Property Reference

This section lists the properties defined by Windows Installer:

Additional properties can be specified by authored data or custom actions. Properties with names containing no lowercase letters are public properties and can be specified on the command line.

For information about values of the Uninstall registry key that are provided by installer properties, see Uninstall Registry Key.

Component Location Properties

The following list provides links to more information about the component location properties.

Property Description
OriginalDatabase
The installer sets this property to the launched-from database, the database on the source, or the cached database.
ParentOriginalDatabase
The installer sets this property for installations run by a Concurrent Installation action.
SourceDir
Root directory that contains the source files.
TARGETDIR
Specifies the root destination directory for the installation. During an administrative installation this property is the location to copy the installation package.

 

Configuration Properties

The following list provides links to more information about other configurable properties.

Property Description
ACTION
Initial action called after the installer is initialized.
ALLUSERS
Determines where configuration information is stored.
ARPAUTHORIZEDCDFPREFIX
URL of the update channel for an application.
ARPCOMMENTS
Provides Comments for the Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel.
ARPCONTACT
Provides Contact for the Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel.
ARPINSTALLLOCATION
Fully qualified path to the primary folder of an application.
ARPNOMODIFY
Disables functionality that modifies a product.
ARPNOREMOVE
Disables functionality that removes a product.
ARPNOREPAIR
Disables the Repair button in the Programs wizard.
ARPPRODUCTICON
Specifies the primary icon for the installation package.
ARPREADME
Provides a ReadMe for the Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel.
ARPSIZE
Estimated size of an application in kilobytes.
ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT
Prevents display of an application in the Add or Remove Programs list.
ARPURLINFOABOUT
URL for the home page of an application.
ARPURLUPDATEINFO
URL for application update information.
AVAILABLEFREEREG
Registry space (in kilobytes) that an application requires. Used by AllocateRegistrySpace action.
CCP_DRIVE
The root path for qualifying products for CCP.
DefaultUIFont
Default font style used for controls.
DISABLEADVTSHORTCUTS
Set to disable the generation the specific shortcuts that support installation-on-demand.
DISABLEMEDIA
Prevents the installer from registering media sources, such as a CD-ROMs, as valid sources for the product.
DISABLEROLLBACK
Disables rollback for the current configuration.
EXECUTEACTION
Top-level action that ExecuteAction initiates.
EXECUTEMODE
Mode of execution that the installer performs.
FASTOEM
Improves installation performance under specific OEM scenarios.
INSTALLLEVEL
Initial level where features are installed.
LIMITUI
UI level capped as Basic.
LOGACTION
List of action names to be logged.
MEDIAPACKAGEPATH
This property must be set to the relative path if the installation package is not located at the root of the CD-ROM.
MSIARPSETTINGSIDENTIFIER
This optional property contains a semi-colon delimited list of the registry locations where the application stores a user's settings and preferences. Available with Windows Installer 4.0.
MSIDISABLEEEUI
Disable the embedded user interface for the installation.
Windows Installer 4.0 and earlier: Not supported.
MSIFASTINSTALL
Reduce the time required to install a large Windows Installer package.
Windows Installer 4.5 and earlier: Not supported.
MSIINSTALLPERUSER
Requests that the Windows Installer install the package only for the current user.
Windows Installer 4.5 and earlier: Not supported.
MSINODISABLEMEDIA
Set this property to prevent the installer from setting the DISABLEMEDIA property.
MSIENFORCEUPGRADECOMPONENTRULES
Set this property to 1 (one) on the command line or in the Property Table to apply the upgrade component rules during small updates and minor upgrades of a specific product. Available beginning with Windows Installer 3.0.
MSIUNINSTALLSUPERSEDEDCOMPONENTS
When this property has been set to 1, the installer can unregister and uninstall redundant components to prevent leaving behind orphan components on the computer.
Windows Installer 4.0 and earlier: Not supported.
PRIMARYFOLDER
Allows the author to designate a primary folder for an installation. Used to determine the values for the PrimaryVolumePath, PrimaryVolumeSpaceAvailable, PrimaryVolumeSpaceRequired, and PrimaryVolumeSpaceRemaining properties.
Privileged
Runs an installation with elevated privileges.
PROMPTROLLBACKCOST
Action if there is insufficient disk space for the installation.
REBOOT
Forces or suppresses a restart.
REBOOTPROMPT
Suppresses the display of prompts for restarts to the user. Any restarts that are needed happen automatically.
ROOTDRIVE
Default drive for an installation.
SEQUENCE
A table that has the sequence table schema.
SHORTFILENAMES
Causes short file names to be used.
TRANSFORMS
List of transforms to be applied to a database.
TRANSFORMSATSOURCE
Informs the installer that the transforms for a product reside at the source.
TRANSFORMSSECURE
Setting the TRANSFORMSECURE property to 1 (one) informs the installer that transforms are to be cached locally on the user computer in a location where the user does not have write access.
MsiLogFileLocation
The installer sets the value of this property to the full path of the log file, when logging has been enabled. This property is available starting with Windows Installer 4.0.
MsiLogging
Sets the default logging mode for the Windows Installer package. This property is available starting with Windows Installer 4.0.
MSIUSEREALADMINDETECTION
Set this property to 1 to request that the installer use actual user information when setting the AdminUser property. This property is available starting with Windows Installer 4.0.

 

Date, Time Properties

The Date and Time properties are live properties that the installer sets when data is extracted.

Property Description
Date
The current date.
Time
The current time.

 

Feature Installation Options Properties

The following list provides links to more information about the feature installation options properties.

Property Description
ADDDEFAULT
List of features to be installed in the default configuration.
ADDLOCAL
List of features to be installed locally.
ADDSOURCE
List of features to be run from source.
ADVERTISE
List of features to be advertised.
COMPADDDEFAULT
List of components to be installed in the default configuration.
COMPADDLOCAL
List of component IDs to be installed locally.
COMPADDSOURCE
List of component IDs to run from source media.
FILEADDDEFAULT
List of file keys for files to be installed in the default configuration.
FILEADDLOCAL
List of file keys for files to be run locally.
FILEADDSOURCE
List of file keys to be run from the source media.
MSIDISABLELUAPATCHING
Setting this property prevents Least Privileged User (LUA) patching of an application.
MsiPatchRemovalList
List of patches to be removed during the installation.
MSIRESTARTMANAGERCONTROL
Specifies whether the package uses the Restart Manager or FilesInUse functionality.
MSIDISABLERMRESTART
Specifies how applications or services that are currently using files affected by an update should be shutdown and restarted to enable the installation of the update.
MSIRMSHUTDOWN
Specifies how applications or services that are currently using files affected by an update should be shutdown to enable the installation of the update.
MSIPATCHREMOVE
Setting this property removes patches.
PATCH
Setting this property applies a patch.
REINSTALL
List of features to be reinstalled.
REINSTALLMODE
A string that contains letters that specify the type of reinstall to perform.
REMOVE
List of features to be removed.

 

Hardware Properties

The following list identifies the hardware properties that the Windows Installer sets at startup.

Property Description
Alpha
The numeric processor level when running on an Alpha processor.
Note: This property is obsolete, the Alpha platform is not supported by Windows Installer.
BorderSide
The width of the window borders, in pixels.
BorderTop
The height of the window borders, in pixels.
CaptionHeight
The height of normal caption area, in pixels.
ColorBits
The number of adjacent color bits for each pixel.
Intel
The numeric processor level when running on an Intel processor.
Intel64
The numeric processor level when running on an Itanium processor.
Msix64
The numeric processor level when running on an x64 processor.
PhysicalMemory
The size of the installed RAM, in megabytes.
ScreenX
The width of the screen, in pixels.
ScreenY
The height of the screen, in pixels.
TextHeight
The height of characters, in logical units.
VirtualMemory
The amount of available page file space, in megabytes.

 

Installation Status Properties

The following list provides links to more information about status properties that are updated by the installer during installation.

Property Description
AFTERREBOOT
Indicates current installation follows a reboot that the ForceReboot action invokes.
CostingComplete
Indicates whether disk space costing is complete.
Installed
Indicates that a product is already installed.
MSICHECKCRCS
The Installer does a CRC on files only if the MSICHECKCRCS property is set.
MsiRestartManagerSessionKey
The Installer sets this property to the session key for the Restart Manager session.
MsiRunningElevated
The Installer sets the value of this property to 1 when the installer is running with elevated privileges.
MsiSystemRebootPending
The Installer sets this property to 1 if a restart of the operating system is currently pending.
MsiUIHideCancel
The Installer sets MsiUIHideCancel to 1 when the internal install level includes INSTALLUILEVEL_HIDECANCEL.
MsiUIProgressOnly
The Installer sets MsiUIProgressOnly to 1 when the internal install level includes INSTALLUILEVEL_PROGRESSONLY.
MsiUISourceResOnly
MsiUISourceResOnly to 1 (one) when the internal install level includes INSTALLUILEVEL_SOURCERESONLY.
NOCOMPANYNAME
Suppresses the automatic setting of the COMPANYNAME property.
NOUSERNAME
Suppresses the automatic setting of the USERNAME property.
OutOfDiskSpace
Insufficient disk space to accommodate the installation.
OutOfNoRbDiskSpace
Insufficient disk space with rollback turned off.
Preselected
Features are already selected.
PrimaryVolumePath
The Installer sets the value of this property to the path of the volume that the PRIMARYFOLDER property designates.
PrimaryVolumeSpaceAvailable
The Installer sets the value of this property to a string that represents the total number of bytes available on the volume that the PrimaryVolumePath property references.
PrimaryVolumeSpaceRemaining
The Installer sets the value of this property to a string that represents the total number of bytes remaining on the volume that the PrimaryVolumePath property references if all the currently selected features are installed.
PrimaryVolumeSpaceRequired
The Installer sets the value of this property to a string that represents the total number of bytes required by all currently selected features on the volume that the PrimaryVolumePath property references.
ProductLanguage
Numeric language identifier (LANGID) for the database. (REQUIRED)
ReplacedInUseFiles
Set if the installer installs over a file that is being held in use.
RESUME
Resumed installation.
RollbackDisabled
The installer sets this property when rollback is disabled.
UILevel
Indicates the user interface level.
UpdateStarted
Set when changes to the system have begun for this installation.
UPGRADINGPRODUCTCODE
Set by the installer when an upgrade removes an application.
VersionMsi
The installer sets this property to the version of Windows Installer that is run during the installation.

 

Operating System Properties

The following list provides links to more information about operating system properties that the Installer sets at startup.

Property Name Brief Description
AdminUser
Set on Windows 2000 if the user has administrator privileges.
ComputerName
Computer name of the current system.
MsiNetAssemblySupport
On systems that support common language runtime assemblies, the Installer sets the value of this property to the file version of fusion.dll. The Installer does not set this property if the operating system does not support common language runtime assemblies.
MsiNTProductType
Indicates the Windows product type.
MsiNTSuiteBackOffice
On Windows 2000 and later operating systems, the Installer sets this property to 1 (one) only if Microsoft BackOffice components are installed.
MsiNTSuiteDataCenter
On Windows 2000 and later operating systems, the Installer sets this property to 1 (one) only if Windows 2000 Datacenter Server is installed.
MsiNTSuiteEnterprise
On Windows 2000 and later operating systems, the Installer sets this property to 1 (one) only if Windows 2000 Advanced Server is installed.
MsiNTSuitePersonal
On Windows XP and later operating systems, the Installer sets this property to 1 (one) only if the operating system is Home (not Professional).
MsiNTSuiteSmallBusiness
On Windows 2000 and later operating systems, the Installer sets this property to 1 (one) only if Microsoft Small Business Server is installed.
MsiNTSuiteSmallBusinessRestricted
On Windows 2000 and later operating systems, the Installer sets this property to 1 (one) only if Microsoft Small Business Server is installed with the restrictive client license.
MsiNTSuiteWebServer
On Windows 2000 and later operating systems, the Installer sets the MsiNTSuiteWebServer property to 1 (one) if the web edition of the Windows Server 2003 is installed. Only available with the Windows Server 2003 release of the Windows Installer.
MsiTabletPC
The installer sets this property to a nonzero value if the current operating system is Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.
MsiWin32AssemblySupport
On systems that support Win32 assemblies, the Installer sets the value of this property to the file version of sxs.dll. The Installer does not set this property if the operating system does not support Win32 assemblies.
OLEAdvtSupport
Set if OLE supports the Windows Installer.
RedirectedDllSupport
The Installer sets the RedirectedDllSupport property if the system performing the installation supports Isolated Components.
RemoteAdminTS
The Installer sets the RemoteAdminTS property when the system is a remote administration server running the Terminal Server role service.
ServicePackLevel
The version number of the operating system service pack.
ServicePackLevelMinor
The minor version number of the operating system service pack.
SharedWindows
Set when the system is operating as Shared Windows.
ShellAdvtSupport
Set if the shell supports feature advertising.
SystemLanguageID
Default language identifier for the system.
TerminalServer
Set when the system is a server running the Terminal Server role service.
TTCSupport
Indicates if the operating system supports using .ttc (true type font collections) files.
Version9X
Version number for the Windows operating system.
VersionDatabase
Numeric database version of the current installation.
VersionNT
Version number for the operating system.
VersionNT64
Version number for the operating system if the system is running on a 64-bit computer.
Windows build
Build number of the operating system.

 

Product Information Properties

The following list provides links to more information about product-specific properties specified in the Property Table.

Property Name Brief Description
ARPHELPLINK
Internet address or URL for technical support.
ARPHELPTELEPHONE
Technical support phone numbers.
DiskPrompt
String displayed by a message box that prompts for a disk.
IsAdminPackage
Set to 1 (one) if the current installation is running from a package created through an administrative installation.
LeftUnit
Places units to the left of the number.
Manufacturer
Name of the application manufacturer. (Required)
MediaSourceDir
The installer sets this property to 1 (one) when the installation uses a media source, such as a CD-ROM.
MSIINSTANCEGUID
The presence of this property indicates that a product code changing transform is registered to the product.
MSINEWINSTANCE
This property indicates the installation of a new instance of a product with instance transforms.
ParentProductCode
The installer sets this property for installations that a Concurrent Installation action runs.
PIDTemplate
String used as a template for the PIDKEY property.
ProductCode
A unique identifier for a specific product release. (Required)
ProductName
Human readable name of an application. (Required)
ProductState
Set to the installed state of a product.
ProductVersion
String format of the product version as a numeric value. (Required)
UpgradeCode
A GUID that represents a related set of products.

 

Summary Information Update Properties

The following properties are only set by transforms in .msp files that are used to update the summary information stream of an administrative image.

Property Description
PATCHNEWPACKAGECODE
The value of this property is written to the Revision Number Summary Property.
PATCHNEWSUMMARYCOMMENTS
The value of this property is written to the Comments Summary Property.
PATCHNEWSUMMARYSUBJECT
The value of this property is written to the Subject Summary Property.

 

System Folder Properties

The following list provides links to more information about system folders that the installer sets at setup.

Property Description
AdminToolsFolder
The full path to the directory that contains administrative tools.
AppDataFolder
The full path to the Roaming folder for the current user.
CommonAppDataFolder
The full path to application data for all users.
CommonFiles64Folder
The full path to the predefined 64-bit Common Files folder.
CommonFilesFolder
The full path to the Common Files folder for the current user.
DesktopFolder
The full path to the Desktop folder.
FavoritesFolder
The full path to the Favorites folder for the current user.
FontsFolder
The full path to the Fonts folder.
LocalAppDataFolder
The full path to the folder that contains local (nonroaming) applications.
MyPicturesFolder
The full path to the Pictures folder.
NetHoodFolder
The full path to the NetHood folder.
PersonalFolder
The full path to the Documents folder for the current user.
PrintHoodFolder
The full path to the PrintHood folder.
ProgramFiles64Folder
The full path to the predefined 64-bit Program Files folder.
ProgramFilesFolder
The full path to the predefined 32-bit Program Files folder.
ProgramMenuFolder
The full path to the Program Menu folder.
RecentFolder
The full path to the Recent folder.
SendToFolder
The full path to the SendTo folder for the current user.
StartMenuFolder
The full path to the Start menu folder.
StartupFolder
The full path to the Startup folder.
System16Folder
The full path to folder for 16-bit system DLLs.
System64Folder
The full path to the predefined System64 folder.
SystemFolder
The full path to the System folder for the current user.
TempFolder
The full path to the Temp folder.
TemplateFolder
The full path to the Template folder for the current user.
WindowsFolder
The full path to the Windows folder.
WindowsVolume
The volume of the Windows folder.

 

User Information Properties

The following list provides links to more information about user-supplied information.

Property Description
AdminProperties
List of properties that are set during an administration installation.
COMPANYNAME
Organization name of the user who is performing the installation.
LogonUser
User name for the user who is currently logged on.
MsiHiddenProperties
List of properties that are prevented from being written into the log.
PIDKEY
Part of the Product ID that the user enters.
ProductID
Full Product ID after a successful validation.
UserLanguageID
Default language identifier of the current user.
USERNAME
User who is performing the installation.
UserSID property
Set by the installer according to the security identifier (SID) of the user.