WIX check if VS2015 C++ redistributable is installed

Question

Does anybody know how to check in a WIX project, if the actuall C++ redistributable package is installed or not? This link describes the serveral product IDs, but there is a problem with them. They change with every update of a C++ redist package. Based on that I've to apapt my checks in the WIX project every time a new VC redist package update is released, which is not a useable solution.

I want to use the RegistrySearch WIX element to solve this problem. Therefore I need to know a registry key that doesn't change if a newer version of a C++ redist package is installed. I've also checked the registry key described in this link, but no one seems to be reliable.

Gisele

Another approach is to always start it and let it decide what to do. (This option is less attractive if you would to have a bootstrapper avoid downloading it if it doesn't need to.) – Subdeacon

Answer 1

Visual Studio 2013/2015 will add additional registry keys:

Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\classes\installer\Dependencies


Name                           Property
----                           --------
Microsoft.VS.VC_RuntimeAdditio Version     : 12.0.21005
nalVSU_amd64,v12               (default)   : {929FBD26-9020-399B-9A7A-751D61F0B942}
                               DisplayName : Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 x64 Additional Runtime - 12.0.21005
Microsoft.VS.VC_RuntimeAdditio Version     : 14.0.23026
nalVSU_amd64,v14               (default)   : {BC958BD2-5DAC-3862-BB1A-C1BE0790438D}
                               DisplayName : Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 x64 Additional Runtime - 14.0.23026

They also include keys like Microsoft.VS.VC_RuntimeMinimumVSU_amd64,v12. These keys will point to the currently installed redist packages, and will be removed/added when you install a redist package.

Bareheaded