Find GUID From MSI File

Question

How can I list the GUID of an installed program in Windows? Alternatively, is it easier to find the GUID if I have the MSI file?

I\'m looking through the MSI file w

Answer 1

There are several ways to locate the product GUID for installed packages. Please prefer option number 3.

The most common are:

1. Check in the registry underneath the following base paths using regedit.exe. Search for the application name (or just browse through each sub folder untill you find it). When you have found it you can pass it to msiexec.exe:

- 32-BIT SECTION:

 HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
 HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall (per user section)

- 64-BIT SECTION:

 HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

- MERGED SECTION (supposedly all of the above merged together, I have not verified):

 HKCR\Installer\Products

2. Check the locally cached MSI package in %SystemRoot%\Installer. This is a cached version of the original MSI that was originally used to install the product on your computer.
   • You will need a tool capable of opening MSI files. Here is a list and comparison of features: What installation product to use? InstallShield, WiX, Wise, Advanced Installer, etc.
   • An MSI is an MS SQL database in disguise, you should also be able to open it with any compatible MS SQL data viewer tool.
   • The free MSI tool "Orca" from the Windows SDK is the preferred one for this simple data retrieval task. It is quick, small and reliable.
   • Then follow Michael Uhrman's advice from his answer above, and locate the package code in the summary stream, and the upgrade and the product code in the Property table. The package code is also visible from an MSI file's property page in Windows Explorer.
3. Use Powershell to list package information. I find this the easiest and most practical option. See this answer for a screenshot and a sample: How can I find the product GUID of an installed MSI setup?

If what you are trying to do is to uninstall the product in question, see this comprehesive uninstall MSI answer: Uninstalling an MSI file from the command line without using msiexec

If you feel more comfortable using VBScript instead of Powershell, please try this answer from Phil Wilson: how to find out which products are installed - newer product are already installed MSI windows