Microsoft KB Archive/326343

= HOW TO: Use the Installation Command-Line Utilities in the Windows Server 2003 Environment =

PSS ID Number: 326343

Article Last Modified on 12/18/2003

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q326343



IN THIS TASK

 * SUMMARY
 * ** How to Install a Transform by Using the Command Line
 * How to Install and Advertise a Product Using a Transform with the Command Line
 * How to Install a Package by Using the Command Line
 * How to Remove a Package by Using the Command Line
 * How to Repair a Package by Using the Command Line
 * How to Advertise a Package by Using the Command Line
 * How to Create an Administrative Installation Package by Using the Command Line
 * How to Create an Installation Log File by Using the Command Line
 * Understanding Transforms



SUMMARY
This article describes how to use the installation utilities in the Windows Server 2003 environment. To perform these tasks, you must be a member of the Administrators group on a server that is running Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition.

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How to Install a Transform by Using the Command Line
 Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt. At the command prompt, type the following command:

msiexec /i transforms=

This command uses the following parameters:  /i: Installs a product.  : Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package file (.msi). transforms= : Specifies the transform (.mst) files that are applied to the package. This list is a list of paths that are separated by semicolons .

NOTE: Windows Installer command-line parameters are not case-sensitive.</ol>

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How to Install and Advertise a Product Using a Transform with the Command Line
<ol> Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.</li> At the command prompt, type the following command:

msiexec package /j{u|m} /t

This command uses the following parameters:   : Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package file.</li> /j: Advertises a product. This command-line parameter ignores any property values that are entered on the command line.</li> u: Advertises to the current user.</li> m: Advertises to all users of this computer.</li> /t : Applies a transform to an advertised package and specifies the transform (.mst) files that are applied to the package. This list is a list of paths that are separated by semicolons.</li></ul>

NOTE: Windows Installer command-line parameters are not case-sensitive.</li></ol>

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How to Install a Package by Using the Command Line
<ol> Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.</li> At the command prompt, type the following command:

msiexec /i { | }

This command uses the following parameters:   : Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package file.</li>  : Specifies the globally unique identifier (GUID) of the Windows Installer package.</li></ul>

NOTE: Windows Installer command-line parameters are not case-sensitive.</li></ol>

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How to Remove a Package by Using the Command Line
<ol> Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.</li> At the command prompt, type the following command:

msiexec /x { | }

This command uses the following parameters:  <li> : Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package file.</li> <li> : Specifies the GUID of the Windows Installer package.</li></ul>

NOTE: Windows Installer command-line parameters are not case-sensitive.</li></ol>

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How to Repair a Package by Using the Command Line
<ol> <li>Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.</li> <li>At the command prompt, type the following command:

msiexec /f[p][o][e][d][c][a][u][m][s][v] { | }

This command uses the following parameters: <ul> <li>/fp: Reinstalls only if the file is missing.</li> <li>/fo: Reinstalls if the file is missing or if an older version is installed.</li> <li>/fe: Reinstalls if the file is missing or if an equal or older version is installed.</li> <li>/fd: Reinstalls if the file is missing or if a different version is installed.</li> <li>/fc: Reinstalls if the file is missing or if the stored checksum does not match the calculated value.</li> <li>/fa: Forces all of the files to be reinstalled.</li> <li>/fu: Rewrites all of the required user-specific registry entries.</li> <li>/fm: Rewrites all of the required computer-specific registry entries.</li> <li>/fs: Overwrites all of the existing shortcuts.</li> <li>/fv: Runs from source and reaches the local package.</li> <li> : Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package file.</li> <li> : Specifies the GUID of the Windows Installer package.</li></ul>

NOTE: Windows Installer command-line parameters are not case-sensitive. The default parameter for this command is /fpecms.</li></ol>

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How to Advertise a Package by Using the Command Line
<ol> <li>Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.</li> <li>At the command prompt, type the following command:

msiexec /j{u|m}  /t   /g

This command uses the following parameters: <ul> <li>/j: Advertises a product. This parameter ignores any property values that are entered on the command line.</li> <li>u: Advertises to the current user.</li> <li>m: Advertises to all users of this computer.</li> <li> : Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package file.</li> <li>g: Specifies the language identifier.</li> <li>t: Applies the transform to an advertised package.</li></ul>

NOTE: If you want to install the program with elevated privileges, use the /jm parameter. Windows Installer command-line parameters are not case-sensitive.</li></ol>

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How to Create an Administrative Installation Package by Using the Command Line
<ol> <li>Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.</li> <li>At the command prompt, type msiexec /a.

This command uses the following parameter: <ul> <li> : Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package file.</li></ul>

NOTE: Windows Installer command-line parameters are not case-sensitive.</li></ol>

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How to Create an Installation Log File by Using the Command Line
<ol> <li>Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.</li> <li>At the command prompt, type the following command:

msiexec /i  [/l][i][w][e][a][r][u][c][m][p][v][+][!]  .txt]

This command uses the following parameters: <ul> <li> : Specifies the name of the Windows Installer package.</li> <li>/l: Indicates to log information.</li> <li>/li: Logs status messages.</li> <li>/lw: Logs nonfatal warnings.</li> <li>/le: Logs all error messages.</li> <li>/la: Logs start up of actions.</li> <li>/lr: Logs action-specific records.</li> <li>/lu: Logs user requests.</li> <li>/lc: Logs initial user interface parameters.</li> <li>/lm: Logs Out-of-memory states.</li> <li>/lp: Logs Terminal properties.</li> <li>/lv: Specifies verbose output.</li> <li>/l+: Appends log to the existing file.</li> <li>/l! : Flushes each line to the log.</li> <li>/l*: This parameter uses the wildcard character (*). Use this parameter to log all information except for the v command-line parameter.</li> <li>/l .txt: Specifies the name and path of the text log file.</li></ul>

NOTE: Windows Installer command-line parameters are not case-sensitive. To include the v parameter in a log file by using the wildcard flag, type /l*v at the command prompt. You can also use the Windows Installer log file parameters with the uninstall and repair processes.</li></ol>

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Understanding Transforms
You can modify the installation process by applying transforms (.mst) to the installation database. A transform makes changes to elements of the database. For example, Windows Installer can use a transform file to change the language in the user interface of a program. The Windows Installer transform files modify the installation package file at installation time and can dynamically affect the installation behavior.

If you are using Group Policy Software Installation, note that a transform is applied at the time of assignment or publication and at the time of installation. As a result, you can view the Modifications tab of the package properties to make sure that it is set up the way you want it to be before you click OK. If you do not do so, and you deploy an incorrectly transformed package, you either have to remove the software and redeploy it or upgrade the software with a correctly transformed version.

Customization transforms, that are like patches, remain cached on the computer. These transforms are applied to the base package file whenever Windows Installer has to perform a configuration change to the installation package. Transforms are applied only at initial installation; they cannot be applied to an already installed program. Copies of transform files are saved in a secure location on the local computer.

Transform files consist of instructions to modify or customize a program during installation. By default, Windows Installer stores transform files in the Application Data folder in the user's profile. When you reinstall, remove, or repair an installation, the transform file is available, even if you are on a different computer or if you are not connected to the network.

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