Windows Installer Editor Reference
440
Chapter 20
Using MSI Script
This chapter includes the following topics:
z
About MSI Script
on page 440
z
The MSI Script Window
on page 441
z
Editing Sequences
on page 445
z
Calling WiseScripts with Custom Actions
on page 447
z
Guidelines for Using Custom Actions
on page 453
z
Launching a Custom Action from a Dialog
on page 458
z
Troubleshooting Custom Actions
on page 459
About MSI Script
MSI Script™ provides an easy-to-use environment for editing Windows Installer
installation sequences, even if you are not familiar with the underlying Windows Installer
technology.
MSI Script™ contains the sequences of actions that make up an installation. The action
sequences are pre-defined following the Windows Installer guidelines for creating
sequences. The actions are in the recommended order, and, where appropriate,
conditions are set. We recommend that you do not delete or move any standard actions.
See Standard Actions Reference in the Windows Installer SDK Help.
The existing action sequences are sufficient for most installations. If you need
specialized functionality not offered by Windows Installer, you can add custom actions to
an installation. With custom actions, you can call .EXEs, .DLLs, WiseScripts, JScripts,
and VBScripts. You can set installation properties and directories and call nested .MSI
files. You can also perform many other functions such as opening a Web page or
downloading a file from a Web site.
See
Custom Action Reference
on page 460.
Windows Installer Editor uses custom actions to add functionality that is not available
with the Windows Installer standard actions. When you use certain features, such as
custom actions that call a .DLL, Wise custom actions are added to the installation.
See
Wise Custom Actions
on page 502.
Warning
Removing Wise custom actions might cause problems with the installation.
See also:
About Installation Modes
About Installation Sequences
on page 444
Finding Text in MSI Script
on page 444
