Convert An .Exe To An .Msi With AdminStudio Repackager

‎Jun 08, 2011

Summary

This article describes how to use the Repackager tool that ships with AdminStudio to convert an installation packaged as an executable file (*.exe) to a Windows Installer package file (*.msi).

Synopsis

This article describes how to use the Repackager tool that ships with AdminStudio to convert an installation packaged as an executable file (*.exe) to a Windows Installer package file (*.msi).

Discussion

Installations created for the Windows Installer service dramatically differ from traditional installations. This makes reuse of legacy installations very difficult, unless one uses a repackaging tool.

The Repackager?s Repackaging Wizard can be used to capture the data placed on your system during installation and convert it into a Windows Installer (.msi) package. This .msi package can then be customized and distributed according to your organization's needs.

Starting the Repackaging Tool

To launch Repackager from the AdminStudio interface:

Launch AdminStudio.
Click the Tools tab.
From the Tools Gallery, click the Repackager icon on the left side.

The Repackager Start Page opens and you can begin the repackaging process.

Note: Repackager can also be launched directly from the Windows Start menu by pointing to All Programs->AdminStudio-> AdminStudio Version Tools, and clicking Repackager.

Repackaging Methods

Repackager supports three methods of repackaging:

Installation Monitoring Method
Repackager monitors system changes as an application is installed, and that data can be converted into a Windows Installer package. Installation Monitoring is the default method.

Snapshot Method
Repackager compares a system snapshot before and after an installation, determines the changes that were made, and that data can be converted to a Windows Installer package.

AdminStudio 2015 and earlier - InstallShield Professional Logging Method
Repackager reads logged output of InstallShield Editor and InstallScript installations to obtain additional information that would not be captured by repackaging, such as path variables and a feature tree.

Based on method selection, complete the appropriate panels in the Repackaging Wizard. When the Repackaging Wizard has finished its analysis, Repackager automatically creates a Repackager Project (.irp) file, which can be modified in Repackager.

You can then convert the Repackager Project (.irp) file to:

An InstallShield Editor Project (.ism) file for further editing.
A Windows Installer package (.msi) file.

Additional Information

Reference the Related Documents section below for additional information about the various facets of the Repackaging Process and Repackager tool.

The Repackaging Wizard Best Practices document is helpful to ensure optimal performance of the Repackaging Wizard during repackaging and when working with Repackager projects.