Install/uninstall MSI using VB.NET

This tip was submitted to the VS.NET Info Center by member Chris Disley. Please let other users know how useful it is by rating it below. Do you have a tip or code of your own you'd like to share? Submit it here.

Since the Windows Installer Object Model does not work properly when used with .NET, I've found that the easiest way to control the installation, etc. of MSIs is to use the API provided in msi.dll.

Code: 

    Const ERROR_SUCCESS = 0

    Declare Function MsiInstallProduct Lib "msi.dll" Alias "MsiInstallProductA"
(ByVal szPackagePath As String, ByVal szCommandLine As String) As Long

    Sub InstallMSI(ByVal remove As Boolean, ByVal MSIFile As String)
        Select Case remove
            Case True
                If MsiInstallProduct("MSIFileName", "REMOVE=ALL") =
ERROR_SUCCESS Then MsgBox("OK")
            Case False
                If MsiInstallProduct("MSIFileName", "property1=value1 
property2=value2") = ERROR_SUCCESS Then MsgBox("OK")
        End Select
    End Sub

This was first published in April 2003

Disclaimer: Our Tips Exchange is a forum for you to share technical advice and expertise with your peers and to learn from other enterprise IT professionals. TechTarget provides the infrastructure to facilitate this sharing of information. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the material submitted. You agree that your use of the Ask The Expert services and your reliance on any questions, answers, information or other materials received through this Web site is at your own risk.

Back to top