 Can Feature Contain Feature?

Yes

 What are the resources made as the key path?

Files & registry.

 How to hide the entry of installed msi application in Add/Remove Programs section of
Control Panel?
By setting the property ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT=1

 How to disable the setup.exe requirement for installing the msi?

By setting the property ISSETUPDRIVEN=1

 How to resolve the DLL conflict?

By Isolation or Component GUID sychronisation.

 How many files can be kept in a component?

As per best practices only 1 file per component.

 What is the difference between .locale and .manifest?

 What is the use of setting Keypath?

 How the self healing occurs?

 Whether command line property overtakes the MSI property?

 What is Application Packaging?

Creation of an Installation Program for a piece of Software

 What is Application Repackaging?

Repackaging (Customized Installation) is the process of capturing the changes made by an
Installation Program (Package) and it is designed to support company standards and distribution
methods.

 What are the steps of Repackaging?

o Review the packaging requirements with the projects sponsor
o Analyze the vendor package (Tech Review)
o Repackage the application (Scripting)
o Customize the package
o Test the package
o Release the package to end users

 Why it is required & what are the problems in Legacy Installation?

o Customized Installation
o Reduce Support Costs
o Self Repair
o Source Resiliency
o Unattended Install

o High Support Costs

o Fragile Installs & Uninstalls
o Difficult & labor Intensive to deploy

 What Applications Should Not Be Repackaged & Why?

o Existing MSI packages should be deployed as they are.
o If you repackage an application and find that it references the MSI.DLL file, it is better not
to repackage the application.
o Microsoft Office 2000 and XP are good examples.

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 o Applications containing system files managed by the Windows File Protection features of
Windows 2000 and later are also to be avoided, such as Internet Explorer, Windows
Service Packs and certian hotfixes.

All these applications are hard coded to use the Windows Installer service, and may make calls
back to certain locations within the original MSI package.

 What are the types of Packaging tools?

o Wise for Windows Installer
o Install Shield
o SMS Installer
o Marimba

 What are the types of Deployment tools?

o Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS)
o Altiris Client Management Suite
o Altiris Notification Server Console
o Radia

 What is Windows Installer?

It is a built-in Operating System service for Installing and Managing Applications. It provides a
standard method for developing, customizing, installing and updating applications.

 Benefits of the Windows Installer?

o Advertising
o Installation on Demand
o Repair (Self-healing)
o Rollback (Transactional operations)
o Managed Shared Resources
o Installation in locked-down environments

 What are the types of Setup Captures in Wise / Install shield?

In wise there are three types

o Virtual Capture : Creates a clean virtual OS on your computer, and the installation is
redirected in the clean virtual OS.
o SmartMonitor : Watches the installation and records the changes the installation
performs.
o Snapshot : Scan the computer before and after the installation and record the
differences between the first scan and the second.

In Install Shield there are two types

o Installation Monitor : Repackager watches lower-level system activities and records

related changes made to the system by the setup(s) programs
o Snapshot : Scan the computer before and after the installation and record the differences
between the first scan and the second.
 MSI Installation Mechanism (Background Mechanism)?
o Acquisition
The Installer first installs the feature and then progresses through the actions specified in
the sequence tables of the installation database. These actions query the installation
database and generate a script that gives a step-by-step procedure for performing the
installation.

o Execution
The installer passes the information to a process with elevated privileges and runs the
script.

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 o Rollback
If an installation is unsuccessful, the installer restores the original state of the computer.
When the installer processes the installation script, it simultaneously generates a rollback
script. In addition to the rollback script, the installer saves a copy of every file it deletes
during the installation. These files are kept in a hidden, system directory. Once the
installation is complete, the rollback script and the saved files are deleted.

 What is a MSI?
MSI is “Microsoft Windows Installer”. It is an installation, in the form of a single file. It is actually a
database that contains several tables (80+). Each of these tables contains instructions and set-up
information. In wise there are 120 (87+33) tables.

 Structure of MSI?
o Products (Collection of Features)
o Features (Collection of Components)
o Components (Collection of files and Registries)

 What is Product?
Product is an Application.

 What is Feature?
Features are buckets for Components. Windows Installer configuration commands operate only on
Features (installing, advertising, Uninstalling). Self-healing, install-on-demand and user profile fix-
up operate at the Feature level.

 What is Component?
Components are collections of resources that are always installed or removed as a unit from a
user's system. A resource can be a file, registry key, shortcut, or anything else that may be
installed. Every component is assigned a unique component code GUID.

 What is Registry, Tell the Structure & types of Registry?

The Registry is a single place for storing information about the Windows OS (Hardware &
Software).

Structure
 Root Keys / Subtrees
 Subkeys
 Hives
 Entries
Types
 Machine-Specific (HKCR, HKLM, HKCC, HKU)
 User-Specific (HKCU, HKU)
Root Keys
 HKEY_CLASS_ROOT (HKCR)
 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM)
 HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC)
 HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU)
 HKEY_USERS (HKU)

 What are Shortcuts & Types?

Shortcuts are the entry points to the applications installed on the system which is normally points to
a file.

o Advertised (File should be Installed by the Application)

o Non Advertised (File that is not part of Installation. It is also called Command Line
shortcuts)

 What are INI File & its format?

INI files are plain-text files that contain configuration information. "INI" stands for initialization.
[Section]

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 Keyname=value

 What are Services & its types?

A windows service is a background process which is loaded by the Service Control Manager of the
OS.

o Win32 Service (Win32 services are the services which is running by the executable file
installed by the Application).
o System or Kernel Services (Kernel services are the services which are used by the OS
to communicate to the hardware devices).

 Where is Service information stored?

Most of the Service information is stored in the windows registry
“HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Name of the Service”

 In the MSI, which tables contain information about the service details?
o ServiceInstall (Service Details)
o ServiceControl (Controlling the service during Installation & UnInstallation)

 What is ODBC & DSN and its types?

ODBC means Open Database Connectivity. The purpose of ODBC is to allow the user to access
data from any application.
The layer between the application and the DBMS called DSN.
o System DSN (DSN will be available for all users)
o User DSN (DSN will be available for that particular user)

 What is File Association?

The Windows operating system recognizes file types and associates them with programs based on
their file extension.

A file that carries no extension or no associated program is called Orphaned.

 What is Environment Variable & its types?

Environment Variables are the variables that are set by the Operating System & Application.
o System Variable (Available for all users)
o User Variable (Available for that particular user)

 What is Property & types of Properties, give some Examples?

Properties are global variables that the Microsoft Windows Installer uses during an installation.

o Private
The installer can be use only internally (values can’t be changed during the run time).
 Manufacture, ProductCode, ProductID, ProductName, ProductVersion
……

o Public
The installer can be uses both internally & externally (values can be changed during the
run time also).
 INSTALLLEVEL, ….

o Restricted Public
The user can’t change the value both internally & externally due to security purposes.
 ALLUSERS, REBOOT, REINSTALLMODE …

 What is the Use of the following Properties?

 ALLUSERS (Null, 1, 2)
User - Per-user, Not valid, Per-user
Admin - Per-user, Per-machine, Per-machine

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  REBOOT (Force, Suppress, ReallySuppress)
Always prompt for a reboot at the end of the installation.
Suppress prompts for a reboot at the end of the installation. But the user can still
prompt by using ForceReboot action.
Suppress all prompts for reboots during the installation.

 REINSTALLMODE (to specify the type of reinstallation of the Application)

p - If file is missing
o - If file is missing or if an older version is installed.
e - If file is missing or an equal or older version is installed.
d - If file is missing or a different version is installed.
c - If file is missing or the stored checksum doesn't match the calculated value.
a - Force all files to be reinstalled.
u - Rewrite all required user specific registry entries.
m - Rewrite all required computer-specific registry entries.
s - Overwrite all existing shortcuts.
v - Run from source and re-cache the local package. Do not uses the v reinstall
option for the first installation of an application or feature.

 REINSTALL (List of features to be Installed)

 RebootRequired (Prompts for Reboot)

Yes - Prompt for Reboot
No - Won’t Prompt for Reboot

 ADDLOCAL (Features to be Installed locally during Run Time)

 ADDSOURCE (Features to be run from source)

 INSTALLLEVEL (Which features to be Installed)

 What is Merge Module?

Merge modules are a mechanism in Windows Installer that allows companies to prepackage and
share standard component definitions. Merge modules are used to deliver shared code, files,
resources, registry entries and setup logic to applications as a single compound file.

 What are all Merge Module tables?

ModuleSignature, ModuleComponents, ModuleDependency, ModuleExclusion,
ModuleAdminUISequence, ModuleAdminExecuteSequence, ModuleAdvtUISequence,
ModuleAdvtExecuteSequence, ModuleIgnore, ModuleInstallUISequence,
ModuleInstallExecuteSequence, ModuleSubstitution, ModuleConfiguration

 How the Merge Module is working (Background mechanism)?

Merge Module is working by checking the version, size & date of the file. If the file is Dll or OCX, it
will check the version, other files like text it will check the Size & Date. It works by the Mechanism
of Shared Dlls Count concept which is stored in the Registry information
“HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDlls\”

 What are the types of Installation modes?

All Windows Installer package should be Installed by the following command line
Msiexec /Option <Required Parameter> [Optional Parameter]
o Install Options
 /I - Installs a product
 /j - Advertise a product
u - Advertises to the current user
m - Advertises to all users of machine
g - Language identifier

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 t - Applies transform to advertised package
 /a - Administrative Installation
 /x - UnInstalls a product

o Display Options (during Installation & UnInstallation)

 /quiet - no user interaction
 /passive- unattended mode
 /q - sets user interface level
n - No UI
n+ - No UI except for a modal dialog at the end
r - Reduced UI with no modal dialog at the end
b - Basic UI
b! - Basic UI with hide cancel button
b+ - Basic UI with a modal dialog at the end
b+! – Basic UI with a modal dialog at the end & hide
cancel button
b- - Basic UI with no modal dialog at the end
b-! - Basic UI with no modal dialog at the end & hide
cancel button
f - Full UI
 /help - help information

o Restart Options
 /norestart - Do not restart after the
Installation
 /promptrestart - Prompts the user for restart
if necessary
 /forcerestart - Always restart the computer
after Installation
o Logging Options (Writes logging information into a logfile at
the specified existing path. Default is 'iwearmo')
 /l - I - Status messages
w - Nonfatal warnings
e - All error messages
a - Start up of actions
r - Action-specific records
u - User requests
c - Initial UI parameters
m - Out-of-memory or fatal exit information
o - Out-of-disk-space messages
p - Terminal properties
v - Verbose output
x - Extra debugging information
+ - Append to existing log file
! - Flush each line to the log
* - Log all information, except for v and x
options
 / log <LogFile> Equivalent of /l* <LogFile>

o Update Options
 /update
 /uninstall
 /p - Applies a Patch

o Repair Options (Repairs a product)

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  /f p - only if file is missing
o - If file is missing or an older
version is installed (default)

e - If file is missing or an equal or

older version is installed
d - If file is missing or a different
version is installed
c - If file is missing or checksum
does not match the calculated
value
a - forces all files to be reinstalled
u - All required user-specific
registry entries (default)
m - All required computer-specific
registry entries (default)
s - All existing shortcuts (default)
v - Runs from source and reaches
local package
o Others
 /m <file name> Generates an SMS status .mif file
 /? Or /h Displays the copy rights for
Windows Installer
 /y <module> Calls the system function
DllRegisterServer to self-register
modules passed in on the
command line
 /z <module> Calls the system function
DllUnRegisterServer to Unregister modules passed in
on the command line
 /c Advertises a new instance of the
product
 /n <ProductCode> Specifies the particular instance of the
product

 What is the difference between /qb, /qb-, /qb! ?

See the above answer.

 How to give Permission for files, folders & Registry keys in MSI?
In the MSI, we can give permissions through Lock Permission table.

 How to give Permission for files, folders & Registry keys through VB Script & what is the
syntax?
We can give permission for files & folders through VB Script by using the CACLS & XCACLS
commands. CACLs should only run on NTFS partitions.
CACLS – Changes Access Control ListS

“Cacls <file name> [/T] [/E] [/C] [/G user: perm] [/R user [...]] [/P user: perm [...]] [/D user [...]] “

o /T Changes ACLs of specified files in the current

directory and subdirectories
o /E Edit ACL instead of replacing it
o /C Continue (ignore) access denied errors
o /G user : perm where access rights granted can be: R
C F (read, change, full control)
o /R user Revoke specified user's access rights (only
valid with /E)

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 o /P user: perm Replace specified user's access rights.
Permission can be: N R C F (none, read, change, full control)
o /D user Deny specified user access

E.g. “cacls c:\myfile.txt /E /G <user name>: F”

In VB Script the syntax as

On Error Resume next
Set Wshell = CreateObject (“Wscript.Shell”)
Wshell.Run “cacls c:\myfile.txt /E /G <user name>: F”

 What is VB Script?
VB Script is a Microsoft Scripting language that means it is a lightweight programming language. It
is a light version of Microsoft's programming language Visual Basic. It is used to add interaction for
the web page projects.

 How to install only one particular feature during the Installation through Command line?
msiexec /i <msi> ADDLOCAL=<Feature Name>

 How to disable ARP Details during the Installation through Command line, tell some ARP
properties?
msiexec /i <msi> ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT=1

o ARPAUTHORIZEDCDFPREFIX
o ARPCOMMENTS
o ARPCONTACT
o ARPINSTALLLOCATION
o ARPNOMODIFY
o ARPNOREMOVE
o ARPNOREPAIR
o ARPPRODUCTICON
o ARPREADME
o ARPSIZE
o ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT
o ARPURLINFOABOUT
o ARPURLUPDATEINFO

 What is Dll Cache folder?

During the process of SFC (System File Checker) or WFP (Windows File Protection), it will scan all
the protected files (.SYS, .DLL, .EXE, .TTF, .FON, and .OCX extensions) to verify their versions. If
the versions are not correct, it will replace the particular files from the back up folder called DLL
Cache folder.

 What is Windows File Protection (WFP)?

WFP is also one Utility tool which will do automatically.
Some applications will replace the system files (SYS, .DLL, .EXE, .TTF, .FON, and .OCX) with
different files of the same name or with same file with different versions. If the files are in a
protected folder, then Windows File Protection automatically determines which file was affected,
and looks up the file signature in a catalogue file to see if the file is the correct Microsoft version,
and if it is digitally signed. If it is not, then the correct file will be copied over it from either the
winnt\system32\dllcache folder, or from the Windows CD.

 How Do I Control Windows File Protection (WFP)?

All registry settings for WFP/System File Checker are located in “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\ Winlogon”.

By default, only Administrators and System will be able to modify these settings.

SFCDisable (REG_DWORD)
0 = enabled (default).

8
 1 = disabled, prompt at boot to re-enable (debugger required).
2 = disabled at next boot only, no prompt to re-enable (debugger required).

SFCScan (REG_DWORD)
0 = do not scan protected files at boot (default).
1 = scan protected files at every boot.
2 = scan protected files once.

SFCQuota (REG_DWORD)
n = size (in megabytes) of dllcache quota.
FFFFFFFF = cache-protected system files on the local hard drive.

SFCShowProgress (REG_DWORD)
0 = System File Checker progress meter is not displayed.
1 = System File Checker progress meter is displayed (default).

SFCDllCacheDir (REG_EXPAND_SZ)
Path = local location of dllcache directory (default is %Systemroot%\system32\dllcache).

 What is Advertisement?
It means that, the Availability of an application to users or others with out actually the full
Installation. There are two types of Advertising

o Assigning
An Application appears (shortcuts, files & registries) to a user or others, when an
Application is “assigned”. When the user tries to open, it is installed upon demand.

o Publishing
No Entry points appear to a user or others, when an Application “published” to the group.
It is activated only if the group Application activates the published Application i.e.
Installation on Demand.

 What is Advertised Feature & Component?

If a Feature or Component is advertised, only the interfaces required for loading and launching the
application are installed to the user or others. If a user activates an advertised interface the installer
then proceeds to install the necessary Components & Features.

 What is Installation on Demand?

When a user or application activates an advertised feature or product, the installer proceeds with
installation of the needed components.

 What is Transform?
A transform is a windows installer file with the extension (.MST). It should be used along with a MSI
to customize or change the installation package without modifying the MSI. The installer can only
apply transforms during an installation.

 What are the types of Transform?

o Embedded transform
Embedded transforms are stored inside the .msi file of the package.

o Secured transform
Secured transforms are stored locally on the user's computer in a location where, on a
secure file system, the user does not have write access. Such transforms are cached in
this location during the installation or advertisement of the package. During subsequent
installation-on-demand or maintenance installations of the package, the installer uses the
cached transforms.

o Unsecured transform

9
 Transforms that have not been secured are called unsecured transforms. To apply an
unsecured transform, pass the transform file names in the TRANSFORMS property or
command line string during the installation.

 How to Create Transform in Wise / Install Shield?

In Wise Package Studio, by using Install Tailor or New Project - other templates - Transform
In Install Shield Admin Studio, by using the New Project - Transform

 How many Transform can be created for one Vendor MSI?

Any Number

 How many Transforms can be supplied in the Command line?

Any Number

 What is Custom Action?

The Microsoft Windows Installer provides many built-in actions for performing the installation
process. For some cases the developer writes an action to execute his own installation is called
custom action

 What are the types of Sequences in the Custom Actions?

o Normal User Interface
o Normal Execute Immediate / Deferred
o Administrative User Interface
o Administrative Execute Immediate / Deferred
o Advertisement Execute Immediate / Deferred

 What are the types of Conditions in the Custom Actions and what is the use?
o Not Installed - During Installation only
o REMOVE - During UnInstallation only
o NOT REMOVE - During both Install & UnInstall

 What are the types of In Script options in the Custom Actions?

o Immediate Execution
Immediate custom actions, can be sequenced anywhere within any of the sequence
tables. It has access to the installation database (read & set installation properties, modify
feature & component states, add temporary columns, rows, and tables).

o Deferred Execution – User Context

Deferred custom actions can only be sequenced between the InstallInitialize and
InstallFinalize actions in execute sequence tables. It doesn’t have access to the
installation database. Deferred custom actions are not executed immediately. Instead they
are scheduled to run
later during the execution script. The execution script isn't processed until the
InstallExecute, InstallExecuteAgain, or InstallFinalize action is run.

If the Current User doesn’t have the elevated privileges (Custom actions make changes in
the system directly), the custom actions should run in Deferred Execution in User Context
only.

o Rollback only
This Action should be executed during the Installation of the Rollback script or if the
Installation is Unsuccessful

o Commit only
This Action should be executed during the Installation of the Commit script.

o Deferred Execution – System Context

Deferred custom actions can only be sequenced between the InstallInitialize and
InstallFinalize actions in execute sequence tables. It doesn’t have access to the

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 installation database. Deferred custom actions are not executed immediately. Instead they
are scheduled to run
later during the execution script. The execution script isn't processed until the
InstallExecute, InstallExecuteAgain, or InstallFinalize action is run.

If the Current User have the elevated privileges (Custom actions make changes in the
system directly), then it should run in Deferred Execution in System Context only.

 What is the difference between “Immediate Execute / Deferred Execute” in the Custom
Actions?
o Immediate custom actions, can be sequenced anywhere within any of the sequence
tables
Deferred custom actions can only be sequenced between the InstallInitialize and
InstallFinalize actions in execute sequence tables
o Immediate custom actions have access to the Installation database
Deferred custom actions doesn’t have access to the Installation database
o Immediate custom actions can only run in the User Context
Deferred custom actions can run both in the context of the user and elevated using the
system context.

 What is the difference between “Deferred in System Context / Deferred in User Context” in
the Custom Actions?
If the Custom action which installs or modify a file under the INSTALLDIR or Installation should be
run in “Deferred in User Context”
If the Custom action which installs or modify the system file directly should be run in “Deferred
Execution in System Context”

 What are the types of Processing Options in the Custom Actions and what is the use?
o Synchronous
Windows Installer runs the custom action synchronously to the main installation. It waits
for the custom action to complete successfully before continuing the main installation.

o Synchronous, ignore exit code

Windows Installer runs the custom action synchronously to the main installation. It waits
for the custom action to complete before continuing the main installation; the action can be
either success or fail.

o Asynch, wait at end of sequence

Windows Installer runs the custom action simultaneously with the main installation. At the
end it waits for the exit code from the custom action before continuing.

o Asynch, no wait
Windows Installer runs the custom action simultaneously with the main installation. It
doesn’t wait for completion of the custom action and doesn’t check the exit code also.

 What are the types of Scheduling Options in the Custom Actions and what is the use?
o Always Execute
This action execute in all sequences

o Run first time

This action execute only the first time Windows Installer encounters it.
o Run once per process
This action execute only one time either Execute sequence that should not run if the
installation is running in silent mode.

o Run only if UI sequence was run

This action execute only if either Execute sequence is run following User Interface
sequence.

 What is Launch Condition?

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 Launch Condition is used to check system requirements on the destination computer

 What is App Search?

App Search action is used to search for existing versions of products (Files, Registry, INI, Directory
& Component)

 What is Isolated Component, why we are using and its types?

It means that to prevent overwriting of previous versions of shared components, and ensures that
other applications do not overwrite your version of shared components.
o Manifest file concept
o Local file concept

 What is the MSI Assembly tables & its use?

MSI Assembly tables specify Windows Installer settings for Microsoft ®.NET Framework
assemblies and Win32 assemblies. It is used for the registration of .Net Assembly files.

When installing assemblies to the global assembly cache, the installer cannot use the same
directory structure. Assemblies can exist only once in the assembly cache. Assemblies are added
and removed from the assembly cache atomically

 What is the latest version of Windows Installer?

The latest version of Windows Installer is 3.1

 What is the latest version of Wise Package studio & Install Shield Admin Studio?
Wise Package Studio - 6.0
Install Shield - 10.5
Install Shield Admin Studio - 6.0

 What is Conflict Management?

When two or more applications install the same system files (DLLs, .VBXs, and .OCXs), Windows
registry, and other items. To detect, Conflict Management should be use and for resolve the
software conflicts, Application Isolation concept should be use

 What are the types of Deployment (Software Distribution)?

o Group policy (Active Directory)
o Software Update Services (SUS)
o Windows Update Web site
o Systems Management service (SMS)

 What is Software Distribution?

One of the more critical aspects to managing a Windows environment is the ability to deploy new
applications, updates, upgrades & patches. Distributing new or updated software is called as
Software Distribution.

 What is Group Policy (GPO) & how to set it?

Administrators use Group Policy to define options for managing, configuration of servers, desktops,
and groups of users. It is used to set policies across a given site, domain, or range of
organizational units.
Use “gpedit.msc” in the run command to set the policy.

 What is Elevated User & how to create it?

If the user having the privileges of MSI features (Windows Installer) is called as Elevated User

You can create through “gpedit.msc” in the run Command or registry keys
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer
Type : DWORD Key: AlwaysInstallElevated Value : 1

 What is Wrapper MSI?

It means that the Application (MSI) is packaged by calling the Exe (Executable file) inside the MSI
(Internally calling the source or exe).

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 What is Lock down environment?
Software restriction policies provide administrators with a
Policy-driven mechanism to identify software running on computers in a domain, and control its
ability to execute.
This policy can be used to block malicious scripts, help lockdown a computer, or prevent unwanted
applications from running.

 How do deploy the Package?

o Group policy (Active Directory)
o Software Update Services (SUS)
o Windows Update Web site
o Systems Management service (SMS)

 What is IntelliMirror?
IntelliMirror management technologies is a set of powerful
features for change and configuration management. It ensures that users’ data, software, and
personal settings are available when they move from one computer to another, and persist when
their computers are connected to the network.
Microsoft divides IntelliMirror's features into the following four categories:

o User Data Management :. IntelliMirror supports the mirroring of user data to the network
and local copies of selected network data.

o Software Installation and Maintenance : IntelliMirror allows you to centrally manage

software installation, repairs, updates, and removal.

o User Settings Management : IntelliMirror allows you to centrally define computing

environment settings for both users and workstations.

o Remote Installation Services : IntelliMirror allows you to image workstations with the
Windows 2000 Professional operating system

 What is Active Directory?

Deploying applications through the Active Directory is done through the use of group policies, and
therefore applications are deployed either on a per user basis or on a per computer basis.

 What are the other tools which are used during the testing & solving the Issues in the
Application?
o Picture Taker
o Windows Install Master
o Install rite
o RegMon
o FileMon
o CsDiff
o Icon Extractor & Icon Builder
o RegExtractor
o WiLogUtl
o WiseComReg
o ResourceW2K

 What is Orca tool & what is the purpose and Advantages?

This tool is a Microsoft product. It is used for edit the MSI Databases (tables).
o No limitation for the table entries
o Easy to edit the Databases
o If you edit any tables and give save, only those tables will be modified, but in Wise or
Install Shield all the tables will change

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 Why multiple MSIExec is running during the Installation?
Windows Installer uses a client-server model for performing installations. Additionally for security
reasons, Windows Installer hosts DLL and script custom actions in a "sandbox" process.
Depending on how the install was initiated, one of the MSIExec processes can be the client
process (Current User). Another MSIExec process is Windows Installer service (System).

 Which drive your Application will Install, C drive has less space and D drive has more
space? Why & how to solve?
It will install “D” drive only due to Windows Installer features.
We can solve by adding “WindowsVolume” entry in the directory table as parent of “TARGETDIR”

 What is a Patch?
Patching is a streamlined process for updating earlier versions of a Windows Installer setup
package i.e. when you update only files that already exist in your installation package. Only the
package code is changed.

 What is Upgrade?
Upgrade is a process of updating the earlier versions of a Windows Installer setup package i.e.
Adding, changing & deleting new Files & Registries. But here product code, product version &
package code should be changed.

 What are the types of Upgrades and what is the difference?

o Small Update
A small update is a product update that changes a few files or possibly adds some new
content. But there is a limitation for the changes that can be made to the feature-
component structure for the package. Only the package code is changed. It is also called
as a "Hotfix" or “Quick Fix Engineering (QFE)”.

o Minor Upgrade
A minor update is a product update that makes enough changes. But there is a limitation
for the changes that can be made to the feature-component structure for the package. The
package code & product version is changed for the product. It is also called as a “Service
Pack”.

o Major Upgrade
A major update is a product update with a large number of changes. There is no limitation
for the changes that can be made to the feature-component structure for the package. The
package code, product code & product version is changed for the product. It is also called
as a "Product Upgrade”.

 How you validate the MSI?

In Wise Package Studio, by using “Package Validation” option by selecting the MSI with the default
Cub file or Browse your own Cub file.
In Install Shield, by Build - Validate- Default Cub file or Browse your own Cub file.

 What is ICE?
It means “Internal Consistency Evaluation”. ICEs are used to validate installation packages.

 Give some ICE Error number and tell how to solve the ICE Errors?
There are totally 96 ICE Errors and 14 ICEM Errors in the Windows Installer. Some examples
are as follows

o ICE03 - Basic data and foreign key validation

o ICE18 - Validates the KeyPath column of the Component
table when it is NULL.
o ICE21 - Validates that all components in the Component
table map to a feature in the FeatureComponents
table.

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 o ICE33 - Checks for entries in the registry table that belong
in other tables.
o ICE38 - Validates that components installed under the
user's profile use a registry key under HKCU as
their key path.
o ICE64 - Checks that new directories in the user profile are
removed in roaming scenarios.
o ICE57 - Validates that individual components do not mix
per-machine and per-user data.
o ICE59 - Checks that advertised shortcuts belong to
components that are installed by the target
feature of the shortcut.

 What are the File types of Application Packaging?

o WSI - Microsoft Windows Installer Project file
o ISM - Install Shield Project file
o MSI - Microsoft Windows Installer
o MST - Microsoft Transform
o PCP - Windows Installer Patch Project file
o MSP - Microsoft Windows Installer Patch
o WSM - Microsoft Windows Installer Merge Module
Project file
o MSM - Microsoft Windows Installer Merge Module
o EXE - Executable file

 How to install the .Exe file through silent mode?

Normally all the .Exe file can be Installed silently by “/ s”. But it depends up on the .EXE file
behavior.

 How to register the DLL manually?

By using the command line option “regsvr32”. For example
a. regsvr32 Dll name For Register the Dll
b. regsvr32 /u For Unregistered the Dll
c. regsvr32 /s For Silent register

 What is COM Component?

The Component which is having the COM information entries is called as COM Component. If the
component is COM Component, it should have entries in the Class, ProgID, Registry & Typelib
tables in the MSI.
For example most of the merge module components are called as COM Component
(MSCOMCTL.ocx, COMCTL.ocx …)

 What are the default Windows Installer properties?

o [AdminToolsFolder]
C:\Document and Settings\Current User\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\
o [AppDataFolder]
C:\Document and Settings\Current User\Application Data\
o [CommonAppDataFolder]
C:\Document and Settings\All Users\Application Data\
o [CommonFilesFolder]
C:\Program Files\Common Files\
o [DesktopFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Desktop\
o [FavoritesFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Favorites\\

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 o [FontsFolder]
C:\Windows\Fonts\
o [LocalAppDataFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Local Settings\Application Data\
o [MyPicturesFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\My Documents\My Pictures\
o [NetHoodFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\NetHood\
o [PersonalFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\My Documents\
o [PrintHoodFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\PrintHood\
o [ProfilesFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\
o [ProgramFilesFolder]
C:\Program Files\
o [ProgramMenuFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Start Menu\Programs\
o [RecentFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Recent\
o [SendToFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\SendTo\
o [StartMenuFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Start Menu\
o [StartupFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
o [System16Folder]
C:\Windows\System\
o [SystemFolder]
C:\Windows\System32\
o [TempFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Local Settings\Temp\
o [TemplateFolder]
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Templates\
o [WindowsFolder]
C:\Windows\
o [WindowsVolume]
C:\

 What are the default Environment settings in XP?

o ALLUSERSPROFILE
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users
o APPDATA
C:\Documents and Settings\current User\Application Data
o CommonProgramFiles
C:\Program Files\Common Files
o COMPUTERNAME
System Name
o ComSpec
C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe
o HOMEDRIVE
C:
o HOMEPATH
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User
o ProgramFiles
C:\Program Files
o SystemDrive
C:
o SystemRoot

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 C:\Windows
o TEMP
C:\Documents and Settings\Local Settings\Temp
o TMP
C:\Documents and Settings\Local Settings\Temp
o USERNAME
Current User
o USERPROFILE
C:\Documents and Settings\Current User
o Windir
C:\Windows

 What is Package Code?

The Package Code is a GUID identifying a particular Microsoft Windows Installer package. It
associates an .MSI file.

 What is Product Code?

The Product Code is a GUID identifying a particular Application or product.

 What is the Event Viewer, how to open & what is it use?

It is a Windows utility tool in the OS. You can open by giving “eventvwr” in the run command also.
It is used to view all exceptional events occur in the OS and also for the System administrator to
track the performance of the OS.

About Manifests

FLEXnet AdminStudio 7.5 » Repackager

Manifests, which are used during isolation, are XML files that describe an application.
Repackager can create two types of manifests: application manifests and assembly manifest.

Application Manifests Describe an Isolated Application

Application manifests are XML files that describe an isolated application. This descriptive
information includes the relationship between the application and its dependent files.

Typically, the naming convention for a manifest is:

ApplicationName.Extension.manifest

For example, if the application was HelloWorld.exe, the manifest file is called:
HelloWorld.exe.manifest

Assembly Manifests Describe an Application's Assemblies

Assembly manifests are XML files that describe an application's assemblies. This includes
components such as DLLs.
Information stored in the assembly manifest, such as COM registration information, ProgIDs,
etc., is usually stored in the Registry. However, by making it independent from the Registry,
only that application can use the dependent files described in the manifest. This enables you
to have multiple versions of the same DLL or other portable executable file on a system
without generating compatibility conflicts.

Typically, the naming convention for a manifest is:

AssemblyName.Extension.manifest

For example, if the component was Goodbye.dll, the manifest file is called:
Goodbye.dll.manifest

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Manifests as New Components

When you create manifests, Repackager supports putting them into new components. If you
do not select the Create new component for each assembly option on the Manifest Options tab
of the Isolation Options dialog box, the manifest will be added to the same component as the
assembly.

Registry-Free COM Registration

InstallShield 11.5
With Reg-Free COM, COM data is written to an application manifest file that is stored in the
application folder. The manifest file is an XML file that contains information about an
application and the libraries that are associated with it. Note that the Reg-Free COM manifest
file, the executable file, and the COM libraries should all be installed to the same folder on the
target machine.

Benefits of Reg-Free COM

Reg-Free COM has several advanages over traditional COM. For example, with Reg-Free COM,
the component is defined within the scope of the application itself. Even if other applications
that use the same COM component or a different version of it require that it be registered, it
will not interfere with this application.
Problems may occur with traditional COM registration if multiple versions of shared libraries
exist on a target system. For example, an installation may overwrite a new version of a shared
library with an older version, or a new version might not be backwardly compatible with older
versions. This may cause applications that require features of a specific version to crash. These
types of situations are commonly known as DLL Hell. With Reg-Free COM, you can avoid these
problems because other applications cannot access your application's COM component.
In addition, Reg-Free COM streamlines the upgrade and uninstallation processes. For an
upgrade, simply replace the application folder. For an uninstallation, simply remove that folder.

Limitations of Reg-Free COM

Reg-Free COM is not appropriate for some solutions. Several limitations exist:

• Reg-Free COM works on only Windows XP or later.

• A component is not suitable for Reg-Free COM if it is a system component or part of
the operating system. In addition, it is not suitable if it is a data access component
such as Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC). These types of components
should not be isolated. Some of these components, such as MDAC, can be included in
an installation as a redistributable.
• A COM component can be isolated only once per application. Consider grouping COM
components in a single class library as a workaround to this limitation.

Concept: Conflict Solving is a process (one of the best practices) which finds out conflict
between more than two applications for various resource such as Files, Registries, Services, INI
Files, Environment Path Variable, ODBC, Extensions, COM information (internal information of
DLL, OCX or EXE file) etc. These resources are critical for any application to run successfully.

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Conflict Solving ensures the shared common resources do not get uninstalled from the
machine when it is being used by more than one applications.

For example, if we install package A on machine and then package B on the same machine. If
a file called common.dll is being using by both the application, un-installation of any of these
applications will remove the file from the machine hence breaking all other applications.
Conflict solving synchronises commonly used resource across the package and ensures un-
installation of any application does not break any other application. It also ensures version
conflict of same file to run more than one applications on the same machine at the same time.

Conflict Solving Method: Following are the activities required for conflict solving.
1. Setup and Configure a database (SQL Server). This database has various folders which
stores package in progress, in peer test, exception and certified.
2. Import MSI (Package) into database. Database has same table structure as any MSI to store
information of a package. This database keeps increasing with packages which are certified
and delivered.
3. Conflict Solving Software (part of Admin Studio) given by Install Shield (Microvision) is used
to conflict solve a application against whole database.
4. Generate a conflict report for packager.
5. Packager needs to analyse and fix conflict. Once conflict solving is done it goes in same
iteration until all conflict solved. This conflict solving is done on package project (InstallShield
Project).

Advantages of Conflict Solving

1. Synchronization of commonly used resources of MSI across the application/package ensures

no application breaks if any other application is uninstalled.
2. Application does not self heal unnecessarily for common resources as these resources are
not delete/uninstalled during uninstallation of application.
3. Increases quality of packages
4. Protect re-installation of application due to un-installation of any other application.
5. Enable us to install different versions of same file to run different applications at the same
time.

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