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Suggestions for installer sw

We would like to configure some of the .msi files that we are pushing out and are looking for a tool that would allow us work with the settings of the installer. Does anyone have suggestions of a good tool that has worked for them?


5 Comments   [ + ] Show comments
  • ORCA is free

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa370557(v=vs.85).aspx - nshah 9 years ago
  • I'll second nshah's Orca recommendation - rockhead44 9 years ago
  • Thanks for the replies - we have used Orca in the past and while it's ok, we've found it a bit clunky - anybody else have a product on the market? - tstrub 9 years ago
  • can you clarify your 'java loads' bit?? - Badger 9 years ago
    • We are trying to find if there is a way through the installer to make the java install 1) silent and 2) if possible, deny updates - thanks - tstrub 9 years ago
  • Just a java install, oh yes, there is loads of ways of doing that. Have a look at the blogs. The latest versions are 'better'. Install the EXE, get the extracted MSI but just the Java MSI NOT the AU.msi (Automatic updates) install the Java MSI silently, job done. (New versions also put shortcuts in the start menu). Also bear in mind every single version of java is different, this might change for future one, and is definitely different for 1.6 versions. - Badger 9 years ago

Answers (4)

Answer Summary:
Posted by: tryitout 9 years ago
White Belt
2

Microsoft has a free tool called ORCA that allows you to modify MSI files.  I use it all the time.

 

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa370557(v=vs.85).aspx

Posted by: vjaneczko 9 years ago
9th Degree Black Belt
1

Orca is pretty much the only free tool out there and is really only used to change a typo in the properties table of an MSI/MST - anything beyond that and it gets crazy confusing for most of us. 

After Orca, you have to "pay to play".  Since Wise Package Studio is dead, AdminStudio from Flexera is pretty much the only tool in the market.  Yes, there are others to choose from, but they have very limited support and not as much capabilities as AdminStudio.  Flexera must have 98.997% of the market and using any other tool is not going to help you learn the details of MSI technology because they have their own propreitary way to creating MSI's which do not conform to the standards Microsoft established 20 years ago.

You could mention MSI Studio, but that only exists as a module within ChangeBASE from Dell Software, so that could be an option if you need to leverage the testing tools offered by CB.

Posted by: Badger 9 years ago
Red Belt
1

Orca is a bit hard core, but its my choice. What deployment tool are you using? Flexera offer a free 'limited' tool set for SCCM, Altiris & LANDesk. Infopulse have a useful & reasonably priced tool.


Comments:
  • We're using KACE and are looking for something that could modify the java loads. - tstrub 9 years ago
    • can you explain the 'java loads' a bit more??? - Badger 9 years ago
Posted by: ganymede13906 9 years ago
White Belt
1

Orca is the only free option that allows you to perform low-level MSI editing. Of course, you need to know MSI tables and understand what you do.

Another set of tools include AdminStudio and Advanced Installer. AdminStudio is more powerful, more expensive and more complicated. AdvancedInstaller is the lighter and cheaper option. The recommended MSI Studio seems to be dead from 2011.

I recommend you to start from Orca because it's free, just to understand your goals and formulate your requirements to the commercial editor.

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