I'm trying to extract the.msi file from the current version of reader, I have followed the instructions on how to extract.msi file from the Adobe Reader DC.exe version. And Administration Basics — Enterprise Administration Guide and how to extract.msi file from the Adobe Reader DC.exe version. AndHow to download Reader DC 2017.009.20044 MSI? If you don't see the EXE or you see some likely 'MSIEXEC.EXE' command lines (check all such processes) then the product is MSI based (and the full location and name of the MSI will be visible in the command line). Make a copy of this MSI file (probably in a 'temp' directory) and any obviously related files then cancel the install. Do you have an executable (EXE) installation file which you want to convert to MSI format? EXE To MSI Converter is a free tool from QwertyLab that does the job quickly. Unlike other complicated programs, this one is really easy-to-use. Just load the Setup Executable, enter the correct arguments, and hit Build MSI. I've moved this thread to the appropriate forum. As andykn101 points out; hopefully the exe is a wrapper which executes an embedded MSI which you could use or you need to capture the exe-installation into an MSI, there is no easy way to just convert the exe to an MSI. RE: how convert a file.exe to.msi.
Convert EXE to MSI using a free utility Alternatively, you may use one of the free MSI converters, such as MSI Wrapper. MSI Wrapper allows to easily convert any.exe file into an MSI package, and also delivers premium features for software developers as part of its Pro offering. Did you find this article helpful? Assuming you have already tried to find an extracted MSI in the Local Temp files directory. Using a Re-packager is your next avenue. I have mixed results with using Re-packagers to create MSI's for SCCM and often use a re-packager as a last resort before creating a package in SCCM to deploy the application using the existing setup.exe. Depending in what program it is you can actually get the MSI from executables by running it a couple of steps into the install, but not letting the application go fully into the install process, then going to appdata local temp - the install will create a folder which usually contains the extracted msi.
Sometimes you just need it in MSI format. This tool does it for you and it's free.
3 Steps total
Step 1: Download and install Exe-To-Msi
http://www.symantec.com/connect/sites/default/files/exe-to-msi.zip
Step 2: Extract and execute
Extract the file and run.
Step 3: Select Exe to convert
a. Select the ... next to the 'Source' field and locate the exe you want to convert to an msi.
b. Select the ... next to the 'Target' field and select where you want the msi to be created.
Converting Exe To Msi Files File
c. Press Run.
7 Comments
Converting Exe To Msi Files Download
- SerranoBrandF Nov 3, 2011 at 04:21pm
This should be shared here:
http://community.spiceworks.com/links
Unless you want to add instructions on how to use it. That'd be good too! - SerranoJayse Nov 3, 2011 at 04:30pm
Thanks BrandF. I haven't shared any tools before so that makes sense. I'm going to add how to use it so it fits better here. It's a standalone exe so it's pretty simple to use. :)
- JalapenoDavid9467 Nov 4, 2011 at 08:25am
Could you share something about how this works? Does it work similar to AppDeploy Repackager, which takes a snapshot of the system before and after running the exe and then creates an MSI based on the changes?
- PimientoCHARLES.PERVAIS Nov 4, 2011 at 10:24am
I would suggest to everyone that running the executable with the '/?' argument from a commandline might better suit your needs that to just repackage an executable.
Most executables are MSIs with arguments and related files wrapped to an EXE. In my experience, and it depends on the initial brand of packager, just executing the EXE from commandline with '/extract' argument will unwrap the MSI and drop it in the working directory.
I believe I will have to expand on this further with a How-To of my own, containing the most popular brands of packagers with a compilation of arguments for network installations, answer files, license keys, etcetera that I will link later when I actually get there.
There are times when conversion is necessary, and this is a great simple tool that Thunderhead created for Symantec. Thanks for the post :-) - PimientoChrisJohns Jun 13, 2012 at 05:39am
This tools simply extracts the MSI from an EXE. It doesn't work if the EXE doesn't use an MSI internally.
In the end I used Advanced Installer for my conversions: http://www.advancedinstaller.com/user-guide/tutorial-convert-exe-to-msi.html
It supported any type of EXE package, including simple self-executable archives.
- PimientoChris868255 Mar 7, 2013 at 07:33pm
If you start an EXE and go to Start > Run, type in %TEMP% then you will see if that particular exe has an MSI and/or MST associated with it. We always used these for repackaging projects.
- PimientoMarcus Kronnenberg Mar 15, 2013 at 12:54pm
Yes, this tool extracts MSI(s) from an EXE file. It's easy to emulate its behavior as Chris868255 suggested. If the included MSIs are executed with specific parameters or an EXE doesn't include MSIs, repackaging should be used to get an MSI package.
In this case I would recommend EMCO MSI Package Builder: http://emcosoftware.com/msi-package-builder/convert-exe-to-msi. We use it succesfully for our repackaging projects. You can see how repacking works here: http://emcosoftware.com/msi-package-builder/video-tour.