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visual-studio-2008windows-installerauto-update

How to use msiexec to update a program

I have a .msi to install a program. Upon 'update', I want to be able to check whether there is an update available on a server, and if there is, install it.

  • Can msiexec do that? I've looked around, and all I can find is that the /update just applies .msp patches.
  • Is the .msp patch a patch for the installer itself, or for the installed application?
  • Can the latest .msp patch different versions of an installer/installation to the latest one?

If this isn't possible through msiexec or this method is problematic, what are the alternatives?

Solution

  • msiexec doesn't do anything like what you've described.

    The msp file is a patch for the installed application, not the Installer service.

    You can create a patch that is applicable to multiple products. You define this behavior in the patch's summary information stream.