WiX Toolset Additional Tools

WiX Toolset – Shareware

Streamline Your MSI Packaging with WiX Toolset Additional Tools

Minh Ong

03/31/2025

WiX Toolset Additional Tools enhance the MSI packaging process with powerful utilities that simplify the creation and management of Windows Installer packages.

WiX Toolset Additional Tools is a software package created by WiX Toolset for software developers and IT professionals. It includes a set of supplementary tools that extend the capabilities of WiX Toolset, an open-source toolset that enables the creation of Windows installer packages.

Heat.exe: A tool that generates WiX code by extracting data from various sources such as directories, files, and registries.
Light.exe: A tool that links object files, libraries, and other resources to create an MSI or MSM file.
Torch.exe: A tool that compares two MSI or MSM files and creates a transform file that contains the differences between them. The transform file can be used to modify the original MSI or MSM file.
Dark.exe: A tool that decompiles an MSI or MSM file into WiX code.
Smoke.exe: A tool that validates an MSI or MSM file to ensure that it conforms to Windows Installer best practices and rules.
Candle.exe: A tool that compiles WiX code into object files that can be linked by Light.exe to create an MSI or MSM file.

The WiX Toolset Additional Tools package provides additional flexibility and functionality to software developers and IT professionals who need to manage Windows installer packages.

Overview

WiX Toolset Additional Tools is a Shareware software in the category Miscellaneous developed by WiX Toolset.

The users of our client application UpdateStar have checked WiX Toolset Additional Tools for updates 31 times during the last month.

The latest version of WiX Toolset Additional Tools is currently unknown. It was initially added to our database on 06/05/2023.

WiX Toolset Additional Tools runs on the following operating systems: Windows.

WiX Toolset Additional Tools has not been rated by our users yet.

Pros

Free and open-source, which makes it accessible for anyone to use and modify.
Highly customizable for creating Windows installer packages.
Supports a wide range of Windows features and functions, including custom actions and user interface elements.
Can be used to create complex installers with minimal effort using XML-based configurations.
Strong community support with extensive documentation available online.

Cons

Steeper learning curve for beginners due to its XML syntax and complexity.
Debugging installation issues can be challenging without a deep understanding of the framework.
Limited graphical user interface; much of the configuration is done through code rather than visual tools.
Build process may require more manual setup compared to other installer solutions.
Occasional compatibility issues with newer Windows versions may arise.

FAQ

What is the WiX Toolset Additional Tools?

The WiX Toolset Additional Tools is a set of additional tools that enhance the functionality of the WiX Toolset. It provides additional features and capabilities for creating Windows Installer packages using WiX.

What are some examples of additional tools in the WiX Toolset Additional Tools?

Some examples of additional tools in the WiX Toolset Additional Tools are heat.exe, lit.exe, melt.exe, and torch.exe.

What does heat.exe do?

heat.exe is a tool that generates WiX fragment files by automatically harvesting resources from various sources such as files, directories, COM components, registry keys, etc.

What does lit.exe do?

lit.exe is a tool that combines multiple WiX object files into a single Windows Installer package (.msi) file.

What does melt.exe do?

melt.exe is a tool that merges multiple Windows Installer transform (.mst) files into a single transform file.

What does torch.exe do?

torch.exe is a tool that validates and compares two Windows Installer databases and generates a patch (.msp) file containing the differences between them.

Are the WiX Toolset Additional Tools open source?

Yes, the WiX Toolset Additional Tools are open source and available under an MIT license.

Where can I find documentation for the WiX Toolset Additional Tools?

Documentation for the WiX Toolset Additional Tools can be found on the official WiX documentation website.

Can I use the WiX Toolset Additional Tools with other installation authoring tools?

The WiX Toolset Additional Tools are specifically designed to enhance the functionality of the WiX Toolset. While it might be possible to use them with other installation authoring tools, their full capabilities may only be realized when used together with WiX.

Is technical support available for the WiX Toolset Additional Tools?

Technical support for the WiX Toolset Additional Tools is provided through community forums and discussion groups. There may also be commercial support options available.

Minh Ong

I'm Minh, a software engineer and author with a passion for exploring and writing about the latest in software and technology. With my experience in software development and a specialization in software updates and content creation, I bring a deep understanding of the tech landscape to my reviews and articles. My focus is on providing you with comprehensive insights into general software topics and the latest industry news.

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31 users of UpdateStar had WiX Toolset Additional Tools installed last month.

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