Windows Installer Editor Reference
121
Assembling an Installation
See also:
Files or Web Files Page
on page 105
Files or Web Files Page Icons
on page 109
Installation Directories
on page 108
Adding Files to an Installation
on page 109
Adding Contents of Directories to the Installation
on page 114
Removing a File From the Destination Computer
You can add an operation to remove one or more files from the destination computer
during installation. This operation affects files that are already on the destination
computer, not files that are part of the installation.
You can use this operation to remove unneeded files on the destination computer to
keep it in a cleaner state. You also can use it to work around Windows Installer version
rules. Example: If the latest release of an installation uses an older version of a .DLL
than was used in the previous release, the version rules will not allow you to install the
older .DLL. If the installation first removes the newer .DLL from the destination
computer, then the version rules will not prevent the installation of the older .DLL.
Warning
Be very careful when removing files from the destination computer. Do not remove files
unless you are sure that they are not used by another application.
To remove a file from the destination computer
1. Do one of the following:
Select Installation Expert > Files or Web Files page.
a. From Current Feature, select a feature or condition. (Because any item you
add must be assigned to a specific feature, you cannot add an item when All
Features is selected.)
Items that you add to a feature are installed on the destination computer
only if the feature is installed. Items that you add to a condition are installed
only if the feature is installed and the condition is true.
b. Click Operation below the lower-right list box and select Remove File.
In Setup Editor, on the Components or Features tab, right-click a component or
feature and select New > Remove File.
The Remove File Details dialog box appears.
2. Complete the dialog box:
Directory
Specify the directory on the destination computer where the file is located or
create a new subdirectory. To create a new subdirectory, select a directory and
click New Folder.
File Name
Specify the name of the file to be removed. You can use wildcards to select
multiple files or you can mark All Files to select all files in the selected
directory.