Windows Installer 4.5 and 5.0 – FAQ
Hello Friends,
Windows Installer is a engine that let you install programs and set up services in Windows systems, using *.msi files and its derivations (For example, *.msu files let you install HotFix). Nowadays, thanks to its great advantages, almost every software that can be installed in Windows use this engine in their setup wizards. For example, CorelDraw X4 and Photoshop CS4 use Windows Installer in their wizards.
The two most recent versions of Windows Installer are 4.5 and 5.0. Since 2008, Microsoft provides version 4.5 of Windows Installer for download, while version 5.0 comes in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
Since this topic always generates questions, below is a little FAQ about Windows Installer.
Which version of Windows Installer is supported by my Windows?
Windows Installer comes within SP2 (Service Pack 2) of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. However, you can also download a standalone installer from Microsoft’s website and install it on Windows XP SP2 or above, Windows Server 2003 SP1 or above, Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008. Windows Installer 5.0 comes only in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
Is it possible to install Windows Installer 5.0 on Windows XP?
No. Only Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 supports version 5.0 of Windows Installer.
How can I know what version of Windows Installer do I have?
Type “msiexec /?” at the Command Prompt, in the Run box (Windows XP, Windows Server 2003), or in the search field of the Start menu (Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2).
Is Windows Installer updated automatically by Windows/Microsoft Update?
No. Except in case where the SP2 of Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 is being installed, Windows Installer 4.5 is not updated automatically by Windows/Microsoft Update. Users must download the updater according to their version and language of Windows.
There are programs that require the most recent versions of Windows Installer?
Yes, and there are many of them. For example, SQL Server 2008 Express Edition and some standalone components of SQL Server 2008, such as Books Online, require at least version 4.5 of Windows Installer.
For users with previous versions of Windows, the installer of Windows Installer 4.5 is available at the link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en-us&FamilyID=5a58b56f-60b6-4412-95b9-54d056d6f9f4.
Attention: the link above redirects to a page with many files for download. Read the Instructions topic and download the installer according to the version of your OS.
Regards!
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Herleson,
great to see your blog. Wondering if I can interest you in some information about active-active clustering and migration of SQL databases?
http://www.sanbolic.com/Active-Active_Clustering_for_SQL_Server1.htm
please email me if i can send you more information or set up a demo!
thank you,
eva
Hello Eva,
First of all, thanks for your visit. Sure we’ll keep in touch about your SQL Server solutions. I’ll send an e-mail later.
Thanks!
Is it possible to use Windows installer 4.5 on Windows Server 2008 R2 with no issues? The reason is because currently the Windows installer on the machine running Server 2008 R2 is in a bad state. Any suggestions on how to fix this would be helpful. Thanks!
Hello Joe,
As far as I know the Windows Installer in Win2008R2 works great. Also, you can’t install previous versions of Installer on Windows 2008 R2.
Is your machine updated with Windows Update service?
Regards!