Installation Directory

[viperfire]

Is there any way that I can get my program to install in the default directory.
I use the Application setup wizard that comes with VB, and for update reasons I want the program to install to the default location.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

[Steve Stunning]

Did you get anywhere with your problem?


I am working on a problem where I need to know where the progam was installed using the MS installer.

[jemidiah]

While I would use Inno (http://www.innosetup.com/, I do believe there's an option to disallow user intervention of installation directory), you can edit the P&D Wizard to do what you want (it's a VB project, on my comp. it's around here: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\VB98\Wizards\PDWizard).

Edit: For Steve: you might try searching the registry for the install path of what you're trying to remove. Hope it works

[Steve Stunning]

I have found the uninstall area and use it for another purpose. I also see a key for 'InstallLocation' but it is always blank when I do installs.

Using MSI... is there a way to have it fill in this block? The only other way I know is to have my program update the location it is ran from. This is a probem if they never run the program after installing it.

Basically... I created a nice live update program and need to know where my product was installed so I can update the exe or add new files.

[binduau]

This Post might help, i created it to find Access but it could be used to find any progam, The functions find the program associated with an App..... etc...........

(if your proggy has files associated with it then KOOL...

Go Here This Might Help


with respect

bindu

[Steve Stunning]

Thanks for the tip...


If a user was to remove the association then my program would not be able to locate the file quickly. Rats!!


If only I can just have MSI identify the install location in the registry then I would be on easy street. MSI will write registry items but I do not know how identify the install location the user is selecting.

The only option I have is to not permit the user to change the install location and let MSI install to the default location instead. Then I just identify where the program 'should be' and go from there.

[MartinLiss]

Originally posted by viperfire
Is there any way that I can get my program to install in the default directory.
I use the Application setup wizard that comes with VB, and for update reasons I want the program to install to the default location.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

I may not understand your problem, but why not use App.Path and then not worry where the user has installed the app?

[jemidiah]

I believe he's talking about writing the registry from the Microsoft Installer, which should, by all rights, write it to the registry already. You might try searching around the web to see if anyone else has run into that problem. On another sidenote: I really would suggest you try Inno, just to see if it'll do what you want it to. If not, there's a workaround to every problem

[Steve Stunning]

Thanks...

Eventually I will just create my own installer.. I just do not have the time. I am currently working an a program to update all my products on a users computer and it works great!!

For anyone else who needs a way to find the Install Path...

Basically... I have worked around the Install location requirement by doing this:

When the program is installed it creates two GUIDS. One identifies the program and another to group the program and it's requirements. Each required file also has a GUID.

These are stored in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\xxxx\Components\{EXEGUID}\{GroupGUID}\AppP ath

xxxx = A user Token ID number I guess. There can be several and the registry entry will be in one of them. I guess who ever installed the program will contain the entry.

These Unique ID numbers are the same when installed on other computers. So I search for the {EXE GUID} and then get the Key for the {Group GUID}. This ultimatly returns the App Path.

Hope this is of some use for others. It took me 10 hours to research this.

[binduau]

Hi there i needed it too so i spent a bit of time on it..

See the zip



bindu

[Steve Stunning]

I never found the App Path entry till you pointed it out. This is because I did seaches for my program.


Here is the funny thing... I see tons of other apps but none of mine that I installed with the Miscrosoft Installer!!

[binduau]

Visual basic apps arelimited by the visual basic run time to creating and storing keys here>>>>

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings


but that is if you use this >>

SaveSetting StrAppName, strSection, strRegKey, strRegset


you can use the API instead to control where it is put, to do this you will have to edit the setup which is created for your App when
you make the package, and find "SaveSetting" and change it to an API call instead...

Search the forum for registry or registry or Regsetkey API calls or similar..

or use the bas in the zip file
maybe you can put the zip on the code bank ???



other than that you will have to create a completely new non-VB
custom install program...



with respect

bindu

[Mr. Den]

I believe the variable in the MSI program is targetdir, you can set a key in the registry with that value with the installer.

[Steve Stunning]

binduau


I have a module that reads and writes to any location of the registry I desire. Been using it for years. My problem stems from the MSI installer and not being able to have the install process write a registry entry with the 'user selected' install location.

The MSI installer is a new thing for me so I am still learning how to use it.


Mr. Den

Thanks for your tip! I will give it a try right now and see what results I get. I will be sure to post if it worked or not.

[Buzby]

Edit the SETUP.LST file generated by the P&D Wizard using Notepad, and add

ForceUseDefDir=1

to the end of the [Setup] section

eg;

[Setup]
Title=My App
DefaultDir=$(ProgramFiles)\MyApp
AppExe=MyApp.exe
AppToUninstall=MyApp.exe
ForceUseDefDir=1

The user will not be prompted for the install location - and it will be installed into wherever is designated in the DefaultDir= line.

[binduau]

Originally posted by Buzby
Edit the SETUP.LST file generated by the P&D Wizard using Notepad, and add

ForceUseDefDir=1

to the end of the [Setup] section

eg;

[Setup]
Title=My App
DefaultDir=$(ProgramFiles)\MyApp
AppExe=MyApp.exe
AppToUninstall=MyApp.exe
ForceUseDefDir=1

The user will not be prompted for the install location - and it will be installed into wherever is designated in the DefaultDir= line.

[Steve Stunning]

This is some good information... but what about using MSI instead of the P&D Wizard.