WiX Tips - Use Environmental Variables and WiX Preprocessor "ifdef"

WiX supports reading enviromental variables, and has some useful preprocessors like ifdev. You can use your build script to set the environmental variables first. WiX compiler will substitute the environmental variables defined in your WiX file with the actual values you set.

For example: 

    <?ifdef $(env.BUILD_TYPE) ?>
        <?define ROOT="$(env.APP_ROOT)\bins\$(env.BUILD_TYPE)"?>
    <?else?>
        <?define ROOT="$(env.APP_ROOT)\bins"?>
    <?endif?>

See also

  • Introduction to the Windows Installer XML(WiX) Toolset
  • MSI basics
  • WiX Tutorial - Steps to Create an MSI with Windows Installer XML(WiX)
  • How to Install a COM DLL with Windows Installer XML(WiX)
  • How to Add a License Agreement UI to Windows Installer XML(WiX)
  • How to Add Customization Code CustomAction to Windows Installer XML(WiX)
  • How to Reset Windows Service with Windows Installer XML(WiX)
  • How to Troubleshoot MSI Installation
  • How to Pass Parameters to the Customization Code(CustomAction)
  • How to Log Tracing Infomation to the Calling MSI from CustomAction
  • How to Invoke InstallUtil.exe to Call Your Managed Installer Class
  • How to Create a Website and Virtual Directory with Windows Installer XML(WiX)
  • How to Install Files to an Arbitrary Location Outside "Program Files"
  • How to Read Configuration Parameters from Xml File
  • How to Use Environmental Variables and WiX Preprocessor
  • Download WiXSharp



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