Why is there oftentimes a setup.exe AND a setup.msi in ONE inst packg?

P

pstein

New member
Member
VIP
Local time
3:15 PM
Messages
244
When I download software from official webpages then I observe oftentimes a setup.exe AND a setup.msi within the just downloaded single *.zip installer package.
Example: http://www.bctester.de/en/download.html

Why are there TWO files?

Shouldn't it be enough to provide only ONE (either exe or msi) file for installation?

Which one should users officially double click (at first) for installation?

Peter
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

win7pro 64bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
win7pro 64bit
You're right. Should be enough to provide only ONE (either exe or msi) file for installation.
As you have the two, I would install with the setup.exe.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
setup.exe, is that main installer... usually... InstallShield Wizard
I pretty sure the setup.msi is the "bootstrap"..

here is some web data.

An MSI is a Windows Installer database. Windows Installer (a service installed with Windows) uses this to install software on your system (i.e. copy files, set registry values, etc...).

A setup.exe may either be a bootstrapper or a non-msi installer. ... A bootstrapper will contain an MSI instead of individual files.Nov 24, 2009
Click to expand...

What is an MSI file?

MSI is an installer package file format used by Windows. Its name comes from the program's original title, Microsoft Installer, which has since changed to Windows Installer. MSI files are used for installation, storage, and removal of programs.
Click to expand...

What is the setup EXE file?

File: setup.exe. The standard installation file for InstallShield Windows applications, this process is run on command and installs a variety of software packages. InstallShield is a utility for deploying software applications to Windows.
Click to expand...
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro (x64)AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12-Core Processor32GB, 2x G.Skill 16GB (PC3200)(DDR4-2137)NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8GB XC3 model by EVGA
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    [Self-built](custom-build)(June 2020)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro (x64)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME X570-PRO
    Memory
    32GB, 2x G.Skill 16GB (PC3200)(DDR4-2137)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8GB XC3 model by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC1220A 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" DELL Gaming Monitor - G2422HS - DisplayPort used
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p at 165Hz (16:9 Aspect Ratio)
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 980 Pro (NVMe)(SSD)
    2TB Samsung 980 Pro (NVMe)(SSD)
    2TB Samsung 870 EVO (SSD)

    NVMe 1TB
    -- OS(Win10 Pro x64),
    -- programs,
    -- programming(MS Visual Studios 2022 Community Ed.),
    -- music

    NV
    PSU
    Thermaltake TOUGHPOWER DPS G RGB Titanium Certified 1250Watt
    Case
    Corsair Graphite Series 780T Full Tower PC Case
    Cooling
    AMD Wraith cooler (stock) & 3x Corsair case fans
    Keyboard
    Alienware Low Profile RGB Mechanical USB Gaming Keyboard - A
    Mouse
    Redragon M602 RGB Wired USB Gaming mouse
    Internet Speed
    2100Mbps Download, 350Mbps Upload
    Antivirus
    n/a aka "ABOVE TOP SECRET!" lol ;)
    Browser
    Firefox & Google Chrome

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProAMD Ryzen 7 5800H16GB DDR4Ryzen 7 5800H integrated AMD Radeon Graphics ...
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    DELL G15 Ryzen edition, model 5515
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
    Motherboard
    DELL G15 Ryzen edition
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    Ryzen 7 5800H integrated AMD Radeon Graphics and Nvidia GeForce 3060 6GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC3254 with Nahimic 3D Audio for Gamers
    Monitor(s) Displays
    built-in
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB NVMe SSD
    PSU
    DELL power brick.
    Case
    laptop
    Cooling
    laptop cooling
    Keyboard
    built-in
    Mouse
    Microsoft basic optical scroll mouse
    Internet Speed
    1000Mbps download, 20Mbps upload
    Browser
    Firefox & Waterfox Classic
Melchior is right. The Setup.exe may have a wizard to choose some option. At the end it calls the *.msi.
I have (many times) installed using the *.msi with same results.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Create a Setup.exe
Replies
2
Views
4K
stomper
S
Back
Top