MSI: Create or rename a folder to the logged on user's userID
Ok, this is a weird one. I've been given an application to package into an MSI, the developers want the MSI to be able to create a folder with the logged on user's userID (C:\Program Files\MyApp\<UserID>\). We deploy applications to machines and any user specific stuff (user profile, HKCU, etc) is usually handled with Active Setup. Can this be achieved using Active Setup?
... and No, I don't know why they couldn't have developed their application to use AppData!!
Answers (4)
The username variable could be used with Custom Action "Set Directory" Custom Action Type 35. First create a directory "userIDFolder". Then create a custom action in execute sequence that changes the path of this directory to C:\Program Files\MyApp\%username%, with the help of Custom Action Type 35
This can be achieved using ActiveSetup or DuplicateFile table... In both cases, you have to give "Write Permission" to the "C:\Program Files\MyApp" folder.
Comments:
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How would that automatically create or rename a folder to the logged on user's userID? - jlai 12 years ago
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Yes.. As Visalakshi said, Create a VBScript which will create a folder with the currently logged in USERNAME in C:\Program Files\Myapp folder, keep this VBScript in C:\Program Files\MyApp folder . Call this vbscript in Active setup... - jagadeish 12 years ago
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Thanks. - jlai 12 years ago
Give permisions to C:\Program Files\Myapp. Create a VB script which will create a folder in C:\Program Files\Myapp. Call this vbscript in Active setup.
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Thanks, I didn't realise you could have more than one Active Setup per MSI. I'll have a look at this too. So the stub Path would be: wscript.exe myscript.vbs - jlai 12 years ago
There can be as many active setup as you want. Just keep the reg key different
The username variable could be used with Custom Action "Set Directory" Custom Action Type 35.
First create a directory "userIDFolder".
Then create a custom action in execute sequence that changes the path of this directory to C:\Program Files\MyApp\%username%, with the help of Custom Action Type 35.