When I create a new setup project it tells me that the GUID syntax is is not correct

Question

I just installed WIX 3.11 in VS Community 2017 and when I created a new installation project I got a message saying that the syntax of the GUID is not correct. I do not know where I should supply this.

Answer 1

Short Answer: Use UPPERCASE GUIDs like this: {F77F1880-CBDE-42CD-A45E-9D9C990BC3C2} - for attributes that require a valid GUID. They include several things such as Product Code, Upgrade Code, Package Code (auto-generated) and Component GUIDs. Use the Create GUID tool to make GUIDS. In the Visual Studio menus: Tools => Create GUID. See screenshot below.

Notes:

• The braces at each end of the GUID: { and } are optional.
• WiX will handle lowercase GUIDs as well, but MSI will not (the finished MSI must have UPPERCASE GUIDs). Just use UPPERCASE GUIDs and you are done.
• You can use a * for some attributes to auto-generate a GUID at compile time. For example the product code.
• For component GUIDs you can leave out the whole attribute.

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Quick Start: Step-by-step description of how to compile a "WiX Hello World-style MSI". The inline comments in the actual markup at the bottom is probably enough to get you going. And a similar Hello World sample from CodeProject.com.

General Tips: And here are some: WiX Quick-Start Tips. Particularly the Sample WiX Code towards the bottom might be helpful.

WiX Help File: The WiX help file has a piece on this: How To: Generate a GUID.

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GUID: A GUID is a globally unique identifier for example this one: {273323D2-5845-4517-8131-5458A065F06E}. I guess that is clear? If not please read the link. It is a 128-bit number expressed in various flavors.

• There are many flavors of GUIDs, and the ones you can use in WiX are easily created using the Create GUID tool included with Visual Studio (In the menus: Tools => Create GUID - see screen shot below).
• Alternatively you can use a web site for the purpose such as Online GUID Generator.

The Create GUID Tool