.file extension MSM - Windows Installer Merge module
.MSMFile extension MSM description:
Merge modules provide a standard method by which developers deliver shared Windows Installer components and setup logic to their applications. Merge modules are used to deliver shared code, files, resources, registry entries, and setup logic to applications as a single compound file. Developers authoring new merge modules or using existing merge modules should follow the standard outlined in this section.
A merge module is similar in structure to a simplified Windows Installer .msi file. However, a merge module cannot be installed alone, it must be merged into an installation package using a merge tool. Developers wanting to use merge modules must obtain one of the freely distributed merge tools, such as Mergemod.dll, or purchase a merge tool from an independent software vendor. Developers can create new merge modules by using many of the same software tools used to create a Windows Installer installation package, such as the database table editor Orca provided with the Windows Installer SDK.
When a merge module is merged into the .msi file of an application, all the information and resources required to install the components delivered by the merge module are incorporated into the application's .msi file. The merge module is then no longer required to install these components and the merge module does not need to be accessible to a user. Because all the information needed to install the components is delivered as a single file, the use of merge modules can eliminate many instances of version conflicts, missing registry entries, and improperly installed files.
Associated applications to file extension MSM:
Company / developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Windows Installer is an installation and configuration service that reduces the total cost of ownership. The Installer ships with Windows Vista, the Windows Server 2003 family, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.
Windows Installer enables customers to provide better corporate deployment and provides a standard format for component management. The installer supports the advertisement of applications and features according to the operating system.
Not all the capabilities available in later Windows Installer versions are available in earlier versions.
Beginning with Windows Installer 3.0, multiple patches can be installed with a single transaction that integrates installation progress, rollback, and reboots. The installer can apply patches in a constant order regardless of the order that the patches are provided to the system.
Patches installed with Windows Installer 3.0 or later can be uninstalled in any order to leave the state of the product the same as if the patch was never installed. Patching using Windows Installer 3.0 only updates files affected by the patch and can be significantly faster than earlier installer versions.
Accounts with administrator privileges can use Windows Installer 3.0 functions to query and inventory product, feature, component, and patch information; and to read, edit, and replace Installer source lists for network, URL, and media sources. Administrators can enumerate across user and install contexts, and manage source lists from an external process.
Installation packages and patches that are created for Windows Installer 2.0 can be installed by using Windows Installer 3.0.
Where Applicable
Windows Installer enables the efficient installation and configuration of your products and applications. The installer provides new capabilities to advertise features without installing them, to install products on demand, and to add user customizations.