Log File Anaylsis

Windows Installer log files can be viewed and analysed from within MSIStudio. Log files are displayed in a number of informative, easy to read reports. This allows the setup developer to quickly analyze an MSI log file and determine what actually happened during the installion process. If an installation failed or performed some unexpected action, the log file is the first place to look to find the cause of the problem. Windows Installer will generate a lot of diagnostic information that is included in the file.

Raw View
The Raw view is the actual content of the log file without any processing. This is useful if you want to see what the actual output of msiexec is.

Analyzed View
The Analyzed view displayes the log files contents highlighted in an easy to view format. The highlighting allows the user to quickly scan through the logfile and ascertain how it performed. Each line is colored depending on what type of line it is, eg. setting a policy value or a property.

Detailed View
The Detailed view lists information and statistics about the MSI install. The information includes a list of all the properties that were set on the client and server, Policies, Action details and general information about the MSI.

Summary View
The Summary view displays a list of the general properties of an MSI install eg Product Name, MSI version, install directory etc. Also listed are any features and components. This view would be used when the user just wants a view of the basic components of the MSI.