WiX Toolset is a free and open source framework for building Windows installation packages from XML code. In order to use WiX Toolset in Visual Studio, you first need to download and install it. Once installed, you can create a new WiX project in Visual Studio by going to File->New->Project and selecting “WiX Toolset Project” from the list of templates.
When you create a new WiX project, you will be prompted to select a project template. For most purposes, the “Empty” template will suffice. Once you have selected a template and given your project a name, you will be presented with the main WiX project file, called “Product.wxs”. This is where you will write the XML code that defines your Windows installation package.
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The Product.wxs file is divided into a number of sections, each of which serves a different purpose.
The <Product> element is required and must be the first element in the file. It contains information about the product such as its name, version, manufacturer, etc. The <Package> element contains information about how the package will be installed, such as whether it will be installed per-machine or per-user. The <Directory> element is used to define the structure of the installation directory, including any subdirectories that should be created. The <Component> element is used to define individual files and shortcuts that should be installed as part of the package.
Once you have finished authoring your Product.wxs file, you can build your project to generate the final Windows installation package (.msi file). To do this, simply go to Build->Build Solution or press F7. Alternatively, you can also use the command-line WiX Toolset utilities to build your project if you prefer.
How Do I Use WiX Toolset in Visual Studio?
In order to use WiX Toolset in Visual Studio, you first need to download and install it.
When you create a new WiX project, you will be prompted to select a project template.
This is where you will write the XML code that defines your Windows installation package.
The Product. The <Product> element is required and must be the first element in the file.
The <Package> element contains information about how the package will be installed.
The <Directory> element is used to define the structure of the installation directory.
The <Component> element is used to define individual files and shortcuts that should be installed as part of the package.
How Do I Use WiX Toolset in Visual Studio?
(1): In order to use WiX Toolset in Visual Studio, you first need to download and install it.
(2): Once installed, you can create a new WiX project in Visual Studio by going to File->New->Project and selecting “WiX Toolset Project” from
the list of templates.
(3): When you create a new WiX project, you will be prompted to select a project template.
(4): For most purposes,”Empty”template will suffice.
(5): Once you have selected a template and given your project a name,”Product.wxs”file will open up.
(6): This is where you will write XML code that defines your Windows installation package.
(7): Product .wxs file is divided into sections.
(8):Each section has its own purpose.
(9): The <Product>element must be present as first element in file which contains information like name ,version ,manufacturer etc .
(10):The <Package>element contains information like how package needs to get installed i:e per user or machine.
(11):The <“Directory”>element helps us define structure of installation directory along with subdirectories if any .
(12):The <“Component”>element helps us individually identify files or shortcuts required during installation process.
(13):Once we are done with our Product .wxs file ,we can now build our solution by going Build->BuildSolution or else we could also use command line utilities provided by Wix toolkit .
