[wix-users] MSI vs. Bootstrapper

[Rob Mensching]

+1

_____________________________________________________________
 Short replies here. Complete answers over there: http://www.firegiant.com/


-----Original Message-----
From: wix-users [mailto:wix-users-bounces at lists.wixtoolset.org] On Behalf Of Carter Young
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2016 4:38 PM
To: wix-users at lists.wixtoolset.org
Subject: Re: [wix-users] MSI vs. Bootstrapper

First off, please note that I'm not yelling at you.  Since the list is text based, I've caps locked areas that I'd rather bold, but can't.

You're over complicating the issue here.  Bundle the MSI into the Bootstrapper as you have done, or only send the MSI to customers. A bootstrapper as a whole when compared to a MSI as a whole are mutually exclusive items, which is the intended behavior you're trying to circumvent by over thinking.  Put another way:

Bundles can contain individual MSI's, as Chains, but MSI's cannot contain bundles.  Installing a Bundle creates an ARP Entry in Programs and Features for the whole Bundle, and the Bundle is Intended to contain multiple Items, as Chains.  Installing the MSI will create a duplicate ARP entry because although the GUID might match, an MSI does not and cannot contain a chain reference, and only installs as a "link in the chain".