Finding the Upgrade Success Status Using the Log File

Stumped by whether an upgrade actually succeeded or not? You can check the upgrade success status by using the msi log file.

Read on to learn a couple of techniques.

1. UPGRADINGPRODUCTCODE Property in the Log File

The UPGRADINGPRODUCTCODE property is set by Windows Installer when an upgrade removes an application. The installer sets this property when it runs the RemoveExistingProducts action. This property is not set by removing an application using the Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel. An application determines whether it is being removed by an upgrade or the Add or Remove Programs by checking UPGRADINGPRODUCTCODE.

For example:

RemoveExistingProducts: Application: {0AC95D97-1B75-4AC7-B061-F21E379FF809}, Command line: UPGRADINGPRODUCTCODE={DD4CEE59-5192-4CE1-8AFA-1CFA8EB37209} REMOVE=ALL

In this example, the old product code is {0AC95D97-1B75-4AC7-B061-F21E379FF809} and the new product code is {DD4CEE59-5192-4CE1-8AFA-1CFA8EB37209}

2. Search for PRODUCTVERSION Property in the Log File

Using this method, you can find both the upgraded package version and the old package version.

These are said to be the success criteria in msi log for a good package upgrade.