How to execute a command from with in MSI?

Question

Hi,

I have a installation setup with works like this: /exec.exe /some-command

This whole setup is located on a shared disk to which my target machine have access to. All i want is to create a small MSI wrapper that basically executes the above command. I don't need to any other fancy things?

I looked up on the web; there are tools that create MSI for you but they generate huge amount of other things with them as well.

My need is very simple and straight forward. It would be great if some could help me with this issue.

Thanks, Omer

Answer 1

MSI seems like the wrong tool for the job in this instance. A big reason that MSI's are popular, is because they allow for easy install/uninstall in one package (among many other things).

I'd suggest using a simple batch (or vbscript, or perl script, or whatever) wrapped up in a self-extracting executable. This way you can include custom logic, all without the overhead of the MSI. Besides, you aren't using any of the functionality of an MSI --- except that it wraps up files into a single file.

You can use a pay program such as WinZip Self-Extractor, or you can use 7-zip (free) and a GUI app someone has written to create self-extracting EXE's: 7-ZIP SFX MAKER

I've used 7-zip sfx maker before, and I can vouch that it works very well.

Answer 2

With WiX it is very simple to create a MSI-Wrapper that just executes a custom action firing up a command line.