Install prerequisites first
Use Bundle when the product needs runtimes or other EXE/MSI packages before the main application package.
Create a WiX Burn Bundle EXE around the same MSI logic your project already uses.
InstallerLab v3 keeps Bundle as a normal FSS build target. For Application projects it can chain prerequisite EXE/MSI packages before the main MSI. For Office Add-in and QGIS Plugin projects, Bundle wraps the same specialized MSI backend instead of reimplementing activation or lifecycle behavior in Burn.
WiX BurnBundle EXEPrerequisitesMain MSIOffice Add-inQGIS PluginOne FSS
What a Bundle solves
Keep one product definition
The FSS remains the project. There is no second product definition just for Burn.
Reuse the validated MSI
Bundle calls the MSI backend, receives the generated main package and then builds the Burn chain around it.
Specialized projects stay specialized
Office registration and QGIS plugin lifecycle remain in their MSI implementation; Bundle does not duplicate those commands.
One EXE for the user
The final Bundle is a single executable bootstrapper even when the installation contains multiple packages.
Branding and localization
InstallerLab uses WixStandardBootstrapperApplication with project-aware icon/logo/theme resources and the shared language resolution policy.
Bundle vs. pure MSI
| Need | Pure MSI | Bundle EXE |
|---|---|---|
| Main Windows Installer package | Yes | Included as main package |
| Chain prerequisite EXE/MSI packages | No | Yes |
| Single bootstrapper EXE | No | Yes |
| Use the same InstallerLab FSS | Yes | Yes |
| Office/QGIS specialized lifecycle | Handled by specialized MSI | Reuses that MSI |
| WiX required on build machine | Yes | Yes |
WiX 7 requirements for Bundle builds
InstallerLab can run without WiX. Creating MSI or Bundle requires the WiX 7.x CLI; Bundle requires BootstrapperApplications and uses Util when prerequisite detection needs it.
dotnet --info
wix --version
wix extension list -gInstallerLab v3 is prepared for WiX 7.x. Do not automatically move the build environment to a future WiX major until that major has been validated with InstallerLab.
WiX Burn Bundle FAQ
Does InstallerLab create a real WiX Burn Bundle?
Yes. The Bundle backend generates or reuses the main MSI flow and builds the final bootstrapper through WiX Burn.
Can prerequisites be EXE or MSI packages?
Yes. The current prerequisite chain supports local EXE/MSI packages where that project workflow applies.
Can Office Add-ins and QGIS Plugins use Bundle?
Yes. In v3 Bundle wraps their specialized MSI backend rather than duplicating Office/QGIS logic.
Do I need a second InstallerLab project?
No. The same editable FSS remains the source of truth.
One FSS, one MSI authority, one final Bundle EXE.
InstallerLab v3 keeps Burn as a wrapper around the package logic already owned by the MSI backend.