Why can't I change the target directory path during a Maintenance Installation?

Question

Why can't I change the target directory path during a Maintenance Installation?

This is the last line of Changing the Target Location for a Directory [Windows Installer] where it says

Do not attempt to change the target directory path during a Maintenance Installation.

Answer

Components will retain the directories they were registered under. Setting TARGETDIR during maintenance mode interferes with the retention.

Content credit also belongs to

• Carolyn, MSI Team Dev Lead. You can get other Carolyn insights about developing for Windows Installer from the Windows Installer Chat Archives

[Author: Robert Flaming]

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