How to define installation folder from command line parameter in Wix installer

Question

I install my application to a specific folder using the below wxs code:

<Directory Id="TARGETDIR" Name="SourceDir">
        <Directory Id="ProgramFilesFolder">
            <Directory Id="INSTALLDIR" Name="CompanyName">
                <Directory Id="SUBDIR" Name="Application Launcher">
                    <Component Id="ApplicationFiles" Guid="*">
                        <File Name="app.exe" Id="AppFile1" Source="app.exe" Vital="yes" />
                    </Component>
                </Directory>
            </Directory>
        </Directory>
</Directory>

I want to specify the installation folder with a parameter to be given from the command line like below:

msiexec.exe /i setup.msi PATH=C:\MyCompany\Folder\ /qn

Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

<Directory Id="TARGETDIR" Name="SourceDir">
        <Directory Id="ProgramFilesFolder">
            <Directory Id="CompanyFolder" Name="CompanyName">
                <Directory Id="INSTALLLOCATION" Name="Application Launcher">
                    <Component Id="ApplicationFiles" Guid="*">
                        <File Name="app.exe" Id="AppFile1" Source="app.exe" Vital="yes" />
                    </Component>
                </Directory>
            </Directory>
        </Directory>
</Directory>

For your install:

msiexec /I setup.msi INSTALLLOCATION=C:\Somewhere /qn

Answer 2

I am adding as an answer to get proper links. You should check out Wix's auto-generate GUID feature: WIX Autogenerate GUID *?

This feature allows you to stop generating your own GUIDs and have Wix take care of them in an "automagic" way. I haven't tested it, but anything that makes your source file cleaner, shorter, and easier to maintain is worth trying. It also makes it easier to share Wix snippets without people reusing your generated GUID.

Maybe also check out:

• How To: Generate a GUID
• Change my component GUID in wix?
• WIX Autogenerate GUID *
• Rob Mensching (Wix author) states it is safe for normal use

And one more thing with regards to properties. In general all PUBLIC properties (uppercase) can be set on the command line. If you want to use these properties in deferred mode custom actions you need to check out the concept of restricted public properties and the SecureCustomProperties property. Some Installshield info too. And a nice old Wise article.