Using Orca To Change Service

Question

I have a Windows Service I created that I want to install multiple times on the same server without having to create multiple duplicate VS projects. Is there a way to use Orca to edit the MSI file to this end?

Answer 1

There is a way, but it's not easy. Basically, you need to generate multiple transforms which represent different instances of your product:

• use Transform -> New Transform menu to start creating a transform
• change the ProductCode and ProductName properties in Property table
• change your service name
• save the transform
• do the same for the other instances you want to have
• when installing the package, use one of the transforms: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490766.aspx