Can't get minor upgrade to work with WiX Toolset v5.0.2 when creating a sub-folder #8984

dtugend · 2025-03-15T01:13:50Z

dtugend
Mar 15, 2025

Edit:
For people with the same problem: The answer by robmen pointed me in the right direction, I was assuming I could install an minor upgrade msi by just double clicking it / default parameters, but this is wrong, a minor upgrade needs special parameters set, especially the REINSTALLMODE variable should include the v flag.

I am upgrading from WiX v3 to WiX v5 and I can't figure what I am doing wrong / missing.

I tried to make the problem reproducible as simple as possible:

Files

Package.wxs

<Wix xmlns="http://wixtoolset.org/schemas/v4/wxs">
    <Package
        ProductCode="{C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59}"
        Version="$(var.Version)"
        Name="Test"
        Manufacturer="Tester"
        UpgradeCode="{C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59}"
        Language="1033" Codepage="1252"
    >
        <Feature Id="Test" AllowAbsent="no" InstallDefault="local">
            <Component Id="Test" Guid="{87F3F499-DC20-4079-ADFB-BD0C718D9DDB}" Directory="INSTALLFOLDER" NeverOverwrite="yes" KeyPath="yes">
                <CreateFolder />
                <CreateFolder Directory="_003A8A70_121B_4771_B213_4829EFA3DEDB_ffmpeg" />
                <File Id="_FB021288_3A4C_4AAB_8CC8_725321F2A58E_keep"  Name=".keep" Source="$(sys.SOURCEFILEDIR).keep" />
            </Component>
        </Feature>
    </Package>
    <Fragment>
        <StandardDirectory Id="ProgramFilesFolder">
            <Directory Id="INSTALLFOLDER" Name="HLAE FFMPEG">
                <Directory Id="_003A8A70_121B_4771_B213_4829EFA3DEDB_ffmpeg" Name="ffmpeg" />
            </Directory>
        </StandardDirectory>
    </Fragment>
</Wix>

.keep

Commands

dotnet tool install --global wix --version 5.0.2
wix build -arch x86 -culture en-US -d "var.Version=1.0.0.0" -o Test-1.0.0.msi Package.wxs
wix build -arch x86 -culture en-US -d "var.Version=1.1.0.0" -o Test-1.1.0.msi Package.wxs

msiexec /i Test-1.0.0.msi /L*vx  log-1.0.0.txt
msiexec /i Test-1.1.0.msi /L*vx  log-1.1.0.txt

Result:

Logs

log-1.1.0.txt

=== Verbose logging started: 15/03/2025  02:09:44  Build type: SHIP UNICODE 5.00.10011.00  Calling process: C:\Windows\system32\msiexec.exe ===
MSI (c) (44:94) [02:09:44:469]: Font created.  Charset: Req=0, Ret=0, Font: Req=MS Shell Dlg, Ret=MS Shell Dlg

MSI (c) (44:94) [02:09:44:469]: Font created.  Charset: Req=0, Ret=0, Font: Req=MS Shell Dlg, Ret=MS Shell Dlg

MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:484]: Resetting cached policy values
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:484]: Machine policy value 'Debug' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:484]: ******* RunEngine:
           ******* Product: Test-1.1.0.msi
           ******* Action: 
           ******* CommandLine: **********
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:484]: Machine policy value 'DisableUserInstalls' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: Access database with Impersonation
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: Verifying package --> 'C:\source\advancedfx\installer\test\Test-1.1.0.msi' against software restriction policy
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: Note: 1: 2262 2: �DigitalSignature 3: -2147287038 
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: C:\source\advancedfx\installer\test\Test-1.1.0.msi is not digitally signed
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: C:\source\advancedfx\installer\test\Test-1.1.0.msi is permitted to run at the 'unrestricted' authorization level.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: Cloaking enabled.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: Attempting to enable all disabled privileges before calling Install on Server
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: End dialog not enabled
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: Original package ==> C:\source\advancedfx\installer\test\Test-1.1.0.msi
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: Package we're running from ==> C:\source\advancedfx\installer\test\Test-1.1.0.msi
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: APPCOMPAT: Uninstall Flags override found.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: APPCOMPAT: Uninstall VersionNT override found.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: APPCOMPAT: Uninstall ServicePackLevel override found.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: APPCOMPAT: looking for appcompat database entry with ProductCode '{C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59}'.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:506]: APPCOMPAT: no matching ProductCode found in database.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: MSCOREE not loaded loading copy from system32
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Machine policy value 'DisablePatch' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Machine policy value 'AllowLockdownPatch' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Machine policy value 'DisableMsi' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Machine policy value 'AlwaysInstallElevated' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: User policy value 'AlwaysInstallElevated' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Product {C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59} is admin assigned: LocalSystem owns the publish key.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Product {C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59} is managed.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Running product '{C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59}' with elevated privileges: Product is assigned.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Machine policy value 'DisableLUAPatching' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Machine policy value 'DisableFlyWeightPatching' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Enabling baseline caching for this transaction since all active patches are MSI 3.0 style MSPs or at least one MSI 3.0 minor update patch is active
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: APPCOMPAT: looking for appcompat database entry with ProductCode '{C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59}'.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: APPCOMPAT: no matching ProductCode found in database.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Transforms are not secure.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Note: 1: 2205 2:  3: Control 
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: PROPERTY CHANGE: Adding MsiLogFileLocation property. Its value is 'C:\source\advancedfx\installer\test\log-1.1.0.rxt'.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Command Line: CURRENTDIRECTORY=C:\source\advancedfx\installer\test CLIENTUILEVEL=0 CLIENTPROCESSID=10820 
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: PROPERTY CHANGE: Adding PackageCode property. Its value is '{BEB9DC46-8DD0-4FBF-B42A-BCC2E2B77EC6}'.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Product Code passed to Engine.Initialize:           ''
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Product Code from property table before transforms: '{C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59}'
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Product Code from property table after transforms:  '{C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59}'
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Product registered: entering maintenance mode
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Determined that existing product (either this product or the product being upgraded with a patch) is installed per-machine.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: PROPERTY CHANGE: Adding ProductState property. Its value is '5'.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: PROPERTY CHANGE: Adding ProductToBeRegistered property. Its value is '1'.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Entering CMsiConfigurationManager::SetLastUsedSource.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Specifed source is already in a list.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: User policy value 'SearchOrder' is 'nmu'
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Machine policy value 'DisableBrowse' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Machine policy value 'AllowLockdownBrowse' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Machine policy value 'AlwaysInstallElevated' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: User policy value 'AlwaysInstallElevated' is 0
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Product {C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59} is admin assigned: LocalSystem owns the publish key.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Product {C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59} is managed.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Running product '{C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59}' with elevated privileges: Product is assigned.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Adding new sources is not allowed.
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: PROPERTY CHANGE: Adding PackagecodeChanging property. Its value is '1'.
Another version of this product is already installed. Installation of this version cannot continue. To configure or remove the existing version of this product, use Add/Remove Programs on the Control Panel.
{C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59}
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Note: 1: 1729 
MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Product: Test -- Configuration failed.

MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: Windows Installer reconfigured the product. Product Name: Test. Product Version: 1.1.0.0. Product Language: 1033. Manufacturer: Tester. Reconfiguration success or error status: 1638.

MSI (c) (44:C8) [02:09:44:522]: MainEngineThread is returning 1638
=== Verbose logging stopped: 15/03/2025  02:09:44 ===

Answered by robmen

Mar 15, 2025

Mayhaps, MSIENFORCEUPGRADECOMPONENTRULES (see https://robmensching.com/blog/posts/2007/1/4/doing-a-small-update-or-minor-upgrade-in-msi-use/)?

View full answer

dtugend · 2025-03-15T02:08:34Z

dtugend
Mar 15, 2025
Author

If I remove the _003A8A70_121B_4771_B213_4829EFA3DEDB_ffmpeg directory everything starts working.

Is it not possible to create sub-folders for a component if I want minor upgrades to work, if I remember correctly this used to work in v3?
Or is this a bug?

4 replies

robmen Mar 15, 2025
Maintainer

Mayhaps, MSIENFORCEUPGRADECOMPONENTRULES (see https://robmensching.com/blog/posts/2007/1/4/doing-a-small-update-or-minor-upgrade-in-msi-use/)?

Answer selected by dtugend

dtugend Mar 15, 2025
Author

Thank you for your reply! I tried quite some time what you recommended, but couldn't spot the issue with my setup yet to be honest.

Test A:

wix build -arch x86 -culture en-US -d "var.Version=1.0.0.0" -o Test-1.0.0.msi Package.wxs
wix build -arch x86 -culture en-US -d "var.Version=1.1.0.0" -o Test-1.1.0.msi Package.wxs
msiexec /i Test-1.0.0.msi /L*vx  log-1.0.0.txt
msiexec /fvomus Test-1.1.0.msi REINSTALL=ALL REINSTALLMODE=vomus MSIENFORCEUPGRADECOMPONENTRULES=1 /l*v i.txt

The behavior of the install with these options is notably different ,it goes through successfully:

Result: i.txt

I noticed this, but it might be not relevant:

MSI (s) (F4:FC) [08:13:27:191]: Note: 1: 2265 2:  3: -2147287035 
MSI (s) (F4:FC) [08:13:27:206]: Note: 1: 2318 2:  
MSI (s) (F4:FC) [08:13:27:206]: Note: 1: 2318 2:  
MSI (s) (F4:FC) [08:13:27:206]: Note: 1: 1321 2: C:\Config.Msi\ 3: 5 
MSI (s) (F4:FC) [08:13:27:206]: Note: 1: 2205 2:  3: Error 
MSI (s) (F4:FC) [08:13:27:206]: Note: 1: 2228 2:  3: Error 4: SELECT `Message` FROM `Error` WHERE `Error` = 2911 
DEBUG: Error 2911:  Could not remove the folder C:\Config.Msi\.
MSI (s) (F4:FC) [08:13:27:206]: Note: 1: 2318 2:  
The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2911. The arguments are: C:\Config.Msi\, ,

Test B:

wix build -arch x86 -culture en-US -d "var.Version=1.0.0.0" -o Test-1.0.0.msi Package.wxs
wix build -arch x86 -culture en-US -d "var.Version=1.1.0.0" -o Test-1.1.0.msi Package.wxs
msiexec /i Test-1.0.0.msi /L*vx  log-1.0.0.txt
msiexec /i Test-1.1.0.msi MSIENFORCEUPGRADECOMPONENTRULES=1 /L*vx ib.txt

Result: ib.txt

I noticed this:

MSI (c) (04:10) [08:23:16:352]: Product Code passed to Engine.Initialize:           ''
MSI (c) (04:10) [08:23:16:352]: Product Code from property table before transforms: '{C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59}'
MSI (c) (04:10) [08:23:16:352]: Product Code from property table after transforms:  '{C3ED44EA-76A6-4EEB-A3B6-674100C32B59}'

Product Code passed to Engine.Initialize: '' - but I don't know if that's normal or not and also not why it happens.

dtugend Mar 15, 2025
Author

This works:

msiexec /i Test-1.1.0.msi REINSTALLMODE=v MSIENFORCEUPGRADECOMPONENTRULES=1 /l*v i.txt

This doesn't work (default REINSTALLMODE):

msiexec /i Test-1.1.0.msi REINSTALLMODE=omus MSIENFORCEUPGRADECOMPONENTRULES=1 /l*v i.txt

dtugend Mar 15, 2025
Author

Ok, so from Burn bootstraper this would work, since it sets the v accordingly.

I always assumed I can do an MSI file minor upgrade just by double click / default parameters, but apparently this is wrong?

Sorry for being dumb :(
Edit: and thanks for helping!

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Can't get minor upgrade to work with WiX Toolset v5.0.2 when creating a sub-folder #8984

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WiX Toolset

Can't get minor upgrade to work with WiX Toolset v5.0.2 when creating a sub-folder #8984

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dtugend Mar 15, 2025

Files

Package.wxs

.keep

Commands

Logs

log-1.1.0.txt

Replies: 1 comment · 4 replies

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dtugend Mar 15, 2025 Author

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robmen Mar 15, 2025 Maintainer

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dtugend Mar 15, 2025 Author

Test A:

Test B:

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Mar 15, 2025

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