Applying a QuickPatch
InstallShield 2020 Express Edition
Project:This information applies to QuickPatch projects.
A QuickPatch package (.msp) file contains the transforms and instructions necessary for upgrading one or more installed versions of a product.
Before you can apply a QuickPatch package, Windows Installer version 1.1 or later must be present on the system. In addition, the package that you want to update must be installed locally or as an administrative image. A further requirement is that the existing installation package be installed with the same privileges and for the same users as the QuickPatch package. For example, if the product was installed for all users, the update should be installed for all users, as well.
The easiest way to apply a QuickPatch is to double-click the .msp file in Windows Explorer or right-click the file and then click Open. When you apply a patch for a minor upgrade, a PatchWelcome dialog is the first dialog that opens. When you apply a patch for a major upgrade, the full dialog sequence appears, as when you run an installation standalone.
From the command line, you can apply a patch with the MsiExec.exe /p option. Type the following statement to apply a patch package located at X:\Product Updates\Build 36\PatchForV1.msp:
msiexec /p "X:\Product Updates\Build 36\PatchForV1.msp"Update.exe
If you selected the Create Update.exe check box for your QuickPatch configuration in the Build Settings area of the General Information view, InstallShield wraps your .msp file in an executable file. Update.exe launches your patch package with the following command-line expression:
msiexec /p <path to .msp file> REINSTALL=ALL REINSTALLMODE=omus
Applying a QuickPatch in Silent Mode
There are two ways you can apply a QuickPatch in silent mode: either launch MsiExec.exe with the /qn command-line parameter, or pass /s to Update.exe.
There is an important consideration to bear in mind when applying a QuickPatch in silent mode. In order to operate correctly, the Windows Installer property REINSTALL must be set to ALL and REINSTALLMODE to omus whenever you apply a QuickPatch. Since Update.exe always sets these properties at the command line, you do not have to do anything extra if your QuickPatch package is applied with Update.exe.
When a QuickPatch package is applied with a full user interface, one of your installation’s default dialogs, PatchWelcome, is displayed. It includes control events to set REINSTALL and REINSTALLMODE with the correct options. However, since this dialog is not displayed when the end-user interface is suppressed, you must set the properties at the command line, as demonstrated below:
msiexec /p <path to .msp file> /qn REINSTALL=ALL REINSTALLMODE=omus
Because a QuickPatch does not modify the existing cached .msi database, including the v setting for REINSTALLMODE is unnecessary.
See Also