SDK Installation and Product Properties

Article
06/30/2006

A Microsoft® Windows® Installer (MSI) package contains the information required to install or uninstall an application or product with the Windows Installer. Each MSI package includes an .msi file that contains an installation database, a summary information stream, and data streams for various parts of the installation. The .msi file can also contain one or more transforms, internal source files, and external source files or cabinet files required by the installation.

The Windows Installer automates the installation process and creates an entry for the SDK in AddorRemove Programs under Control Panel on your development workstation. The entry in Control Panel allows the developer to remove an installed SDK in a straightforward manner. The Windows Installer also allows you to include splash screens with your SDKs.

The Windows Installer requires a product globally unique identifier (GUID) for each distinct SDK. The Export SDK Wizard manages the GUIDs for you, generating a unique GUID for each SDK with a new product name that you create. However, if you modify the product version number for an existing SDK, the GUID for that SDK does not change.

A history of product names associated with the platform is displayed in the IDE, allowing you to update an existing MSI package. If you have made changes to your platform and want to replace an existing SDK, select the product name associated with the existing MSI package.

The SDK requires the following installation information.

MSI property	Description
Product name	Name exposed to operating system during install/uninstall
Manufacture name	Name of your company
Locale language	Default language used for user interface (UI) installation elements that are not scripted
Product version	Versioning allows the installer to compare differing installations

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SDK Installation and Product Properties

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