Data Storage

Introduction

Use the tree to manage binary data stored in this project. Right-click a binary resource in the tree to remove it. Select a binary resource to view its properties and import/export its data. To add a new binary resource, right-click the tree and choose Add Resource.

Windows Installer stores binary data in several tables, including: _Streams, _Storages, Binary, and Icon. Each of these tables has a slightly different purpose.

In _Storages and _Streams, you'll typically find internal cabinet files and embedded (nested) MSI installations. These tables should not be modified by you unless absolutely necessary. These tables are usually automatically populated by Wise Installation Studio as necessary.

The Data Storage section provides access to the Binary and Icon tables. The Binary table contains files in general, used anywhere in your installation. The Icon table stores icons only: raw .ico files or executables that contain icons. The Files section of the tree view refers to the Binary table entries and the Icons section refers to the Icon table entries.

Working with binary resources

Right-click the Files or Icons category to add a new resource. Choose Add Resource from the menu and browse for a file to add. Right-click a resource and select Remove Resource to remove it from the project. All references to that resource become invalid.

Each binary resource has a name and associated binary data. If you change the name of a binary resource, you must also manually update all references to the resource. Below is a screenshot showing the operations you can perform with binary data.

You can either import or export the associated binary data. To import new data into a binary resource, select the first option and browse for the file you wish to import. To export the associated binary data to a file, select the second option and enter the path to the file that will be created. The file that is created will contain the associated binary data of the binary resource.