How do I embed a File Version in an MSI file with Visual Studio?

Question

I have a setup project for my C# program, and this setup project has a Version in its properties. I'd like for the MSI file that is generated to have this Version embedded in it, so I can mouse over it in explorer and see what version the file is.

I'm using VS2008. How can I do this?

score 8 · Accepted Answer · edited Sep 27 '11 at 16:02

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If you simply add the "Version: 1.5.0" text into the Description property of the Setup Project, the version number also shows on the MSI file like so:

http://screencast.com/t/A499i6jS

edited Sep 27 '11 at 16:02

answered Sep 30 '08 at 02:20

Ron Savage

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Could not get the 'version' text as key, as shown in the video. When added to `description` it shows under the key `Subject` as a part of text along with 'version' text. Using: WIX v3.9 – Ujjwal Singh Oct 10 '15 at 23:36

Vivek · Answer 2 · 2008-09-30T00:49:39.670

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As far as I know MSI file will never show version. Simple reason is that MSI files are not PE files, they are sort-of database. Msiexec.exe then interprets this database to do the actual installation. The version property you mention is used by MSI engine internally for upgrades, uninstalls etc and is never displayed.

edited Sep 30 '08 at 00:49

answered Sep 30 '08 at 00:43

Vivek

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Looks like you're correct. Accepted until such time as someone proves you wrong :P – Blorgbeard Sep 30 '08 at 01:08
Yes, please keep us informed about your findings, if any. I ran into same issue last year :) – Vivek Sep 30 '08 at 01:15

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 30 '08 at 00:43

That's a good question but I don't know any setup tool that could do that. Moreover I never encountered an MSI file with file version resource embedded in it, so it's not a common practice. Usually if I want to find out version of an MSI file I have to open it in Orca and check ProductVersion property there (in Property table).

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 19 '11 at 15:52

Open up the associated .vdproj file in a text editor. Look for the "Product" section, then modify the "ProductVersion", and the "Manufacturer" fields.

 "Product"
    {
    "Name" = "8:Microsoft Visual Studio"
    "ProductName" = "8:tidAxCleanupScript"
    "ProductCode" = "8:{0949AAAD-2C29-415E-851C-825C74C9CA81}"
    "PackageCode" = "8:{8F012EF1-D5D0-43DC-BBFD-761A639DDB07}"
    "UpgradeCode" = "8:{38DE1949-0782-4EF3-BDC2-080EB5B73EF8}"
    "RestartWWWService" = "11:FALSE"
    "RemovePreviousVersions" = "11:TRUE"
    "DetectNewerInstalledVersion" = "11:TRUE"
    "InstallAllUsers" = "11:FALSE"
    "ProductVersion" = "8:**1.5.0**"
    "Manufacturer" = "8:**Default Company Name**"
    "ARPHELPTELEPHONE" = "8:"

score 0 · Answer 5 · edited Feb 10 '10 at 09:49

0

I might be wrong, but doesn't the msi version follow the version in the AssemblyInfo file of your startup project?

edited Feb 10 '10 at 09:49

Peter Mortensen

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answered Sep 30 '08 at 00:19

RWendi

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Nope. Not by default, anyway. I don't see an option to make it that either. – Blorgbeard Sep 30 '08 at 00:24

How do I embed a File Version in an MSI file with Visual Studio?

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