[wix-users] Updates with Major.Minor.Build.Revision needed

[Edwin Castro]

On Thu, Aug 11, 2016 at 11:06 PM, Steffen Vogel <codedevbird at gmail.com> wrote:
> @David Connet, Thanks for the great idea with a different version format for
> the MSi, but unfortunately I can't do this because of my boss.

Look, it doesn't matter what your boss wants. Windows Installer works
a particular way. Period. What your boss wants doesn't change how
Windows Installer works.

To get major upgrades to work (and yes, you do want major upgrades)
you need to ensure that PackageCode, ProductCode, and ProductVersion
all change between upgrade packages while keeping UpgradeCode the
same. Windows Installer allows you to use four-quad versions for
ProductVersion but it will only compare the first three quads. You do
not have a major upgrade if your ProductVersion changes from 1.2.3.4
to 1.2.3.5. The first three quads are the same. There is no change and
your upgrade will not work as expected. Adding anything to "protect
against downgrades" doesn't matter because you're not upgrading
properly yet.

Your best course of action is to educate your boss on how Windows
Installer works and then collectively come up with a strategy that
allows your first three quads of ProductVersion to change in your MSI.
That will allow major upgrades to work properly as expected and, if
you use <MajorUpgrade/> you'll get downgrade protection for free. If
you can't find a way to ensure that the first three quads change in
ProductVersion for your MSI between upgrades, then you'll need to
choose a different setup technology.

--
Edwin G. Castro