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Orca - MSI File Editor

I have used the ORCA MSI File Editor a few times to remove stupid restrictions from MSI files.

It is a pain to get as it is part of the Platform SDK - which is over 250MB whereas ORCA is about 1.6 MB

I found that you can download it from this URL http://astebner.sts.winisp.net/Tools/Orca.zip 

Orca.exe is a database table editor for creating and editing Windows Installer packages and merge modules. The tool provides a graphical interface for validation, highlighting the particular entries where validation errors or warnings occur.

 

Note: If you are wanting to remove restrictions on a setup program from installing check the Launch Condition item as shown in the above image, as this is usally where all the checks are made.

This tool is only available in the Windows SDK Components for Windows Installer Developers or from the URL above

It is provided as an Orca.msi file. After installing the Windows SDK Components for Windows Installer Developers, double click Orca.msi to install the Orca.exe file.

Syntax

orca [<options>][<source file>]

Command Line Options

 

Orca.exe uses the following case-insensitive command line options. A slash delimiter may also be used in place of a dash.

Option Description
-q Quiet mode
-s <database> Schema database ["orca.dat" - default]
-? Help dialog

Orca.exe uses the following case-insensitive command line options with merge modules. A slash delimiter may also be used in place of a dash. When performing a merge the -f, -m and <sourcefile> are all required.

Option Description
-c Commit merge to database if no errors.
-! Commit merge to a database even if there are errors.
-m <module> Merge Module to merge into database.
-f Feature[:Feature2] Feature(s) to connect to Merge Module.
-r <directory id> Directory entry for the module root redirection.
-x <directory> Extract files to an image under the directory.
-g <language> Language used to open a module.
-l <log file> File to use as a log, append if it already exists.
-i <directory> Extract files to the source image under the directory.
-cab <filename> Extract the MSM cabinet to file.
-lfn Use Long File Names during the extraction.
-configure <filename> Configure the module using data from a file.

See Also

For more details about it see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255905

 

Print | posted on Monday, June 25, 2007 12:17 PM |

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# re: Orca - MSI File Editor

Hi,

I read this blog. I am also using Orca MSI Editor to customize a MSI file. I want to avoid/bypass a dialog. For example, when I launch the msi file, it throws a license agreement dialog. I want to set the default value to 'Yes', so that next time I launch this msi, this license agreement dialog will not appear.
If you have tried this already, can you please tell me how to do it..?

Your help will speed up my work a lot.

Thanks 'n' regards,
Uma Shankar
5/7/2008 6:47 PM | Uma Shankar
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# re: Orca - MSI File Editor

Uma,

Load your msi in Orca - click Transform - New Transform

Go to the Property table and look for a property named "AgreeToLicense" or something similar. Change the value from "no" to "yes". Doing this will change the default value - it will not make the dialog go away.

Click Transform - Generate Transform

Now utilize the generated mst with your msi and as long as you found the correct property the EULA will be accepted.

You can execute the msi with a /quite or /qb /qn switch - depending on what (if anything) you do want to be displayed.

shortcut example:
msiexec.exe TRANSFORMS="pathtomst\transformname.mst" /i "pathtomsi\msiname.msi" /quiet
9/3/2008 4:11 AM | TedN
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# re: Orca - MSI File Editor

I am having an ORCA .msi Editor. After I pass the License Aggreement, I am asked my Username, Organization and Serial Number. I want to remove this serial Number property completely. So, that there is no need for Validation. How can I do it?
9/13/2008 10:37 AM | Dhananjay
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# re: Orca - MSI File Editor

Dear All,

How can i change the virtual directory path using orca in ASP.net msi deploymant

Regards,
Kannan.S
9/29/2008 5:26 PM | Kannan
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# re: Orca - MSI File Editor

How can I make a MSI that extract file(s) and after this run's a file with some parameters?

Do I need a script for this, what or how do I make this?
thx
greetz
1/3/2009 3:34 AM | JeePee
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# re: Orca - MSI File Editor

Hi,

I want to change the bitmap, color (in short customize) the dialog boxes that appear in the msi.
The one that I get using default are of grey in color. How do I modify that.

Regards
Hema
5/27/2009 5:01 PM | Hema
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# re: Orca - MSI File Editor

Hi Chris,

Orca is indeed a helpful tool. It can certainly be used to tweak numerous aspects of MSIs. In my previous job, we used it to add license validation to our MSIs.

By the way, came across a very precise article on How to Validate a Serial Number During Installation of your Windows Installer (MSI) Using Orca and thought I'd share it with you on your blog, so others who might be reading your blog could also benefit from it.

I'm glad I don't have to use it anymore, but it was quite useful, and it can certainly help customize many aspects of Windows Installation Packages.
5/24/2010 8:20 PM | Charles

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