Files with msi extension are commonly used for Microsoft Installation packages used by most Windows based programs. If you open msi file in Windows, the installation procedure will commence.

There are 2 other file types using
the MSI file extension!

empty icon.msi - Cerius2 data

empty icon.msi - TruNEST nesting data

Detailed description

Software that open msi file

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MSI file extension - Microsoft Windows Installer installation package

What is msi file? How to open msi files?

File extension msi is commonly related to Microsoft Windows Installer service.

A .msi file contains program installation package for quick and flawless installation on Windows platform.

These files contains all of the information that the Windows Installer requires to install or uninstall an application or product and to run the setup user interface.

Each such installation package includes an msi file, containing an installation database, a summary information stream, and data streams for various parts of the installation. They can also contain one or more transforms, internal source files, and external source files or cabinet files required by the installation.

MIME types:
application/x-ole-storage
text/mspg-legacyinfo

Updated: March 19, 2024

The default software associated to open msi file:

Windows Installer icon

Microsoft Corporation logoWindows Installer  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Windows Installer is installation and configuration service included in the Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7 as well as Windows Server family. Windows Installer provides standard format for Windows component management.

Microsoft Windows icon

Microsoft Corporation logoMicrosoft Windows  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

A family of operating systems developed by the Microsoft Corp. The first Windows was released in 1985 as a GUI add-on to MS-DOS. MS-DOS based Windows versions were developed to 2000, when was released the last version called Windows ME. Windows based on NT core started in 1993. Windows NT family are developed to these days, the latest version is called Microsoft Windows 11.

Help how to open:

MSI packages are automatically detected by Microsoft Windows Installer service and opening them results in launching the program installation process.

In older versions of Windows, Microsoft Windows Installer service is not installed and must be downloaded from Internet.

How to convert:

There is probably no real way how you can convert this particular file type to anything else.

Find converter to msi file type:

exe to msi

File identification strings:

HEX code: D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
ASCII code: Msi.Package

Related links:

How to create a third-party Microsoft Installer package

Microsoft Windows Installer packaging tools

Overview of the Windows Installer Technology

List of software applications associated to the .msi file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open msi file, edit msi file, convert msi file, view msi file, play msi file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting msi files.

Software that open msi file - Microsoft Windows Installer installation package

Programs supporting the exension msi on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open msi file action.

Microsoft Windows:

Main software associated with msi file by default:
Windows Installer small icon Windows Installer
Microsoft Windows small icon Microsoft Windows
Other suggested software:
Windows Installer XML

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