I have a peculiar wish to install an msi twice on a machine.
The purpose of the double install is to first install under the pre-production folder, run the deployment in a safe environment prior to deploying in the production folder.
We typically use separate machines to represent these different environments however in this case I need to use the same box.
The two scenarios I get are as follows:
- I've installed pre-production, I'm happy, I want to install production, I run the msi, it asks whether I want to repair or remove the installation
- I've production installed, I want to install the new version of the msi, it tells me I already have a version of the product installed and I must first un-install the current version
The first scenario isn't too bad as we can at that point sensibly un-install and re-install under the production folder, but the second scenario is a pain as we don't want to un-install the live production deployment.
Is there a setting I can give to msiexec that will allow this?
Is there a more suitable different approach I could use?
Best Answer
Have a look at what Scott Willeke's Less Msiérables (LessMSI) can do for you ...
http://lessmsi.activescott.com/
Use it to extract and change guids and/or contents of MSI, repackage and execute your 'install twice' need.