Repackaging Commands
MSI Package Builder enables you to convert an existing installation into an MSI, App-V, or MSIX/AppX package. When you execute the repackaging command, the software initiates the targeted installation on your local machine and starts monitoring. You should complete the installation steps as usual, while the program records the changes. Finally, it generates a package in the chosen format, incorporating your specified configuration parameters.
MSI Packaging
To repackage an installation into an MSI package you can run the following command:
PackageBuilderCMD.exe -repackage-msi <application-path> [-x <application-params>] <package-path> [-r <project-path>] [-s] [-m <manufacturer>] [-n <product-name>] [-l <language-id>] [-v <version>] [-p <x86|x64>] [-g <guid>] [-u <guid>]
Parameter |
Optional |
Description |
|---|---|---|
application-path |
No |
The path to the installation to be monitored (*.exe, *.bat, *.cmd, *.msi, *.msp file types are supported). |
package-path |
No |
The path to the MSI package output file. |
-x <application-params> |
Yes |
Command-line parameters of the installation. |
-r <project-path> |
Yes |
Path to the project to be created, including the project name. |
-s |
Yes |
Run command in Windows Sandbox. |
-m <manufacturer> |
Yes |
Set the manufacturer for the generated MSI package. |
-n <product-name> |
Yes |
Set the product name for the generated MSI package. |
-l <language-id> |
Yes |
Set the MSI package language. |
-v <version> |
Yes |
Set the MSI package version. |
-p <x86|x64> |
Yes |
Set the MSI package platform. |
-g <guid> |
Yes |
Set the product GUID for the generated MSI package. |
-u <guid> |
Yes |
Enable an upgrade for the generated MSI package with the specified GUID. |
Example:
PackageBuilderCMD.exe -repackage-msi c:\Downloads\AdobeReaderInstaller.exe c:\Packages\AdobeReader.msi
When performing repackaging, you must specify only the path to the repackaged installation and the path for the generated package; other parameters are optional. Repackaging is performed by default on the local machine, therefore, ensure your repackaging environment follows the repackaging best practices. Use a clean VM for repackaging, where MSI Package Builder is installed only. If you prefer repackaging in Windows Sandbox, specify the corresponding command-line option.
Other configuration parameters are the same as specified during in the GUI in the Project Details view, so you can enter them for the product name, manufacturer, package language, version, and platform. For packages designed to upgrade, set the necessary product GUID and upgrade GUID.
App-V Packaging
To repackage an installation into an App-V package you can run the following command:
PackageBuilderCMD.exe –repackage-appv <application-path> [-x <application-params>] <package-path> [-r <project-path>] [-s] [-m <manufacturer>] [-n <product-name>] [-l <language-id>] [-v <version>] [-p <x86|x64>] [-g <guid>]
Parameter |
Optional |
Description |
|---|---|---|
application-path |
No |
The path to the installation to be monitored (*.exe, *.bat, *.cmd, *.msi, *.msp file types are supported). |
package-path |
No |
The path to the App-V package output file. |
-x <application-params> |
Yes |
Command-line parameters of the installation. |
-r <project-path> |
Yes |
Path to the project to be created, including the project name. |
-s |
Yes |
Run command in Windows Sandbox. |
-m <manufacturer> |
Yes |
Set the manufacturer for the generated App-V package. |
-n <product-name> |
Yes |
Set the product name for the generated App-V package. |
-l <language-id> |
Yes |
Set the App-V package language. |
-v <version> |
Yes |
Set the App-V package version. |
-p <x86|x64> |
Yes |
Set the App-V package platform. |
-g <guid> |
Yes |
Set the product GUID for the generated App-V package. |
Example:
PackageBuilderCMD.exe -repackage-appv c:\Downloads\AdobeReaderInstaller.exe c:\Packages\AdobeReader.appv
The command-line parameters used for App-V generation closely mirror those for generating MSI packages, as detailed in the previous section.
MSIX/AppX Packaging
To repackage an installation into an MSIX/AppX package you can run the following command:
PackageBuilderCMD.exe -repackage-appx <application-path> [-x <application-params>] <package-path> [-r <project-path>] [-s] [-m <manufacturer>] [-n <product-name>] [-l <language-id>] [-v <version>] [-p <x86|x64>] [-a <package-name>] [-u <publisher>] [-d <package-description>]
Parameter |
Optional |
Description |
|---|---|---|
application-path |
No |
The path to the installation to be monitored (*.exe, *.bat, *.cmd, *.msi, *.msp file types are supported). |
package-path |
No |
The path to the MSI package output file. |
-x <application-params> |
Yes |
Command-line parameters of the installation. |
-r <project-path> |
Yes |
Path to the project to be created, including the project name. |
-s |
Yes |
Run command in Windows Sandbox. |
-m <manufacturer> |
Yes |
Set the manufacturer for the generated MSIX/AppX package. |
-n <product-name> |
Yes |
Set the product name for the generated MSIX/AppX package. |
-l <language-id> |
Yes |
Set the MSIX/AppX package language. |
-v <version> |
Yes |
Set the MSI/AppX package version. |
-p <x86|x64> |
Yes |
Set the MSI/AppX package platform. |
-a <package-name> |
Yes |
The package name. |
-u <publisher> |
|
The name of the package publisher (in the Relative Distinguished Name (RDN) format). |
-d <package-description> |
|
The package description. |
Example:
PackageBuilderCMD.exe -repackage-appx c:\Downloads\AdobeReaderInstaller.exe c:\Packages\AdobeReader.msix
The command-line parameters used for MSIX/AppX generation closely mirror those for generating MSI packages, as detailed in the previous section. You can also specify MSIX/AppX-specific properties, including the package name, publisher, and description.