What Happens When You Browse for a Merge Module

InstallShield 2024

InstallShield does not maintain references to merge modules as explicit paths. Instead, it generates a key for a merge module based on the merge module GUID and the merge module locale. When InstallShield needs to access the merge module, it looks in the folders specified in the Merge Module Locations box for a file that matches that key. The Merge Module Locations box is on the Merge Modules tab of the Options dialog box.

When you browse for a merge module, the path to the folder containing the merge module is added to the list of paths in the Merge Module Locations box. In addition, a GUID:Locale key is added to your installation project based on the selected file.

Impact on Your Installation

If two merge modules in the Merge Module Locations box have the GUID:Locale key, only one is included into your installation, even if they have different file names. Because of the way InstallShield uses the Merge Module Locations box to search, it is not possible to predict which merge module will be included.

Limiting the Number of Directories in the Merge Module Locations Box

If you use a shared merge module gallery, there might be earlier or later versions of a merge module in the gallery than what exists on the target machine. For this reason, it is sometimes prudent to try and limit the number of directories in your Merge Module Locations box.

To limit the number of directories, do one of the following:

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Using Windows Explorer, copy the merge module that you want into one of the folders that is already listed in the Merge Module Locations box.

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Remove the default folders from the search path so that you are referencing only the shared location.