How to Create an MSI installer for a Python Application

As one of the most prominent programming languages ​​in the world, Python is supported by many tools and modules. It’s easy to learn and offers beautifully constructed code — which opens the door to many solutions and endless possibilities.

In this particular article, we will go over creating an MSI installer for your Python application, using the free edition of the Advanced Installer. It will only take 5 steps! Plus, we have a video at the end of the article where we walk you through the entire process in an easy-to-follow way.

Before we dive into our quick guide to packaging a Python application and creating an MSI, let’s cover the process of converting Python to Exe.

How to convert Python to Exe

In the past, a user was required to have Python installed to run a Python script, but nowadays there are many Python to exe converters in the market.

The most popular are PyInstaller, or Auto Pi in EXE, which is basically a graphical user interface for PyInstaller.

When a Python script is converted to an EXE, all necessary Python dependencies and dlls are added, either in a large exe file, or alongside the executable.

These converters assure developers that no matter where the script is run, all the necessary Python files will be present on the machine — to make the script run successfully.

If you want to read or refresh on how to deploy a Python script, you can check out our post about it — but for now let’s take a look at how easy it is to create an MSI for a converted Python script.

How to create an MSI for your Python executable

For this example, we converted a simple helloworld Python script to exe using the Auto PI to EXE converter. We also chose to leave all python files uncompressed (this does not affect our Advanced Installer project).

Now that you have your Python executable, follow these steps:

1. open Advanced installer. A dialog window will appear where you can select the type of project you want to create.

2. Choose “Simple”
the type.

3. Deselect e “Use the wizard…” option.

4. Press [ Create Project
] the button.

5. Your new project is created, which means you can now edit it.

Once the project opens, navigate to the Files and Folders page. There you will be able to choose where to install your files. In our case, we added all the files “Program Files\My Python Application”.

If you want to add a shortcut to your executable (in our case helloworld.exe), select your executable and press “New Short For” from the upper left corner, then select “Installed File”.

A new window will appear where you can configure your name, shortcut icon, etc. For more information about shortcuts, see Creating shortcuts on the Files and Folders page.

Once all our files and shortcuts are created, we can build the Python MSI installer by clicking on Build in the upper left corner.

And that’s it, in a few simple clicks you have your Python application ready for deployment.

In case you need an installer built with the new MSIX technology, we’ve got you covered: Create an MSIX for Your Python Application

Tutorial video

CONCLUSION

The Advanced Installer provides quick solutions for many Python scripts, whether you want to “finish” your Python script, or are using tools to convert your Python script to EXE.

You can also convert your Python script to EXE and automatically create an MSI installer for it with cx_freeze. You can read more about this tool here: Create an executable Python installer and MSI using Cx_freeze.

CX_Freeze reminds me of WiX, because the MSI has to be created programmatically.

As always, we hope you found this article useful, let us know your tips and tricks in the comments.