Summary

Synopsis

This article discusses how shared files are handled in MSI installations.

Discussion

Shared files will be installed somewhat differently in MSI-based InstallShield projects than in Installscript setups. These projects are based on Microsoft?s Windows Installer Service and inherits the Installer?s features, while installing shared files. Following is a list of issues to keep in mind while installing a shared file in MSI setups:

1. To install a file as shared, the component containing the shared file should be marked as shared.

2. Only the key file in this component is installed as shared. Thus, you have to make sure that the shared file is marked as the key file.

3. If you have more than one file that needs to be installed as shared, you have to include these in separate components.

4. If the component contains any files or folders that are dynamically linked, then marking the component as shared will not install the files as shared. To install a file as shared, the file has to be statically inserted in the project.

5. There is no guarantee that the files will be installed in the order that you specify them, as the file transfer is taken care of by the Windows Installer Service, which does not guarantee this by design.

Additional Information

For more information on shared files, see the InstallShield Help Library topic Managing Reference Counts for Shared Files.