WIXMSP File – What is .wixmsp file and how to open it?

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WIXMSP File Extension

WiX XML Patch File – file format by Outercurve Foundation

A WiX XML Patch File (WIXMSP) is an XML file that contains a list of changes to be applied to a WiX (Windows Installer XML) file. WIXMSP files are used to update or patch existing WiX installations.

WIXMSP File Format

A WIXMSP file is an XML-based patch file used for updating Windows Installer (.MSI) packages. It contains instructions for modifying or replacing components, files, and registry entries within an existing MSI package without requiring a complete reinstallation. WIXMSP files are often used for applying hotfixes, updates, and enhancements to software applications.

Advantages of WIXMSP Patch Files

WIXMSP patch files offer several advantages over traditional MSI updates. They are:

  • Incremental Updates: WIXMSP files only include the changes necessary to update an MSI package, reducing download size and installation time compared to complete MSI updates.
  • Efficient Deployment: Patch files can be deployed through various methods such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), or manual distribution.
  • Compatibility: WIXMSP files are backward compatible, allowing them to update MSI packages created with older versions of the Windows Installer XML (WiX) toolset.
  • Extensibility: WIXMSP files can be customized to perform additional actions beyond just updating package components, such as running scripts or modifying system settings.

Definition of .WIXMSP files

A WIXMSP (WiX XML Patch File) is a file format used to patch Windows Installer packages (.MSI files). It contains a set of XML-based instructions that can be applied to an existing MSI file to update or modify its contents. WIXMSP files are typically generated using the WiX toolset, a popular open-source framework for creating Windows Installer packages.

Opening WIXMSP files

WIXMSP files can be opened and manipulated using the WiX toolset. The following steps describe how to open a WIXMSP file using the WiX command-line tool:

  1. Ensure that the WiX toolset is installed on your system.
  2. Open a command prompt and navigate to the directory where the WIXMSP file is located.
  3. Enter the following command:


candle.exe -d ... -o ... [wixmsp_file_path]

  1. Replace ... with the appropriate command-line arguments. The -d argument specifies the directory where the output MSI file will be saved, and the -o argument specifies the name of the output MSI file.
  2. The candle.exe tool will process the WIXMSP file and generate a new MSI file. The new MSI file will contain the updates or modifications specified in the WIXMSP file.

WiX XML Patch File (WIXMSP)

The WIXMSP file extension is used for WiX XML Patch Files, which are developed by the Outercurve Foundation. These files are used for patching existing Windows Installer (MSI) packages. They contain XML data that defines the changes to be made to the MSI package. WIXMSP files can be created using the WiX toolset, which is an open-source toolkit for building Windows Installer packages.

WIXMSP files are typically used to make minor changes to MSI packages, such as updating version numbers, adding or removing files, or changing the package metadata. They can also be used to fix bugs or security vulnerabilities in MSI packages. WIXMSP files are applied to MSI packages using the Windows Installer Patching Engine (MSIPatch.exe) tool. This tool reads the WIXMSP file and makes the necessary changes to the MSI package.

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