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MSI Packages can be automatically installed by windows using command line options from msiexec /? and a bit of vbscript of simliar.<br />
<br />
Why not get a copy of the excellent VMWare (<a href="http://www.vmware.com)?" rel="ugc">www.vmware.com)?</a> (you will quickly recoup the cost in saved time)<br />
Install an appropriate Test Operating System(s) on it and take a snapshot right before the point where you are just about to test the MSI. Then run the MSI from its deployment location and confirm if OK etc. When done just roll the VM snapshot back to where it was and you are ready to test again.. No messing about with reprepping machines required.<br />
<br />
I use this method and find it extremely effective; i can test my MSI on several machines pretty much simultaneously and when im satisfied i just roll the machines back to where they were ready for the next deployment. Of course there is a slight learning curve for using VMWare (or i *suppose you could* use Microsoft Virtual PC) but now, testing a new deployment only takes me about 5 minutes per platform.<br />
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Hope that helps.
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MSI Packages can be automatically installed by windows using command line options from msiexec /? and a bit of vbscript of simliar.

Why not get a copy of the excellent VMWare (www.vmware.com)? [http://www.vmware.com)?] (you will quickly recoup the cost in saved time)
Install an appropriate Test Operating System(s) on it and take a snapshot right before the point where you are just about to test the MSI. Then run the MSI from its deployment location and confirm if OK etc. When done just roll the VM snapshot back to where it was and you are ready to test again.. No messing about with reprepping machines required.

I use this method and find it extremely effective; i can test my MSI on several machines pretty much simultaneously and when im satisfied i just roll the machines back to where they were ready for the next deployment. Of course there is a slight learning curve for using VMWare (or i *suppose you could* use Microsoft Virtual PC) but now, testing a new deployment only takes me about 5 minutes per platform.

Hope that helps.

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We now use manual testing procedures.<br />
Is there software that can automate this ?
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We now use manual testing procedures.
Is there software that can automate this ?

Is their a way to automate the testing of msi packages ?

Installation is the act of making a computer program program ready for execution. Because the process varies programs often come with a specialized program responsible for doing whatever is needed for their installation. Installation may be part of a larger software deployment process. Cross platform installer builders that produce installers for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux include InstallAnywhere, InstallBuilder and Install4J. Installers for Microsoft Windows include Windows Installer, InstallShield, and Wise Installation Studio; free installer-authoring tools include NSIS, IzPack, Clickteam, InnoSetup, InstallSimple and WiX. Mac OS X includes Installer, and also includes a separate software updating application.

Installation

Programming includes both the specifics of the language you’re using, like Visual Basic, .NET, Java and others, but also the best practices in user experience and interfaces and the management of projects, version control and development. Other programming topics are related to web and cloud development and system and hardware programming.