How To Convert EXE To MSI Package In 5 Easy Steps. Ready for another conversion. Step 3 – Pick the EXE application you want to “transform” into MSI. I want to convert a msi file in to an exe file. When i run msi file with qn option with msiexec then my software install silently. But now i want to convert that msi file into.exe file, and that exe file runs msi file with msiexec /i 'path of msi file' /qn option, any idea how to do it. Dear Friends, Anyone one can tell me what is the procedure of exe file convert to msi file because i am depolying application during windows installation. I want to convert a msi file in to an exe file. When i run msi file with qn option with msiexec then my software install silently. But now i want to convert that msi file into.exe file, and that exe file runs msi file with msiexec /i 'path of msi file' /qn option, any idea how to do it.
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An executable file, usually with the file extension .exe, is one that when opened will carry out an action. In many cases this will be to run an application, but the action may also be to install an application. System administrators may restrict the use of executable files on their systems to reduce the risk of malware causing harm. The administrators may instead prefer installable software to come as a Windows Installer package, in which the key file has the file extension .msi. Using Windows Installer makes it easier for administrators to keep track of which software is on which machine and, if needed, to remove software smoothly. Several independent applications allow you to 'convert' an executable file by building it into a Windows Installer package.
Tool To Convert Exe To Msi FileMSI WrapperStep 1
Download and install the free MSI Wrapper application from the EXEMSI website (link in Resources), then open the application.
Step 2
Click 'Next' on the opening screen to start the process. On the next screen, input the location of the executable file you want to put into an MSI package and the location where you want to put the created MSI package. You can either type the location or click the icon with three dots to browse through your file directory. Click 'Next' when you are done.
Step 3
Type in an Application ID referring to the application for which you are packaging the executable file. If you aren't sure what to put, click on 'Look up.' If this is the first time you'll be using an MSI package for this particular application, click on 'Create New' to generate an upgrade code that you should use if you later update the application on your system using an MSI package. If you've previously created an MSI package for this application, type in the upgrade code. Click 'Next' when you are done.
Step 4
Click 'Next' to go through each of the next two screens, which describe your MSI package. Most of the information should be filled in automatically. If any fields are empty and you know the details that should be there, type these details in the field.
Step 5
Leave the following screen, which details parameters for the installation and uninstallation process, empty. Click 'Next' to review your settings and then 'Build' to create the MSI package.
Convert Msi To Exe File
An executable file, usually with the file extension .exe, is one that when opened will carry out an action. In many cases this will be to run an application, but the action may also be to install an application. System administrators may restrict the use of executable files on their systems to reduce the risk of malware causing harm. The administrators may instead prefer installable software to come as a Windows Installer package, in which the key file has the file extension .msi. Using Windows Installer makes it easier for administrators to keep track of which software is on which machine and, if needed, to remove software smoothly. Several independent applications allow you to 'convert' an executable file by building it into a Windows Installer package.
Advanced InstallerStep 1
Download and install Advanced Installer (link in Resources), then open the application.
Step 2
Select 'New,' then 'Import' and then 'MSI from EXE(s)'
Step 3
Type in the name of the application the MSI package will install and your company name, then click 'Next.'
Step 4
Change the listed (default) name and location for your MSI package if needed, then click 'Next.'
Step 5
Click on 'Add From Disk' and select the EXE file or files that you want to convert into an MSI package, then click 'OK.'
Step 6
Leave the default settings on the next screen -- which determine how the MSI package will install the application -- unless you want to change anything, then click 'Next' and then 'Build' to create the MSI package
An executable file, usually with the file extension .exe, is one that when opened will carry out an action. In many cases this will be to run an application, but the action may also be to install an application. System administrators may restrict the use of executable files on their systems to reduce the risk of malware causing harm. The administrators may instead prefer installable software to come as a Windows Installer package, in which the key file has the file extension .msi. Using Windows Installer makes it easier for administrators to keep track of which software is on which machine and, if needed, to remove software smoothly. Several independent applications allow you to 'convert' an executable file by building it into a Windows Installer package.
EXE to MSI ConverterStep 1
Download and install EXE to MSI Converter (link in Resources), then open the application.
Step 2
Click 'New MSI Package' to the left and then in the box to the right type the name and version of the product you want to install and your company name.
Step 3
Click 'New Install Project' to the left and then use the 'File path' box to the right to locate the executable file you want to convert into an MSI package.
Step 4
Click 'Install Script' to the left and then the 'Record Script' button to the right. You'll then see a window that simulates the on-screen instructions you see when installing the relevant application. Go through this simulated process, selecting any installation options you want your MSI package to automatically use.
Step 5
Click 'Uninstall Script' to the left and then the 'Record Script' button to the right. You'll then see a window that simulates the on-screen instructions you see when uninstalling the relevant application. Go through this simulated process, selecting any uninstallation options you want your MSI package to automatically use.
![]() Step 6
Select MSI Package to the left of the screen and then click 'Build MSI Package' to the right. Change the setting for 'Deployment method' if necessary for your system, then click 'Build Package.'
ReferencesResourcesAbout the Author![]()
A professional writer since 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism, John Lister ran the press department for the Plain English Campaign until 2005. He then worked as a freelance writer with credits including national newspapers, magazines and online work. He specializes in technology and communications.
Active2 years, 8 months ago
I'm looking at deploying some software via GPSI and the current version of the software is distributed as a .exe so I need to convert it to an MSI file.
furthermore, why does MS still distribute some of its software (WMI Tools) as .exe
Wayne Koorts
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GNUixGNUix
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8 Answers
The type of tool you're looking for is called an Application Repackaging tool. The process would include capturing an installation (take a machine snapshot, run your installation and make customisations, then run a second snapshot to calculate the differences) then compiling the captured data into MSI format.
The following are some free tools to perform these tasks, in order:
As for your second question: You will find that sometimes vendors will supply an MSI wrapped in an executable, so if you run the .exe you might be able to dig out the MSI from a temp directory.
Wayne KoortsWayne Koorts
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I've usedAdvanced Installer and AppDeploy Repackager and have gotten good results.
garggarg
Check out WinINSTALL LE:
You have to install the program, and it will watch what happens and create an MSI installer. I usually make my installs on a clean VM so that it doesn't catch background activities of programs I usually use.
JosephJoseph
Heh, I'll try and answer my own question.I'm also going to look at The AppDeploy Repackager. It looks like it will do pretty much the same thing as Joseph mentioned. I'll see which one does the job with less stress on my part :)
GNUixGNUix
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It's not free but if you have any Visual Studio licenses, that has a great MSI packager available in it.
Maximus MinimusMaximus Minimus
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IMO WiX may be the best way, since repackager working with snapshots tend to record unrelated changes, as far as you don't spend some time setting exclusions.. Tkinter tutorial python pdf to xml.
Using the Wixtool makes the creation of an MSI quite convenient instead of writing lots of xml containers ;)
user77029user77029
Converting Exe To Msi
moobaamoobaa
I copy here two lists from a couple of webpages I found.
A long list of deployment software, including repackagers, with descriptions added: http://www.installsite.org/pages/en/tt_corp.htm
Here I copy only the names mentioned in this webpage: Converting Exe To Msi Files
One more list from: http://www.interfacett.com/blogs/exe-msi-deploy-exe-based-installer-microsoft-world/
Probably not all of them are repackagers.
Roland PihlakasRoland Pihlakas
protected by Michael Hampton♦Nov 3 '13 at 23:16
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