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Generating a Customization Transform

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You may generate a transform file by using MsiDatabaseGenerateTransform or the GenerateTransform method of the Database object. An example of this is provided in the Windows Installer SDK as the utility WiGenXfm.vbs. The following snippet, Gen.vbs, also illustrates the GenerateTransform method and is for use with Windows Script Host.

'Gen.vbs. Argument(0) is the original database. Argument(1) is the
'    customized database. Argument(2) is the transform file.
 
Option Explicit

' Check arguments
If WScript.Arguments.Count < 2 Then
    WScript.Echo "Usage is gen.vbs [original database] [customized database] [transform file]"
    WScript.Quit(1)
End If

' Connect to Windows Installer object
On Error Resume Next
Dim installer : Set installer = Nothing
Set installer = Wscript.CreateObject("WindowsInstaller.Installer") 
' Open databases
Dim database1 : Set database1 = 
    installer.OpenDatabase(Wscript.Arguments(0), 0) 
Dim database2 : Set database2 = 
    installer.OpenDatabase(Wscript.Arguments(1), 0) 
' Generate transform
Dim transform : transform = Database2.GenerateTransform(Database1,
    Wscript.Arguments(2))

To generate the transform file MNPtrans.mst from the original MNP2000.msi database and the MNP2000t.msi database you modified in Customizing an Original Database, change directories to the folder containing Gen.vbs, the original database, and the updated installer database and enter the following command line.

Cscript.exe Gen.vbs MNP2000.msi MNP2000t.msi MNPtrans.mst

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