WixPie

WixPie is a graphical interface designed to manage and edit installer scripts based on Wix Toolset. This application allows modifying XML configuration files without manual code writing, facilitating the creation of MSI packages for Windows platforms. WixPie works directly on selected wxs files, without proprietary project files. The tool organizes available options according to the specific task, showing only relevant parameters for each operation.

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• Add and edit basic metadata. Allows modifying fundamental installer information such as ProductName, Manufacturer, unique identifiers ProductCode and UpgradeCode, Version number, and Language. These data are essential for Windows to correctly install, update, or uninstall the application.
• Filter visible properties. Offers the possibility to show only required properties for current configuration or expose all available properties of the script. This functionality reduces visual complexity when working with large files.
• Assign installer icon. Permits selecting and linking an icon file (.ico) that will appear associated with the MSI installer executable. This icon displays in file explorer and during installation process.
• Insert banner and background images. Facilitates inclusion of visual graphics in installer interface, distinguishing between background image (bigback) and top banner image. These resources enhance visual presentation of installation package.
• Incorporate license. Allows adding end-user license agreement (EULA) in RTF or TXT format. License text displays during installation, requiring user acceptance to proceed.
• Predefined conditions for .NET Framework. Implements with one click necessary checks to verify presence of specific .NET Framework version on target machine. Includes configuration of properties such as automatic download if component is missing.
• Directory structure management. Permits defining and organizing folder hierarchy where files will be installed, as well as creating shortcuts on desktop or start menu. This structure replicates final arrangement on user disk.
• Centralized file management. Provides single panel to add, remove, and organize all files that will be part of installer. Supports inclusion of individual files or complete folders with their content.
• Organization into Features and Components. Permits structuring installer by creating Features (user-selectable characteristics) and Components (atomic groups of files or registry entries). Also supports ComponentGroups to reuse common configurations across different Features.
• Installer user interface configuration. Offers capability to select and customize dialogs that will appear during installation process, including welcome, confirmation, progress, and completion screens. Different predefined dialog sets can be chosen.
• Direct wxs file viewing and manipulation. Displays XML content of selected files with syntax highlighting, allowing manual edits when precise control is required. Changes made in graphical view automatically reflect in XML code.
• Work without project file. Permits selecting one or multiple wxs files directly from file system, without needing a proprietary project file. Application bases all information on files opened in each session.
• Change layout according to task. Allows dynamically reorganizing interface through layout filter packages that show only relevant options for current operation, such as editing services, custom actions, or IIS configurations.
• Automatic management of extensions and namespaces. Detects script requirements and automatically adds or removes references to Wix extensions (WixUtilExtension, WixUIExtension, etc.) as well as corresponding XML namespace declarations.
• Integrated installer compilation. Features a Build button that executes compilation process using Wix Toolset tools, generating final MSI file at specified location. Displays compilation errors or warnings.
• Log file generation. During compilation or installer execution, can generate detailed log file in installer directory. This log facilitates failure diagnosis in test or production environments.
• Standard MSI or web installer creation with Burn. Supports generation of conventional MSI installers, as well as more complex packages using Wix Burn engine. Latter allow packaging web .NET installer that downloads components on demand.
• Create uninstall shortcut. Automatically adds shortcut in installation directory or start menu that executes program uninstallation, invoking msiexec with corresponding ProductCode.
• XML coverage highlighting. In XML code view, elements modified or created through graphical interface appear visually highlighted, facilitating identification of script parts corresponding to current configuration. External extensions are not supported for this highlighting.
• Automatic removal of empty components. After deleting a file or resource, tool detects and removes Component and ComponentRef elements left without content, keeping script clean and free of orphaned references.
• Read-only support for include files (wxi). Allows opening and viewing include files with wxi extension, displaying content but blocking any modification. This prevents accidental alterations in definitions shared across multiple installers.
• Reposition elements in structure. Offers capability to move elements (files, components, or features) to different positions within installer hierarchy through cut-and-paste operations or controlled dragging.
• Change element location. Allows modifying target path of any element within virtual installer directory tree, altering where each resource will physically install on end-user system.
• Add custom shortcuts. Permits creating shortcuts to executables, documents, or folders, specifying name, target location, command line arguments, and working directory. Shortcuts can be placed on desktop, start menu, or any defined folder.
• IIS Virtual Directory Package. In Standard edition, allows creating virtual directory within IIS Default Website. Configures properties such as alias, physical path, and basic or integrated authentication permissions.
• IIS Website with AppPool Package. In Standard edition, enables creation of complete website in IIS, including definition of application pool (AppPool) with specific .NET version configuration, pipeline mode, and identity level.
• Use executable file version number. In Standard edition, can automatically read version from selected .exe file and assign as product Version, synchronizing installer with main binary.
• Installer Sequence Custom Action Package. In Standard edition, allows managing custom actions and their placement in installation sequence, inserting executable code or scripts at specific points such as InstallInitialize, InstallFinalize, or Commit.
• Reposition layout filter packages with drag & drop. In Standard edition, different filter packages determining visible interface can be reordered by mouse dragging, adapting workspace to frequency of use for each function.
• Windows Services configuration. In Standard edition, allows installing and configuring Windows services (ServiceInstall, ServiceControl). Defines service name, startup type (automatic, manual, disabled), execution account, dependencies, and failure actions (restart, run command).
• Register file extension associations. In Standard edition, links file extension (e.g., .docx or .pdf) with installed application. Configures ProgID, associated icon, open command, and file type description in Windows Explorer.

WixPie was initially created in year 2015 by individual developer operating under pseudonym ShiftBITS. Main motivation originated from complexity of maintaining manual XML scripts for Wix Toolset, especially in projects with hundreds of files. First public version launched in 2016 with basic metadata editing and directory structure functionalities. Primary programming language used for WixPie development is C# on .NET Framework, utilizing Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) for graphical interface. Subsequent versions incorporated specific packages for IIS, Windows services, and file associations, consolidating two editions: Basic (essential functionalities) and Standard (complete functionalities including IIS, services, and custom actions). The program does not require proprietary project files and operates directly on wxs files generated by Wix Toolset, maintaining compatibility with versions 3.x and 4.x of said tool. Application is distributed as standalone executable that invokes Wix command line utilities (candle.exe and light.exe) to perform final compilation of MSI installers.

Alternatives to WixPie:

Master Packager

Master Packager is a professional tool designed for creating, editing, and managing software packages in enterprise environments.

Price: Free   Size: 151 MB   Version: 25.6.9358   OS: Windows