Windows Installer Repair a Package Using the Command Line
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Repair a package using the command line Updated: January 21, 2005
To repair a package using the command line 1.
Open Command Prompt.
2.
Type: msiexec/f [p][ ][o o][ ][e e][ ][d d][ ][c c][ ][a a][ ][u u][ ][m m][ ][s s][ ][v v] { package package | | ProductCode ProductCode} }
Value
Description
/fp /fp
Reinstalls only if the file is missing.
/fo /fo
Reinstalls if the file is missing or if an older version is installed.
/fe /fe
Reinstalls if the file is missing or an equal or older version is installed.
/fd /fd
Reinstalls if the file is missing or a different version is installed.
/fc /fc
Reinstalls if the file is missing or the stored checksum does not match the calculated value.
/fa /fa
Forces all of the files to be reinstalled.
/fu /fu
Rewrites all of the required user-specific registry entries.
/fm /fm
Rewrites all of the required computer-specif computer-specific ic registry entries.
/fs /fs
Overwrites all of the existing shortcuts.
/fv /fv
Runs from source and recaches the local package.
package package
Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package file.
ProductCode S ProductCode Specifies pecifies the globally unique identifier (GUID) of the Windows Installer package. Notes Notes Start,, point to All programs, programs, point to Accessories Accessories,, and then click • To open a command prompt, click Start Command prompt. prompt.
/fpecms.. • The default parameter for this command-line option is /fpecms msiexec • Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. For more information about msiexec command-line options, see Related Topics.
Use Windows Installer packages with the Add or Remove Programs utility Updated: January 21, 2005
To use Windows Installer packages with Add or Remove Programs 1.
Open Add Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel.
2.
Click Change or Remove Programs, Programs, click the program that you want to change or remove, and then do one of the following: Change.. • To change a program, click Change Remove.. • To remove a program, click Remove
Note Note
Start,, click Control Panel, Panel, and then double-click Add or Remove • To open Add or Remove programs, click Start programs.. programs
Install a transform using the command line Updated: January 21, 2005
To install a transform using the command line 1.
Open Command Prompt.
2.
Type: msiexec /i packageTRANSFORMS= packageTRANSFORMS=TransformList TransformList
Value
Description
/i /i
Installs a product.
package package
Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package file.
TRANSFORMS=TransformList TRANSFORMS= TransformList S Specifies pecifies what transform (.mst) files should be applied to the package. TransformList is is a list of paths separated by semicolons. Notes Notes Start,, point to All programs, programs, point to Accessories Accessories,, and then click • To open a command prompt, click Start Command prompt. prompt.
msiexec • Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. For more information about msiexec command-line options, see Related Topics.
Repair a package using the command line Updated: January 21, 2005
To repair a package using the command line 1.
Open Command Prompt.
2.
Type: msiexec/f [p][ ][o o][ ][e e][ ][d d][ ][c c][ ][a a][ ][u u][ ][m m][ ][s s][ ][v v] { package package | | ProductCode ProductCode} }
Value
Description
/fp /fp
Reinstalls only if the file is missing.
/fo /fo
Reinstalls if the file is missing or if an older version is installed.
/fe /fe
Reinstalls if the file is missing or an equal or older version is installed.
/fd /fd
Reinstalls if the file is missing or a different version is installed.
/fc /fc
Reinstalls if the file is missing or the stored checksum does not match the calculated value.
/fa /fa
Forces all of the files to be reinstalled.
/fu /fu /fm /fm
Rewrites all of the required user-specific registry entries. Rewrites all of the required computer-specif computer-specific ic registry entries.
/fs /fs
Overwrites all of the existing shortcuts.
/fv /fv
Runs from source and recaches the local package.
package package
Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package file.
ProductCode S ProductCode Specifies pecifies the globally unique identifier (GUID) of the Windows Installer package. Notes Notes Start,, point to All programs, programs, point to Accessories Accessories,, and then click • To open a command prompt, click Start Command prompt. prompt.
/fpecms.. • The default parameter for this command-line option is /fpecms msiexec • Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. For more information about msiexec command-line options, see Related Topics.
Create an administrative installation package from the command line Updated: January 21, 2005
To create an administrative installation package from fr om the command line 1.
Open Command Prompt.
2.
Type: msiexec /a package package
Value Description /a /a
Applies the administrative installation option.
package S package Specifies pecifies the name of the Windows Installer package file. Notes Notes Start,, point to All programs, programs, point to Accessories Accessories,, and then click • To open a command prompt, click Start Command prompt. prompt.
msiexec • Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. For more information about msiexec command-line options, see Related Topics.
Configure Windows Installer Group Policy computer options Updated: January 21, 2005
To configure Windows Installer Group Policy computer options 1.
Open Group Policy.
2.
In the console tree, click the Windows Installer node. Installer node. Where? Where? Configuration/Administrative istrative Templ Templates/Windows ates/Windows C Components/W omponents/Windows indows • applicable policy name /Computer Configuration/Admin Installer
3.
In the details details window window,, double-click one of the following policy set settings: tings: • Disable Windows Installer Installer • Always install with elevated privileges privileges • Prohibit rollback rollback • Remove browse dialog box for new source source • Prohibit patching patching • Disable IE security prompt for Windows Installer scripts scripts • Enable user control over installs installs • Enable user to browse for source while elevated elevated • Enable user to use media source while elevated elevated • Enable user to patch elevated products products • Allow admin to install from Terminal Services session session • Cache transforms in secure location on workstation workstation • Logging Logging • Prohibit User Installs Installs • Turn off creation of System Restore Checkpoints Checkpoints • Prohibit removal of updates updates • Enforce upgrade components rule rule • Prohibit non-administrators from applying vendor signed updates updates • Baseline file cache maximum size
4.
In the Group Policy Property dialog Property dialog box, set the options you want to use, and then click OK. OK.
Notes Notes Start,, click Run Run,, type gpedit.msc gpedit.msc,, and then • To open Group Policy to edit the local Group Policy object, click Start press ENTER.
• For more information about Windows Installer Group Policy options, see Related Topics.
Msiexec (command-line options) Updated: January 21, 2005
Msiexec Provides the means to install, modify, and perform operations on Windows Installer from the command line.
• To install or configure a product
To use the administrative installation option •• To repair a product • To uninstall a product • To advertise a product • To set logging level • To apply an update • To install a transform using the command line • To install and advertise a product using a transform with the command line • To set the user interface level • To display copyright information for the Windows Installer DllRegisterServer rver to self-register modules passed on the command line • To call the system API DllRegisterSe To call the system API DllUnRegiste DllUnRegisterServer rServer to unregister modules passed on the command line
•To install or configure a product Syntax msiexec/i { msiexec/i {Package Package | | ProductCode ProductCode} } Parameters /i /i Installs or configures a product. Package Package Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package file. ProductCode ProductCode Specifies the globally unique identifier (GUID) of the Windows Installer package. Remarks Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. case-sensitive.
• • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics. Examples To install a product from A:\Example.m A:\Example.msi, si, type: msiexec /i A:\Example.msi A:\Example.msi
To use the administrative installation option Syntax msiexec/aPackage msiexec/a Package Parameters /a /a Applies the administrative installation option. Package Package The name of the Windows Installer package file. Remarks Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. case-sensitive.
• • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics. To repair a product Syntax
msiexec/f [p [p][ ][o o][ ][e e][ ][d d][ ][c c][ ][a a][ ][u u][ ][m m][ ][s s][ ][v v]{Package ]{Package | | ProductCode ProductCode} } Parameters /f Enables one or more of the command-line options listed in the following table.
Command Description Description p
Reinstalls only if file is missing.
o
Reinstalls if file is missing or if an older version is installed.
e
Reinstalls if file is missing or an equal or older version is installed.
d
Reinstalls if file is missing or a different version is installed.
c
Reinstalls if file is missing or the stored checksum does not match the calculated value.
a
Forces all files to be reinstalled.
u
Rewrite all required user-specific registry entries.
m
Rewrites all required computer-specif computer-specific ic registry entries.
s
Overwrites all existing shortcuts.
v
Runs from source and re-caches the local package.
Package Package Name of the Windows Installer package file. ProductCode ProductCode Globally unique identifier (GUID) of the Windows Installer package. Remarks This option ignores any property values that you type at the command line.
• /fpecms.. • The default parameter for this command-line option is /fpecms case-sensitive. • Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics. Examples To repair the installation package, type: msiexec /fpecms Example.msi Example.msi
To uninstall a product Syntax msiexec/x { msiexec/x {Package Package | | ProductCode ProductCode} } Parameters /x /x uninstalls a product. Package Package Name of the Windows Installer package file. ProductCode ProductCode Globally unique identifier (GUID) of the Windows Installer package. Remarks Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. case-sensitive.
• • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics. Examples To remove or uninstall a package, type: msiexec /x Example.msi Example.msi
To advertise a product Syntax msiexec/j [{ msiexec/j [{u u | m}] Package Package msiexec { msiexec {u u | m} Package Package /t /t TransformList
msiexec { msiexec {u u | m} Package Package /g /g LanguageID LanguageID Parameters /j /j Advertises a product. u Advertises to the current user. m Advertises to all users of the computer. Package Package Specifies the Windows Installer package file. /g LanguageID LanguageID Identifies the language. l anguage. /t TransformList Applies transform to advertised package. Remarks This option ignores any property values that you type at the command line.
• /jm.. • If you want to install the application with elevated privileges, use /jm case-sensitive. • Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics. Examples To advertise a package to all users of this computer, type: msiexec /jm Example.m Example.msi si
To set logging level Syntax msiexec/L [ msiexec/L [ii][ ][w w][ ][e e][ ][a a][ ][r r][ ][u u][ ][c c][ ][m m][ ][p p][ ][v v][ ][+ +][ ][!!]LogFile LogFile.txt .txt Parameters /L /L Specifies the path to the log file. i Logs status messages. w Logs nonfatal warnings. e Logs all error messages. a Logs startup of actions. r Logs action-specific records. u Logs user requests. c Logs initial user interface parameters. m Logs out-of-memory. p Logs terminal properties. v Logs verbose output. To use v, specify /L*v /L*v..
+ Appends to existing file. ! Flushes each line to the log. * Logs all information except for the v option. This is a wildcard. LogFile .txt .txt Name and path of the text log file. Remarks Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. case-sensitive.
• /L*v at at the command prompt. • To include the v option in a log file using the wildcard flag, type /L*v • The Windows Installer log file options can also be used with the uninstall and repair processes. • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics. Examples To install a package and create a log file that contains the information related to the status, out-of-memory, and error messages, type: msiexec /i Example.msi /Lime logfile.txt logfile.txt
To apply an update Syntax msiexec/pUpdatePackage msiexec/p UpdatePackage Parameters /p /p Applies an update. UpdatePackage UpdatePackage Specific update. Remarks To apply an update to an administrative installation package, use the following syntax:
•
msiexec/pUpdatePackage msiexec/p UpdatePackage/a /aExample.msi Example.msi
case-sensitive. • Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics.
To install a transform using the command line Syntax msiexec /iPackage /iPackageTRANSFORMS TRANSFORMS= =TransformList Parameters /i /i Installs or configures a product. Package Package Specifies the Windows Installer package file. TRANSFORMS= TRANSFORMS = Property that is used to specify what transform (.mst) files should be applied to the package. TransformList List of paths separated by semicolons. Remarks Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. case-sensitive.
• • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics. To install and advertise a product using a transform with the command line Syntax msiexec /iPackage /iPackage/j /j[[u][ ][m m] /t /tTransformList TransformList Parameters /i /i
Installs or configures a product. Package Package Name of the Windows Installer package file. /j /j Advertises a product. This option ignores any property values entered on the command line. u Advertises to the current user. m Advertises to all users of this computer. /t /t Applies transform to advertised package. TransformList List of paths separated by semicolons. Remarks Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. case-sensitive.
• • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics. To set the user interface level Syntax msiexec/q{ msiexec/q {n | b | r | f || n+ n+ | | b+ | b+ | b-} b-} Parameters /qn /qn Displays no user interface. /qb /qb Displays a basic user interface. /qr /qr Displays a reduced user interface with a modal dialog box displayed at the end of the installation. /qf Displays the full user interface with a modal dialog box displayed at the end. /qn+ /qn+ Displays no user interface, except for a modal dialog box displayed at the end. /qb+ /qb+ Displays a basic user interface with a modal dialog box displayed at the end. /qb- /qbDisplays a basic user interface with no modal dialog boxes. Remarks /qb+- is /qb+ is not a supported user interface level. The modal box is not displayed if the user cancels the installation.
• case-sensitive. • Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics.
Examples To display the basic user interface options during the package installation of Example.msi, type: msiexec /qb Example.msi Example.msi
To display copyright information for the Windows Installer Syntax msiexec { msiexec {/? /? | | /h} /h} Parameters { /? /?|| /h} /h} Displays the Windows Installer version and copyright information. Remarks Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. case-sensitive.
•
• For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics. To call the system API DllRegisterServer to self-register modules passed on the command line Syntax msiexec/yModule msiexec/y Module Parameters /y /y Calls the system API DllRegisterSe DllRegisterServer rver to self-register modules passed on the command line. Module Module Specifies the file name of module. Caution Caution
• Incorrectly editing the registry may severely damage your system. Before making changes to the registry, you should back up any valued data on the computer.
Remarks This option is used only for registry information that cannot be added using the registry tables of the .msi file.
• case-sensitive. • Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics. Examples The following example shows how you can use the msiexec /y command: /y command: msiexec /y my_file.dll my_file.dll
To call the system API DllUnRegisterServer to unregister modules passed on the command lline ine Syntax msiexec/zModule msiexec/zModule Parameters /z /z Calls the system API DllUnRegiste DllUnRegisterServer rServer to unregister modules passed on the command lline. ine. Module Module File name of module. Remarks This option is used only for registry information that cannot be added using the registry tables of the .msi file.
• case-sensitive. • Windows Installer command-line options are not case-sensitive. • For more information about the Windows Installer command-line options, see Related Topics. Examples The following example shows how you can use the msiexec /z command: /z command: msiexec /z my_file.dll my_file.dll Top of page
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Ellipsis (...)
Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line
Between brackets ([])
Optional items
Between braces ({}); choices separated separated by pipe (|).
Set of choices from which the user must choose only
Example: {even|odd}
one
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