installation - How to upgrade via msi

Question

I want to upgrade my product via msi setup. The Upgrade Code of both msi remains the same because it's the same product family. Even if I change Version/Product Code of the msi for updating it just tells me the product is already installed or asks me to repair it. it doesn't ever provide an update option that replaces the current installation.

I'm using Visual Studio 2008 Pro to generate the msi setup

Answer 1

When you change the Version property in your Setup project, Visual Studio should prompt you to also change the ProductCode. You must do this. Then, you must also set the RemovePreviousVersion property to true. Make sure the UpgradeCode stays the same.

This is probably the easiest way and, from reading your question, what you are looking for. Note that this is more of an uninstall, then reinstall, than an "upgrade" per se.