reading add/remove programs? or help making distribution package

[Kristopher Wragg]

hi

I'm wondering whether there is a way in C# to be able to see whether a
program has been installed or not?

I want to create a distributional executeable that will have a few
components and show which has been installed already and if it hasn't
been installed then allows them to install it, also not allowing them
to install a certain package until dependencies are installed...

I tried to figure how to do this with a package creater but couldn't
find one to do what I want as I already have the .msi files I want to
distribute, so I just want a simple frontend and not mess around having
to redo it all.

I know how to run the files with C# and see when they're completed...
but want to make sure that its also in Add/Remove programs first before
continuing with anything else that depends on that package.

any ideas?

thanks
Kris Wragg

[vj]

You don't have to look at Add remove programs, its just a list of programs
installed. I believe there is a list in the registry for this list. This
gets update everytime you run a MSI. I can't remember the exact location of
the list...

Also another note.. the MSI packager with VS.NET 2003 is powerful, you can
write custom Actions and do things before Install or after Install.. the
codeproject.com has a sample I believe.

VJ

"Kristopher Wragg" <xa****@xafiers-home.com> wrote in message
news:11**********************@v46g2000cwv.googlegr oups.com...

hi

I'm wondering whether there is a way in C# to be able to see whether a
program has been installed or not?

I want to create a distributional executeable that will have a few
components and show which has been installed already and if it hasn't
been installed then allows them to install it, also not allowing them
to install a certain package until dependencies are installed...

I tried to figure how to do this with a package creater but couldn't
find one to do what I want as I already have the .msi files I want to
distribute, so I just want a simple frontend and not mess around having
to redo it all.

I know how to run the files with C# and see when they're completed...
but want to make sure that its also in Add/Remove programs first before
continuing with anything else that depends on that package.

any ideas?

thanks
Kris Wragg

[scott blood]

Hello Kristopher,

Try this article on the MSDN this should help you a lot

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;821775

Regards
Scott Blood
C# Developer

"vj" <vi********@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Ou**************@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

You don't have to look at Add remove programs, its just a list of programs
installed. I believe there is a list in the registry for this list. This
gets update everytime you run a MSI. I can't remember the exact location
of the list...

Also another note.. the MSI packager with VS.NET 2003 is powerful, you can
write custom Actions and do things before Install or after Install.. the
codeproject.com has a sample I believe.

VJ

"Kristopher Wragg" <xa****@xafiers-home.com> wrote in message
news:11**********************@v46g2000cwv.googlegr oups.com...

hi

I'm wondering whether there is a way in C# to be able to see whether a
program has been installed or not?

I want to create a distributional executeable that will have a few
components and show which has been installed already and if it hasn't
been installed then allows them to install it, also not allowing them
to install a certain package until dependencies are installed...

I tried to figure how to do this with a package creater but couldn't
find one to do what I want as I already have the .msi files I want to
distribute, so I just want a simple frontend and not mess around having
to redo it all.

I know how to run the files with C# and see when they're completed...
but want to make sure that its also in Add/Remove programs first before
continuing with anything else that depends on that package.

any ideas?

thanks
Kris Wragg