Windows 7/Vista: How to Extract Content from MSI Files
Contributed by Rob Rogers 
Tagged: Microsoft Windows 7 While there are plenty of utilities available to extract the contents of an MSI file, you can do it straight from the command line without using some third party application. These directions have been updated to show this works in both Windows 7 and Vista. Here’s how:
First, access an elevated command prompt, to do this:
1. Click the Start button.
2. Click All Programs.
3. Go into Accessories.
4. Right-click on Command Prompt.
5. Select Run as administrator.
6. When the UAC Prompt appears, click Continue.
Once you have your elevated command prompt, input the following:
msiexec /a filepath to MSI file /qb TARGETDIR=filepath to target folder
using the desired locations to fill the above mentioned filepaths.
(Example: msiexec /a c:\testfile.msi /qb TARGETDIR=c:\temp\test)
Press the Enter button on your keyboard.
If you have entered the command correctly, the MSI file’s contents will be extracted.
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Vista user said on October 5, 2008
No, I get “The Installscript engine is missing from this machine”
davak said on October 5, 2008
Sounds like you need to install the the correct version of InstallScript engine.
http://www.installsite.org/pages/en/msifaq/a/1027.htm
jamesta said on December 15, 2008
wow, i love it, great job. cheers.
Sid said on December 31, 2008
I like 7zip – Right Click on File –> Extract! =)
Venny said on January 16, 2009
did not work
Mikey said on January 20, 2009
Extracting manually worked GREAT! Appreciate the work-around.
xpUser said on May 18, 2009
I still can not open the msi file. I even tried a exe converter. plz help!
Mike said on May 22, 2009
Great! Worked a treat, tnks a 10^6!
another satisfied customer said on May 24, 2009
Worked a treat! Took me a few goes to sort it out but when the penny finally dropped – I had extracted the files I needed. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Anna said on June 30, 2009
Superb, you have no idea how much job you just saved me ;)
Thanks a bunch!
bearsomg said on July 8, 2009
worked great, thanks.
i hate installing things, they screw up my computer…
Mehul Gavit said on September 19, 2010
Thanks.
Bush_out said on September 24, 2010
Thanks, and to the person saying to use 7zip, that doesnt actually extract the content of the msi. Only found that out after installing it….
Name said on December 5, 2010
Tried it in Windows 98 and it worked. So it works on any system with Windows Installer installed.
Dean Williams said on December 27, 2010
Genius mate, thanks a tonne