Symptoms

This article explains how to use a PowerShell and VBS custom action to access an INSTALLDIR property using custom action. This information applies to the following InstallShield project types:

• Basic MSI
• InstallScript MSI

Solution

For PowerShell CustomAction:

1. Create a Basic MSI Project.
2. Open the CustomAction view.
3. Add a set property CustomAction and rename it to SetPropertyCA.
4. Property Name SETCUSTOMINSTALLDIR and value set to [INSTALLDIR].
5. Set InstallExec to After AppSearch.
   
   
6. Create a PowerShell CustomAction with stored in Binary table.
7. Browse and add the .ps1 file (save below code as Test.ps1).
   
   
   

   $Path = get-property -name SETCUSTOMINSTALLDIR
   
   $wshell = New-Object -ComObject Wscript.Shell
   New-Item $Path -ItemType "Directory"
   $a = new-object -comobject wscript.shell
   $b = $a.popup("INSTALLDIR: $Path",0,"Test Message Box",1)
   #[System.Windows.MessageBox]::Show('Would you like to Install the Setup?','Setup input','YesNoCancel','Error')
   #$msgBoxInput = [System.Windows.MessageBox]::Show($Path,'Game input','YesNoCancel','Error')
   Start-Process -FilePath $Path\Notepad2.exe

8. Set InstallExec to After SetPropertyCA.
9. Save the project.
10. Build and run the project.

VBS CustomAction:

1. Create a Basic MSI Project.
2. Open the CustomAction view.
3. Add a VBS Custom Action with stored in binary table option.
4. Browse and add your .vbs file (save below .vbs file as installdir.vbs):
   

   Function InstallDIRTest()
   Dim INSTALLDIR, SRCDIR
   
   ' first, path to the msi file
   INSTALLDIR = Session.Property("INSTALLDIR")
   
   'MsgBox Session.Property("INSTALLDIR")
   
   MsgBox "The value of INSTALLDIR is now " & session.Property("INSTALLDIR")
   
   End Function ' InstallMySQL

5. Set InstallExec to After InstallInitialize.
   
   
6. Set the Use 64 bit scripting option to YES.
7. Save the project.
8. Build and run the project.

Reference

See the following:

• How to Access MSI Property with a Deferred Custom Action
• Retrieve and Set Properties in a VBScript Custom Action
• INSTALLDIR Property in a VBScript Custom Action