I understand that there's the idea that if you ship code that uses VC++ version x then just use that merge module, forget policy files, your app will work, but then again if the redist does install policy files there is no consistent rule.
The policy files redirect older versions of the Dlls up to the newer ones. If you install the VC 2008 SP1 redist then you install a policy manifest that redirects callers up that new version (instead of to the RTM Dlls). If you don't install the policy files then you get to be the only user of the new VC++ runtime (if you're first at installing it). You can't stop somebody running the redist for SP2 and upgrading you to use the SP2 version anyway. There may be a hotfix issue in some cases - I haven't tested it all. If you install a merge module containing something like the ATL hotfix and you don't ship a policy file then the existing policy file on the system that redirects people to a specific version of the Dll will point to a Dll that you replaced. If the binding redirect on the system says: <bindingRedirect oldVersion="8.0.50727.42-8.0.50727.762" newVersion="8.0.50727.762"/> And you replace 8.0.50727.62 with 8.0.50727.800, then maybe some apps break because that's no longer there. Richard would have to look at his code's manifest and see what redirection exists on the machine for that particular runtime Dll. Phil Wilson -----Original Message----- From: Richard [mailto:legal...@xmission.com] Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 11:33 AM To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: Re: [WiX-users] best way to deploy C++ runtime? OK, I did a little testing and the results surprised me because the "working" solution goes against the advice of not including the policy MSM. Scenarios are as follows, all on Windows XP SP 3: - No MSMs, run the vcredist_x86.exe, install my application, my app launches - Payload MSM, install my application, my app doesn't launch. => then run vcredist_x86.exe, my app launches - Payload MSM + Policy MSM, install my application, my app launches This seems to imply that I *need* the policy MSM in order to launch my application. I'm not sure what the policy MSM is doing, but I noticed that it is also installed by the vcredist_x86.exe installer. Am I doing something wrong, or do I really need the policy MSM? -- "The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline" -- DirectX 9 draft available for download <http://legalizeadulthood.wordpress.com/the-direct3d-graphics-pipeline/> Legalize Adulthood! <http://legalizeadulthood.wordpress.com> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Let Crystal Reports handle the reporting - Free Crystal Reports 2008 30-Day trial. Simplify your report design, integration and deployment - and focus on what you do best, core application coding. Discover what's new with Crystal Reports now. http://p.sf.net/sfu/bobj-july _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users *** Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, including any associated or attached files, is intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. This e-mail is confidential and may well also be legally privileged. If you have received it in error, you are on notice of its status. Please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this message from your system. Please do not copy it or use it for any purposes, or disclose its contents to any other person. This email comes from a division of the Invensys Group, owned by Invensys plc, which is a company registered in England and Wales with its registered office at Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BF (Registered number 166023). For a list of European legal entities within the Invensys Group, please go to http://www.invensys.com/legal/default.asp?top_nav_id=77&nav_id=80&prev_id=77. You may contact Invensys plc on +44 (0)20 7821 3848 or e-mail inet.hqhelpd...@invensys.com. This e-mail and any attachments thereto may be subject to the terms of any agreements between Invensys (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates) and the recipient (and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Let Crystal Reports handle the reporting - Free Crystal Reports 2008 30-Day trial. Simplify your report design, integration and deployment - and focus on what you do best, core application coding. Discover what's new with Crystal Reports now. http://p.sf.net/sfu/bobj-july _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
