How to create a log file for a WiX Installer

fileinstallationloggingwix

How do I create a log file for a WiX Installer?

I need to create a log file during installation of my installer created in WiX. Currently I only know the commandline option to run the MSI file and generate a log file.

But I need to create a log file by running only the MSI file normally (not in commandline), and log each process happening during installation.

Best Answer

If you're sure the machine on which your package will be installed will have MSI Installer 4.0 then you can set the MsiLogging property to your required logging options. See MsiLogging property.

Which will automatically dump a file in your $TEMP folder.

It's not ideal, but it works.

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__file__

as others have said. You may also want to use os.path.realpath to eliminate symlinks:

import os

os.path.realpath(__file__)

How to create an event log source using WiX

Wix has out-of-the-box support for creating event log sources.

Assuming you use Wix 3, you first need to add a reference to WixUtilExtension to either your Votive project or the command line. You can then add an EventSource element under a component :

<Wix xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/wix/2006/wi"
    xmlns:util="http://schemas.microsoft.com/wix/UtilExtension">

    <Component ...>
        ...
        <util:EventSource Log="Application" Name="*source name*"
           EventMessageFile="*path to message file*"/>
        ...
    </Component>

If this is a .NET project, you can use EventLogMessages.dll in the framework directory as the message file.

Best Answer

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