Call DLL

Creates a custom action that calls a DLL function. Corresponds to Windows Installer custom action types 1 and 17. See the "Dynamic-Link Libraries" topic in the More Information section below to learn more about the type of DLL function that must be created.

See the Attributes tab for more details about scheduling, run options and return values.

Location

Internal binary

If selected, the DLL will be stored in and called from the Binary table of your Windows Installer database.

Source file:

The full path and filename of the DLL on your local development system. You can click the Browse button to select a file.

Installed with product

If selected, the DLL is a file that you are installing with your software. In this case, the timing of the action (see the Attributes tab) must adhere to the following rules:

1. The custom action must be sequenced after the CostFinalize action. This is so that the custom action can resolve the path needed to locate the DLL.

2. If the source file is not already installed on the computer, deferred (in-script) custom actions of this type must be sequenced after the InstallFiles action.

3. If the source file is not already installed on the computer, non-deferred custom actions of this type must be sequenced after the InstallFinalize action.

File ID:

The identifier of the DLL file in your project. You can click the Browse button to select an identifier.

Options

DLL function name:

The name of the DLL function to call. During installation, it will be called by Windows Installer passing a single argument that is the handle to the current install session. The entry point name specified in the table must match that exported from the DLL. Note that if the entry function is not specified by a .DEF file or by a /EXPORT: linker specification, the name may have a leading underscore and a "@4" suffix. The called function must specify the __stdcall calling convention.

More Information

MSDN Online: CustomAction Table

MSDN Online: Custom Action Type 1

MSDN Online: Custom Action Type 17

MSDN Online: Dynamic-Link Libraries

MSDN Online: Summary List of All Custom Action Types

WiX Help File: CustomAction Element