Summary

Synopsis

To install an empty folder, you can navigate to the File and Folders view in your project and add a new folder without any files. However, this article discusses how to install an empty folder via the Direct Editor.

Note: Using the Direct Editor performs the same task as using the File and Folders view; however, using the File and Folders view is an easier way to accomplish this task.

The article applies to:
-Basic MSI and InstallScript MSI Project Types
-Windows 32-bit, Windows 64-bit Operating Systems.

Discussion

To install an empty folder use the CreateFolder table in the Direct Editor.

1. Navigate to the Direct Editor view.
   
2. Select the Directory table within the Direct Editor.
   
3. In the Directory column of the directory table, enter a text string, which will be used as an identifier of this directory. This entry is a primary key that will not be used outside the context of the installation, for example:

   NewFolder

4. In the Directory_Parent column, enter an identifier of a defined directory which will be used as the base path for this new folder. For this example, use INSTALLDIR.
   
5. In the DefaultDir column of the directory table, enter the name of the subfolder that you wish to install, for example:

   MyNewFolder

   You have now added a new directory identifier that resolves at run time to

   [INSTALLDIR]\MyNewFolder

6. Navigate to the CreateFolder table in the Direct Editor.
   
7. In the Directory_ column of the CreateFolder table, specify the identifier of the directory you wish to create, in this case: NewFolder.
   
8. In the Component_ column of the Create folder table, select one of the components that currently exists in your project. If this component is installed then the folder is created, if the component is not installed then the folder is not created. Note: The folder is removed if the component is uninstalled.

Your installation is now setup to create an empty folder.

Additional Information

For more information on the tables discussed in this articles, see the Windows Installer Help Library topics CreateFolder Table and Directory Table.