Know The Meaning of MSI File Extension? How to Open and View MSI File Extension

What is MSI File?

An MSI installer is a file format and technology presented by Microsoft to install, maintain, and remove software on Windows operating systems. MSI installers are usually found at the installation of software applications in the corporate world and distributing it to its end-users.

Structured packaging, customizable installation options, rollback capability, silent installation, patch management, and digital signing characterize MSI installers. They give a unified and solid way of software deployment and management on Windows systems, guaranteeing flexibility, reliability, and security for software developers and end-users.

How to Open MSI File?
Holding an MSI (Microsoft Installer) file is usually associated with the start of software installation on Windows systems. An MSI file is an installation package that includes all the necessary files, settings, and instructions to install particular software on a Windows computer. Read also Major Difference Between MSI vs EXE Installers

A MSI file is a file type that can be opened for viewing or editing, like text files or images, but unlike other file types, it is specifically designed for software installation. It should be mentioned that MSI files are only for Windows systems and cannot be run on other operating systems without special software or emulation.

Besides, some MSI file contents may need admin rights to run, especially if the installed software makes system-level changes, such as changing the registry settings or installing drivers.

• Locate the MSI file: The MSI file can be obtained from the internet, published by a software provider, or in other ways. The MSI file is found on your computer once you have the MSI file that you need.
• Execute the MSI file: A frequent method to open an MSI file is by double-clicking it in File Explorer (Windows Explorer). You can also right-click the MSI file and select “Open” from the context menu. The user might need administrative rights to access the file, particularly if the installed software makes system-level changes and the user’s privileges are modifiable.
• Initiate the Installation Process: Once you open the MSI file, the Windows Installer service is launched. This service is in charge of installing, configuring, and removing the software on the Windows systems. It initiates the installation wizard that leads you through the installation steps.
• Follow the Installation Wizard: The installation wizard gives you a sequence of screens that ask you to pick and choose the various options and configurations for the installation. These may be the acceptance of the software license agreement, the choice of installation options such as the install directory, the features to install, and the optional settings configuration.
• Complete the installation: Once you have chosen all the required settings and made the selections, click the “Install” or “Finish” button and proceed with the installation. The Windows Installer then starts copying the files, setting the options, and performing any other necessary tasks to install the software on your computer.
• Confirmation: After the installation process, you will get a message saying the software has been successfully installed. The given software might also provide the choice of starting the installed application immediately.

How to View MSI File?

The MSI (Microsoft Installer) file is usually looked into by checking its properties, structure, and the files inside it. Although MSI files are primarily designed for installation rather than viewing, you can use special tools to peep into their contents.

Using Third-Party Tools

Orca: Orca is an application made by Microsoft included in the Windows SDK (Software Development Kit). It enables you to see and modify the objects of MSI files. You may download the Windows SDK from the Microsoft website, install it on your computer, and then use Orca to open and examine MSI files.

lessMSI: LessMsi is a free and open-source tool that offers a simple interface for inspecting the content of MSI files. The lessMSI can be downloaded from its GitHub repository or other trusted sources. After the installation of MSI, you can open an MSI file with lessMSI to view its contents.

Using Command-Line Tools

msiexec Command: You can employ the msiexec command-line utility, which is a part of Windows, to unpack the MSI file. To install the MSI file, use the Open Command Prompt and go to the folder that contains the MSI file

msiexec /a path\to\file. msi /qb TARGETDIR=path\to\output\folder

Inspecting Properties

Additionally, you can find some of the basic properties of an MSI file by simply right-clicking it and choosing “Properties” from the context menu. This could refer to the details like the file size, the creation date, and the version number.

Using Text Editors

Although not suggested for in-depth analysis because of their binary structure, you can open an MSI file in a text editor to view its contents as text. Nevertheless, the contents will seem like gibberish or binary data, so it may be tough to understand.

Conclusion

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