WIX wont install to Program Files

[PhoneCoolie]

Hi I have a basic WixSharp installer for a simple .Net 8 WinForms project. I have this in the setup program:

var project = new ManagedProject($"{productName}",
new Dir($@"%ProgramFiles%{companyName}{productName}",
new Files(".")));

But it always installs to (x86). I tried using a different variable (ProgramW6432) instead of ProgramFiles but it fails compilation.

[Torchok19081986]

morning, Version of currently installed wix tooset ? according to wix toolset Version 6.0+, https://docs.firegiant.com/wix3/bundle/bundle_built_in_variables/
you use , i think, wrong programmfiles built-in variables.

[PhoneCoolie]

I installed the toolset using:

dotnet tool install --global wix
Tool 'wix' (version '6.0.2') was successfully installed.


I've changed program.cs (using your link) to:

var project = new ManagedProject($"{productName}",
new Dir($@"%ProgramFiles64Folder%{companyName}{productName}",
new Files(".")))


However it still goes to (86). Here is a summary of the setup project:

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
<OutputType>WinExe</OutputType>
<TargetFramework>net8.0-windows</TargetFramework>
<UseWindowsForms>true</UseWindowsForms>
<DefineConstants>NETCORE</DefineConstants>
<PackageReference Include="WixSharp.Core" Version="2.12.0" />
<PackageReference Include="WixSharp.Msi.Core" Version="2.12.0" />
</Project>


[Torchok19081986]

hm. ok. looks ok. strange behaviour. do you tried wixsharp tempalte for wix toolset 3.X , not template for core ?

[PhoneCoolie]

No I havent tried that. But it must be WIX because if I put in a absolute path for the installation eg C:\Program Files\my_company\my_product then this is what's in the .wxs file:

<Property Id="INSTALLDIR_ABSOLUTEPATH" Value="C:\Program Files\my_company\my_product " />

but it still goes to (86)!. if I change to C:\Program Filez\ .... it goes where you would expect.

[Torchok19081986]

ok, can you pls post here your description ? i know, that default msi ist x86 process. project.platform = Platform.X64, also right ?

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/43386704/program-files-folder-instead-of-program-files-x86-installation-path-in-wix

could be your problem.

[PhoneCoolie]

Yes that sounds like a similar problem. As I said in my earlier post I am now using ProgramFiles64Folder (with or without %) and you can see in the wxs file that the path is set correctly. I've also tried setting the target to x64 (instead of AnyCPU) but still the same problem. I have 2 options now: 1) scrap WIX and use something else 2) rename the folder as a post install step.

[Torchok19081986]

maybe. you should find solution that works for you. Is there not example from @oleg-shilo self, for install into programmfiles fodler x64 ?

[PhoneCoolie]

I'll have a look. Thanks Torchok.

[Torchok19081986]

absolute null problems.

[oleg-shilo]

Yep, this is the sample you are looking for:

[PhoneCoolie]

Ah thanks oleg new it had to be something simple.

[oleg-shilo]

Not a prob.
@Torchok19081986 actually gave you the answer here But you probably overlooked it.
Glad it's all sorted now

[PhoneCoolie]

As a matter of interest, why do we need to specify the platform for a .NET project?

[Torchok19081986]

morning, in my opionion, we need plattform.x64 , because msi is x86 process , and doenst know about x64 paths and items. Wix toolset compiles x64 to something that triggered x64 msiinstaller and msiinstaller can install into paths or registry. msiinstaller is older as x64 plattform and created ms before plattform exists.