SDK Installation and Product Properties (Windows Embedded CE 6.0)
1/6/2010
When you use Platform Builder to configure and build an SDK, the result is a Microsoft® Windows® Installer (MSI) package. This package contains information required to install or uninstall an SDK, using the Windows Installer.
Each MSI package includes the following:
- An .msi file that contains the following:
- An installation database
- A summary information stream
- Data streams for various parts of the installation
- One or more transforms
- Internal source files
- External source files or cabinet files required by the installation
The Windows Installer allows you to include splash screens with your SDKs.
The Installer also automates the SDK installation process. During this process, it creates an entry for the SDK in the Add or Remove Programs dialog box under Control Panel on your development workstation. This allows a developer who installed your SDK to later remove it in a straightforward manner.
The Windows Installer also requires a product globally unique identifier (GUID) for each distinct SDK to facilitate the installation process.
Platform Builder manages the GUIDs for you, generating a unique GUID for each SDK with a new product name you create. However, if you modify the product version number for an existing SDK, the GUID for that SDK does not change.
The IDE displays a history of product names associated with the OS design, allowing you to update an existing MSI package. If you make changes to your OS design and want to replace an existing SDK, select the product name associated with the existing MSI package.
The following table shows the installation information that the SDK requires.
| Product properties | Description |
|---|---|
Product name |
Name exposed to OS during installations and uninstallations. |
Company name |
Name of your company. |
Company Web site |
Web site for your company. |
Locale language |
Default language used for user interface (UI) installation elements that are not scripted. |
Product version |
Versioning to allow the installer to compare differing installations, using the format 00.00.0000. |
For more information, see SDK Tool Property Pages: General.
See Also
Tasks
Modifying the SDK Installation Properties
Modifying the SDK Product Properties