MSI Packaging Software

[IKWeb]

Hello All

 

Our MSI packaging software has now become old, I need to look into a new product before I go and upgrade to the current version.

 

I thought I would ask you all what software you all used to create your MSI's in case something better was out there than what I currently use.

 

My current licence (although old) is with EMCO.

 

TIA

[RLR]

All our software is installed via bat scripts. Took a while to get them all setup but even most of the exe files have silent install switches. The only ones that don't or I can't find are usually very old bits of software.

[computer_expert]

I've not used it myself but I've seen WiX mentioned a few times before

[Ditto]

Just wondering if you need to use MSI's for distribution/deployment? Not something I have a lot of experience in, but on a Google IT certification, I learnt about Chocolatey - might be worth investigating - @mavhc has used it I believe, so must be good - and besides, it's such a great name. Also, another thread seemed to suggest PDQ was well regarded.

[Norphy]

Just wondering if you need to use MSI's for distribution/deployment? Not something I have a lot of experience in, but on a Google IT certification, I learnt about Chocolatey - might be worth investigating - @mavhc has used it I believe, so must be good - and besides, it's such a great name. Also, another thread seemed to suggest PDQ was well regarded.

 

No matter what platform you use for installation, whether its Chocolatey, PDQ, SCCM, ZCM, Altiris, GPO, whatever needs the installer to be in a package that the OS can recognise. Whether that package is an MSI, MSIX or an EXE is a different question.

 

For what it's worth, it's my opinion that you should stick to the manufacturers installer as much as possible rather than repackaging it. In my experience it generally means less headaches down the line and you're installing it in a way that the software publisher supports. If you are going to repackage it, using an MSI is a probably the best way since that's the native Windows installer platform and the EMCO suite is still pretty good and not unreasonably priced.

[free780]

If you have SCCM as long as you can tun the installer unattended there isn't an issue.

 

You've always got to consider that you'll probably need to update the application at some point. You need a unattended uninstaller as well.

 

Use the vendors command line as much as possible.

I've written PowerShell scripts to deploy and uninstall before where there is no installer.

 

The whole "I need a MSi" doesn't really work now.

 

Now if every single app was in the store and would just update that would be brilliant.

[mavhc]

There's Microsoft's WinGet now as well. Are these specifically educational programs you're looking to package, or general purpose stuff?