the module into an installation package (.msi file), the end user of the module uses a merge tool. The merge tool calls Mergemod.dll to expose the configuration information in the module to a client configuration tool. The configuration tool may interact with the end user but is not required to expose all possible configuration options. If the user declines to provide a selection for a configurable item, the module may provide a default value. After the user gives the configuration tool his selections, the merge tool calls Mergemod.dll to perform the merge.

Setting a module item as configurable

Select the desired item (resource) and from the context menu choose the “Configurable” option. The submenu specifies which of the item's attributes can be made configurable. Selecting a submenu option will display Edit Substitution Parameter Dialog allowing you to configure that attribute.

NoteIf a module item is not configurable the “Configurable” option will not be present in its context menu or will be disabled.

For example, of how to configure a Custom Action, please visit our tutorial: Create MSM packages with configurable parameters for custom actions

Merge Modules configurable attributes

The following resources can be configured in a Merge Module Project. The left column represents the resources that can be configured from the "Configuration" context menu. The right column represents the list of attributes available for each type of resource.

ResourcesAttributes
MSM Module DetailsProperty value
Environment VariablesName
Value
FilesFileName
Attributes
INI FilesName
Key
Value
ShortcutsName
Description
ShowCmd
Icon_
IconIndex
FoldersDirectory_Parent
DefaultDir
Registry"Root" registry value
AssembliesFile_Application
ServicesName
DisplayName
ServiceType
StartType
ErrorControl
LoadOrderGroup
Dependencies
StartName
Password
Description
Service Control OperationsName
Event
Arguments
Wait
ComponentsAttributes
Conditions
File SearchesFileName
MinVersion
MaxVersion
MinSize
MaxSize
MinDate
MaxDate
Languages
INI SearchFileName
Section
Key
Field
Type
Folder SearchDepth
Component SearchComponentId
Type
RegistryRoot
Key
Name
Type
Custom ActionsSource
Target

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