Windows Installer Editor Reference
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Tools
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Adding a Validation Module to Package Validation
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Adding a Rule That Calls a Custom Action
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Adding a Validation Rule Set
Removing Files With Missing or Invalid Source
Paths
When you compile an installation that contains files with missing or broken source
paths, the compile fails. The Remove Missing Files tool reduces compile errors by
searching an installation for such files and letting you remove those files from the
installation. If you decide to leave a file in the installation, you can fix its source path.
Paths to files in an installation can break if you:
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Move files that are part of the installation to a new directory on your computer or
network.
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Move the installation file itself from your computer to another computer.
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Use relative paths and then move the installation file.
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Rename a directory.
An installation can also contain broken paths if it was created with SetupCapture.
Sometimes, SetupCapture captures references to temporary files that are deleted after
the installation is finished.
To remove files with missing or broken source paths
1. Access the Remove Missing Files tool in either of the following ways:
Perform a local compile of an installation that contains files with missing or
broken source paths.
Select Tools menu > Remove Missing Files.
The Welcome page appears.
2. Click Next.
The installation is searched and the Results page appears.
3. Select the files to remove from the installation and click Next.
The Removing Files page appears.
4. If you ran this tool from the Tools menu, the Compile This Installation check box
appears when the removal process finishes. Clear the check box to continue without
compiling.
5. Click Finish.
If you marked the Compile This Installation check box, or if you ran this tool from
within the compile process, the installation is compiled.
6. If you compiled the installation but you did not remove all the files with missing or
broken source paths, the Welcome page reappears. Do one of the following:
Step through the pages and remove the remaining files.
Click Cancel on the Welcome page, fix the source paths, and recompile.