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Transforms

Transforms are files (typically with a .mst extension) that are used to alter the contents of an installation package before it is run, usually to change the language although it is not limitied to this. The transform logic is provided by Windows Installer, but MSIStudio can be used to create the transform files. Selecting Create Transform from the Tools menu will bring up the Create Transform dialog.

Transform files are much smaller than a setup package and contain only the differences required to change a setup package from a base version to a target version. In the case of a language transform, this will contain only the translated strings and none of the actual data files that go into the installation.

The simplest way to create a transform is to have 2 separate .msi setup packages, one being a baseline and another being the package we intend to install when the transform is applied. Specify both packages in the Create Transform dialog and specify the output transform file name. MSIStudio will then examine both install packages and create a transform file containing the differences between the packages. Now only the original package and the transform need to be deployed in order for the target package to be installed.

There are a number of consistency checks that can be carried out when creating the transform to ensure that the install packages are compatible. In addition, various error conditions can be suppressed although this is advanced usage.

There is no specific transform validation suite so after creating the transform it is recommended to fully test the install package with the transform applied. This can be achieved by passing the transform file on the command line when installing the baseline package and verifying that it matches the target package.

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