Upgrading Software
During an upgrade, Windows Installer searches for upgradable products by querying the Upgrade table of the upgrade package. Windows Installer installs the new version of the product. If the installation software finds an older version of the product, it removes the previous version. This is similar to running the msiexec command with the /x argument
Types of Upgrades
There are three types of upgrades:
· Small updates
· Minor upgrades
· Major upgrades
Manufacturers might provide updates and upgrades as a full installation package (.msi) or as a patch package (.msp).
Small Updates
A small update changes the .msi file and the application files without changing the "Product Code" or "Product Version." An update to one or two files, which is too small a change to warrant changing the product version, is considered a small update.
Minor Upgrades
A minor upgrade changes the application's product version but not its product code. Changing the product version enables the author to prevent downgrades, and enables the sequencing of packages to install. The product version is stored in the ProductVersion property.If the software renewal modifies a version file, it must increment the version of the file in the File table. If the update removes resources, it typically updates the RemoveFile and RemoveRegistry tables to remove any unused files, registry keys, or shortcuts that have already been installed.
Major Upgrades
A major upgrade changes both the product version and the product code—essentially, a new installation and, optionally, an application removal. The product code is a GUID and is the principal identifier for an application. It is stored in the ProductCode property in the Property table. A manufacturer can ship a major upgrade as a patch (an .msp file) or as a full product (an msi file). Major upgrades are possible only with Windows Installer version 1.1 or later.During a major upgrade, Windows Installer searches the client computer for installed applications that are related to the pending upgrade. On detecting such an application, Windows Installer retrieves that application's version designation from the system registry. Windows Installer then uses information in the database of the upgrade to determine whether to upgrade the installed application.
In a major upgrade, the original installed version of an application might be uninstalled, or it might remain on the system and coexist with the newer version. The availability of this option depends on the implementation of each application: if an application does not function properly with different versions of the same product installed on the same system, the setup program will not offer the option for such an installation because it is likely that both versions of the application function unpredictably.
An update to one or two files that is too small to warrant changing the ProductVersion. The package code in the Revision Number Summary property does change. The manufacturer can ship the product as a patch package or as a full product installation package.
A small update that involves changes large enough to warrant changing the ProductVersion property. The manufacturer can ship the product as a patch package or as a full product installation package.
A comprehensive update of the product warranting a change in the ProductCode property. The manufacturer can ship the product as a patch package or as a full product installation package.
Posted by: Prasanna Kumar
During an upgrade, Windows Installer searches for upgradable products by querying the Upgrade table of the upgrade package. Windows Installer installs the new version of the product. If the installation software finds an older version of the product, it removes the previous version. This is similar to running the msiexec command with the /x argument
Types of Upgrades
There are three types of upgrades:
· Small updates
· Minor upgrades
· Major upgrades
Manufacturers might provide updates and upgrades as a full installation package (.msi) or as a patch package (.msp).
Small Updates
A small update changes the .msi file and the application files without changing the "Product Code" or "Product Version." An update to one or two files, which is too small a change to warrant changing the product version, is considered a small update.
Minor Upgrades
A minor upgrade changes the application's product version but not its product code. Changing the product version enables the author to prevent downgrades, and enables the sequencing of packages to install. The product version is stored in the ProductVersion property.If the software renewal modifies a version file, it must increment the version of the file in the File table. If the update removes resources, it typically updates the RemoveFile and RemoveRegistry tables to remove any unused files, registry keys, or shortcuts that have already been installed.
Major Upgrades
A major upgrade changes both the product version and the product code—essentially, a new installation and, optionally, an application removal. The product code is a GUID and is the principal identifier for an application. It is stored in the ProductCode property in the Property table. A manufacturer can ship a major upgrade as a patch (an .msp file) or as a full product (an msi file). Major upgrades are possible only with Windows Installer version 1.1 or later.During a major upgrade, Windows Installer searches the client computer for installed applications that are related to the pending upgrade. On detecting such an application, Windows Installer retrieves that application's version designation from the system registry. Windows Installer then uses information in the database of the upgrade to determine whether to upgrade the installed application.
In a major upgrade, the original installed version of an application might be uninstalled, or it might remain on the system and coexist with the newer version. The availability of this option depends on the implementation of each application: if an application does not function properly with different versions of the same product installed on the same system, the setup program will not offer the option for such an installation because it is likely that both versions of the application function unpredictably.
An update to one or two files that is too small to warrant changing the ProductVersion. The package code in the Revision Number Summary property does change. The manufacturer can ship the product as a patch package or as a full product installation package.
A small update that involves changes large enough to warrant changing the ProductVersion property. The manufacturer can ship the product as a patch package or as a full product installation package.
A comprehensive update of the product warranting a change in the ProductCode property. The manufacturer can ship the product as a patch package or as a full product installation package.
Posted by: Prasanna Kumar
