How to update assemblies in existing MSI?

Question

We have existing MSI created using InstallShield 9.0. This MSI installs some .NET assemblies in target installation directory.

We have changed some functionality of application and so a few assemblies have been changed. Now we want to edit/update the MSI to have the latest of those modified assemblies. How to do it now?

Can Orca be used for it? If yes, can you point me to some useful link where I can find instructions/guide?

If someone can guide in editing MSM (merge module) using Orca, even that would be fine.

Note: We need to edit existing MSI due to strange request from customer. Otherwise, releasing a patch is good option, I know.

Answer 1

I used many links to get a solution. All helpful links are shared below.

http://developermax.blogspot.com/2011/02/msi.html

http://csi-windows.com/blog/all/27-csi-news-general/158-how-to-extract-a-single-file-from-a-large-msi-4-ways

How to replace a file in a msi installer?

http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/112121-makecab-everything-in-a-folder/

http://community.installshield.com/showthread.php?t=182791

Simplest solution to replace a tiny file inside an MSI?

Answer 2

You cannot simply edit the MSI because file information is stored in multiple places in your installer (File table, Components table, CAB archives etc.).

The recommended approach is to create a new version of your installer as a major upgrade. Basically, in your original InstallShield project you increase the Product Version and change the Product Code.

This way your new installer will automatically uninstall the old one. Whatever request your client has, a new version shouldn't be a problem.