The type of tool you're looking for is called an Application Repackaging tool. The process would include capturing an installation (take a machine snapshot, run your installation and make customisations, then run a second snapshot to calculate the differences) then compiling the captured data into MSI format. The following are some free tools to perform these tasks, in order: •: Use this to capture your installation and create an MSI from the captured data. If your app is reasonably simple then this may be all you need. •: Use this to edit the MSI that has been created with AppDeploy Repackager. You will need to know how MSI's work to really make the most of Orca.

Microsoft's is the definitive source for information on MSI contents. As for your second question: You will find that sometimes vendors will supply an MSI wrapped in an executable, so if you run the.exe you might be able to dig out the MSI from a temp directory. I copy here two lists from a couple of webpages I found. A long list of deployment software, including repackagers, with descriptions added: Here I copy only the names mentioned in this webpage: • AdminStudio • Advanced Installer Architect • AppDeploy Repackager • Asdis • CapaInstaller ezMSI • BMC Software • MSI Package Builder • NetInstall • Network Software Scanner • Packaging Robot • Prism • Radia • RayPack • Real Packaging • RemoteExec • Remote Installer • Smart Packager One more list from: Probably not all of them are repackagers. • WinInstall • wItem Installer (also called Installer2Go) • VMWare ThinApp • EXE to MSI Converter (exetomsi.com) • AppDeploy repackager • Exemsi MSI Wrapper (exemsi.com) • Advanced Installer (advancedinstaller. Snail Ramp A Pizza Already RARE. com).