How do I use MSI to WSI Conversion tool?

Answer

Running the MSI to WSI Conversion tool  from the Tools menu in the Windows Installer Editor redefines source paths, either by extracting files and merge modules from the .MSI, or by redefining the source paths to point to files and merge modules that already exist on your computer. This MSI to WSI Conversion tool is useful when attempting to restore original source files, editing an installation project, or creating an upgrade or patch when only the .MSI is available.

To convert an .MSI to a .WSI:

1. Open the .MSI project to convert to a .WSI.
   Note: The following message prompt might occur when opening the .MSI: "Would you like to convert this Windows Installer database to a Wise project file?" Click Yes on the message prompt to automatically launch the MSI to WSI Conversion tool.
2. If the MSI to WSI Conversion tool does not automatically launch, manually launch the tool. The MSI to WSI Conversion wizard opens. The MSI to WSI Conversion tool is located in the Tools menu of Wise for Windows Installer or Windows Installer Editor of Wise Package Studio. If you're using Wise for Visual Studio, select .MSI to .WSI Conversion from the Project menu.
3. On the Welcome dialog, input the New Source Directory field. Click Browse to browse for the desired source location for files and merge modules to extract to during the conversion process.
4. Click Next on the Welcome dialog. The File Sources dialog appears, unless the .MSI includes merge modules. Proceed to step 6, if the .MSI does not include merge modules.
5. If the .MSI contains merge modules, the Merge Module Sources dialog appears. On the Merge Modules Sources dialog, specify a location to extract merge modules. The location defaults to the location previously specified on the Welcome dialog in step 3. Click Next to continue. The File Sources dialog appears.
6. On the File Sources dialog, specify the source path for each file in the .MSI. Select the file from the list and then click the Change Path button to modify the source path. The location defaults to the location previously specified on the Welcome dialog in step 3. Click Next to continue. The Create New WSI File dialog appears.
7. On the Create New WSI File dialog, specify the location for the new .WSI file.
8. On the Create WSI File dialog, click Finish. The newly created .WSI opens. Using the MSI to WSI Conversion tool creates a new .WSI. The MSI to WSI Conversion tool is a versatile tool that restores the initial installation's .WSI and internal source to its original state.