Is there a free tool to modify InstallShield ism files?

installshield
mark picture mark · Dec 11, 2010 · Viewed 16.7k times · Source

We have two install shield licenses - one for the developer of the installer and the other - for the CI server.

There is often a situation when another developer moves a project DLL to another location, thus breaking the installer.

I was wondering if there was a free tool, which would allow one to make small modifications to the ISM files. I am talking about small changes only, like fixing the DLL path or removing the DLL entirely. It is not my intention to "cheat" the license.

Thanks.

Answer

epotter picture epotter · Dec 28, 2010

If you go to the properties of the project, you can choose to store the ism file in an XML format. (It sounds like your project is already configured this way.) If this is the case, the structure of the XML file is easy enough to figure out.

Using any text or XML editor, you would then be able to update the path to the DLL.

I wouldn't suggest it for making large changes, but for small changes it shouldn't be a problem.

Just search for the name of the DLL. It will be in a XML tag. The source path that you need to change should be an attribute on that tag.

I've done this with both InstallScript and InstallScript MSI projects. If you are using a pure MSI project, your millage may vary.

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