Installshield Product Code Guide

Last updated: October 2023. This guide applies to InstallShield 2020 and later.

When a user requests an uninstallation, Windows searches for the specific Product Code. If the code is missing or corrupted, the system cannot locate the installation database, leaving behind orphaned registry keys and files. 2. Prevents Software Collisions

Do you need to the feature (e.g., only install on specific Windows versions)?

PowerShell offers the quickest way to query the Windows Installer database for installed products and their associated codes. powershell installshield product code

In legacy InstallScript projects (non-MSI), the Product Code serves a similar function but is managed differently via the Windows registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall . It still uniquely identifies the application, but you lose some MSI-specific upgrade features.

: Choose if the feature can run from the CD or must be installed locally. 4. Associate Components Expand your new feature in the tree. Right-click Component Connections .

: For specific requirements, you might need to manually configure or change the product code. This can be done through the InstallShield interface or by directly editing the project files. Last updated: October 2023

Windows Installer uses this code to identify if the application is already installed on a target machine.

| Update Type | Package Code | Product Version | Product Code | Upgrade Code | |-------------|--------------|-----------------|--------------|---------------| | | Change | (Unchanged) | (Unchanged) | (Unchanged) | | Minor Upgrade | Change | Change | (Unchanged) | (Unchanged) | | Major Upgrade | Change | Change | Change | (Unchanged) |

Increase the product version and change the Product Code to configure a Major Upgrade. Alternatively, manually uninstall the existing version via the Windows Control Panel before running the new installer. 2. Orphaned Applications After Major Upgrade If the code is missing or corrupted, the

The second install will fail with a message that the product is already installed, or it will trigger a self-repair. Fix: If you need multiple builds (e.g., Developer vs. Production), you must either use different Product Codes or use instance transforms (MSI).

The Product Code is one of several GUIDs used in an installation. It's crucial to understand the differences between these codes, as they serve distinct purposes.