Are you tired of the default logo that appears in the taskbar when your MSI installer is running? Do you want to give your installer a more professional look and feel? Look no further! In this article, we’ll show you how to change the logo of MSI in the taskbar when it is executing using the Wix toolset.
Prerequisites
Before we dive into the instructions, make sure you have the following:
- Wix Toolset installed on your machine (you can download it from the official website)
- A basic understanding of Wix syntax and MSI creation
- An MSI project set up in your preferred IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
Understanding the Taskbar Logo
The taskbar logo is typically a 16×16 pixel icon that appears in the taskbar when your MSI installer is running. By default, the logo is a generic Windows icon, but you can customize it to display your own logo or branding.
The taskbar logo is stored in the MSI file as a resource, and it’s identified by a unique ID. In Wix, we’ll use the `
Creating a Custom Logo
Before we modify the MSI file, you’ll need to create a custom logo that meets the following requirements:
- The logo must be a 16×16 pixel icon (you can use a larger image, but it will be resized to 16×16)
- The logo must be in ICO format (you can use online tools or image editors like Adobe Photoshop to create an ICO file)
- The logo must be saved in the same directory as your MSI project file
For this example, let’s assume you’ve created a custom logo called `custom_logo.ico` and saved it in the same directory as your MSI project file.
Modifying the MSI File
To change the taskbar logo, we’ll need to modify the MSI file using Wix. Open your MSI project file in your preferred IDE and add the following code:
<Icon Id="custom_logo" SourceFile="custom_logo.ico"/>
This code specifies a new icon resource with the ID `custom_logo` and points to the `custom_logo.ico` file in the same directory.
Updating the Taskbar Logo
Now that we’ve added the custom logo to the MSI file, we need to update the taskbar logo to use the new icon. We’ll do this by adding the following code:
<Property Id="ARPPRODUCTICON" Value="custom_logo"/>
This code sets the `ARPPRODUCTICON` property to the ID of our custom logo (`custom_logo`). This property is used by Windows to display the taskbar logo.
Compiling and Testing
Save your MSI project file and compile it using the Wix compiler (candle and light). Once you’ve compiled the MSI file, run it to test the new taskbar logo.
If everything is set up correctly, you should see your custom logo in the taskbar when the MSI installer is running.
Troubleshooting
If you’re having trouble getting the custom logo to display, here are some common issues to check:
- Make sure the custom logo is in the same directory as the MSI project file
- Verify that the custom logo is in ICO format and meets the size requirements
- Check that the icon ID in the `
` element matches the value of the `ARPPRODUCTICON` property - Try compiling and testing the MSI file again to ensure that the changes are being applied correctly
Conclusion
Changing the taskbar logo of your MSI installer is a simple but effective way to customize the user experience and give your installer a more professional look and feel. By following the instructions in this article, you should be able to update the taskbar logo using the Wix toolset.
Remember to test your MSI file thoroughly to ensure that the custom logo is displaying correctly. If you encounter any issues, refer to the troubleshooting section or seek help from the Wix community.
Wix Element | Description |
---|---|
<Icon> | Specifies a new icon resource |
<Property> | Sets a property value (in this case, the ARPPRODUCTICON property) |
With this knowledge, you can now customize the taskbar logo of your MSI installer and give it a unique touch. Happy coding!
Frequently Asked Question
Get the scoop on how to customize the logo of your MSI in the taskbar when it’s running with Wix toolset!
Q1: What is the purpose of changing the logo of an MSI in the taskbar?
Changing the logo of an MSI in the taskbar helps to brand your application and provide a visual representation of your software. This is especially important for companies that want to maintain a consistent brand image across all their applications.
Q2: Can I change the logo of an MSI in the taskbar using Wix toolset?
Yes, you can! Wix toolset provides a feature to customize the logo of an MSI in the taskbar. You can use the `Icon` attribute in the `Package` element of your Wix XML file to specify the custom icon you want to display.
Q3: How do I specify the custom logo in the Wix XML file?
To specify the custom logo, you need to add the `Icon` attribute to the `Package` element and specify the path to your custom icon file (e.g., a .ico file). For example: `
Q4: What is the recommended size and format for the custom logo?
It’s recommended to use a 32×32 pixel icon in .ico format. This size is suitable for most taskbars and ensures that your logo is displayed clearly.
Q5: Can I use a different logo for different installation modes (e.g., silent mode)?
Yes, you can! Wix toolset allows you to specify different logos for different installation modes using conditional statements in your Wix XML file. For example, you can use the `INSTALLMODE` property to specify a different logo for silent mode.