Installer larger than 2GB?

[Foresco]

Everytime I try to compile .exe file it shows me that maximum CAB file size is 2GB and stops. So I wanted to ask, how to create .exe installer larger than 2gb? Also it needs to be in a single file.

[GabrielBarbu]

Hello,

Simply organize your installer into Features from the Organization page. On the Media page->Media tab select the "One CAB per feature" option. Make sure your features have each less than 2GB.

Best regards,
Gabriel

[Foresco]

Hmm, can't understand how to manage components properly. My installer consists of about 40k files and in Features section is MainFeature which has too much files to drag&drop one by one to another component.

[GabrielBarbu]

Hello,

You can try using the "Advanced CAB Layout". Leave the defaults on that page and check the "include into the MSI database" option. CABs will automatically get created when their size exceeds the size specified in the "Maximum size" field.

Please note that Windows cannot open EXE files larger than 2GB, so the CAB files need to be outside the EXE if their total size exceeds 2 GB.

Best regards,
Gabriel

[Dan]

Hi,

Windows Installer has its limitations when it comes to managing large file installation. We’ll explore the available options for building installers with very large resources.

Before diving into, let’s summarize the current MSI limitations. The MSI utilizes CAB (Cabinet) files as storage containers for the files it includes.

• Cab Maximum File Size: The maximum size of a CAB file is 2 GB. This limitation is imposed by the CAB file format itself.
• Installer size: The MSI with resources inside cannot exceed 2 GB and EXE with resources inside cannot exceed 4GB. This is a Windows limitation.

Here's the Authoring Installer for Large Resources Overcoming MSI Size Limits (from a developer perspective) article that debates this subject.

Best regards,
Dan