LizardByte · ReenigneArcher · Feb 7, 2026 · Jul 4, 2025
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-windows.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-windows.yml
@@ -129,6 +129,11 @@ jobs:
           # Clean up
           Remove-Item -Path doxygen-setup.exe
 
+      - name: Setup dotnet  # needed for wix
+        uses: actions/setup-dotnet@baa11fbfe1d6520db94683bd5c7a3818018e4309  # v5.1.0
+        with:
+          dotnet-version: '10.x'
+
       - name: Setup python
         id: setup-python
         uses: actions/setup-python@a309ff8b426b58ec0e2a45f0f869d46889d02405  # v6.2.0
@@ -176,12 +181,19 @@ jobs:
 
           # package
           cpack -G NSIS
+          cpack -G WIX
           cpack -G ZIP
 
           # move
           mv ./cpack_artifacts/Sunshine.exe ../artifacts/Sunshine-${{ matrix.name }}-installer.exe
+          mv ./cpack_artifacts/Sunshine.msi ../artifacts/Sunshine-${{ matrix.name }}-installer.msi
           mv ./cpack_artifacts/Sunshine.zip ../artifacts/Sunshine-${{ matrix.name }}-portable.zip
 
+      - name: Debug wix
+        if: always()
+        shell: msys2 {0}
+        run: cat ./build/cpack_artifacts/_CPack_Packages/win64/WIX/wix.log || true
+
       - name: Run tests
         id: test
         shell: msys2 {0}

diff --git a/cmake/packaging/windows_wix.cmake b/cmake/packaging/windows_wix.cmake
@@ -1,4 +1,97 @@
 # WIX Packaging
 # see options at: https://cmake.org/cmake/help/latest/cpack_gen/wix.html
 
-# TODO: Replace nsis with wix
+# find dotnet
+find_program(DOTNET_EXECUTABLE dotnet HINTS "C:/Program Files/dotnet")
+
+if(NOT DOTNET_EXECUTABLE)
+    message(WARNING "Dotnet executable not found, skipping WiX packaging.")
+    return()
+endif()
+
+set(CPACK_WIX_VERSION 4)
+set(WIX_VERSION 4.0.4)
+set(WIX_UI_VERSION 4.0.4)  # extension versioning is independent of the WiX version
+set(WIX_BUILD_PARENT_DIRECTORY "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/wix_packaging")
+set(WIX_BUILD_DIRECTORY "${CPACK_PACKAGE_DIRECTORY}/_CPack_Packages/win64/WIX")
+
+# Download and install WiX tools locally in the build directory
+set(WIX_TOOL_PATH "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/.wix")
+file(MAKE_DIRECTORY ${WIX_TOOL_PATH})
+
+# Install WiX locally using dotnet
+execute_process(
+        COMMAND ${DOTNET_EXECUTABLE} tool install --tool-path ${WIX_TOOL_PATH} wix --version ${WIX_VERSION}
+        ERROR_VARIABLE WIX_INSTALL_OUTPUT
+        RESULT_VARIABLE WIX_INSTALL_RESULT
+)
+
+if(NOT WIX_INSTALL_RESULT EQUAL 0)
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "Failed to install WiX tools locally.
+     WiX packaging may not work correctly, error: ${WIX_INSTALL_OUTPUT}")
+endif()
+
+# Install WiX UI Extension
+execute_process(
+        COMMAND "${WIX_TOOL_PATH}/wix" extension add WixToolset.UI.wixext/${WIX_UI_VERSION}
+        WORKING_DIRECTORY ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}
+        ERROR_VARIABLE WIX_UI_INSTALL_OUTPUT
+        RESULT_VARIABLE WIX_UI_INSTALL_RESULT
+)
+
+if(NOT WIX_UI_INSTALL_RESULT EQUAL 0)
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "Failed to install WiX UI extension, error: ${WIX_UI_INSTALL_OUTPUT}")
+endif()
+
+# Install WiX Util Extension
+execute_process(
+        COMMAND "${WIX_TOOL_PATH}/wix" extension add WixToolset.Util.wixext/${WIX_UI_VERSION}
+        WORKING_DIRECTORY ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}
+        ERROR_VARIABLE WIX_UTIL_INSTALL_OUTPUT
+        RESULT_VARIABLE WIX_UTIL_INSTALL_RESULT
+)
+
+if(NOT WIX_UTIL_INSTALL_RESULT EQUAL 0)
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "Failed to install WiX Util extension, error: ${WIX_UTIL_INSTALL_OUTPUT}")
+endif()
+
+# Set WiX-specific variables
+set(CPACK_WIX_ROOT "${WIX_TOOL_PATH}")
+set(CPACK_WIX_UPGRADE_GUID "512A3D1B-BE16-401B-A0D1-59BBA3942FB8")
+
+# Installer metadata
+set(CPACK_WIX_HELP_LINK "https://docs.lizardbyte.dev/projects/sunshine/latest/md_docs_2getting__started.html")
+set(CPACK_WIX_PRODUCT_ICON "${SUNSHINE_ICON_PATH}")
+set(CPACK_WIX_PRODUCT_URL "${CMAKE_PROJECT_HOMEPAGE_URL}")
+set(CPACK_WIX_PROGRAM_MENU_FOLDER "LizardByte")
+
+set(CPACK_WIX_EXTENSIONS
+        "WixToolset.UI.wixext"
+        "WixToolset.Util.wixext"
+)
+
+message(STATUS "cpack package directory: ${CPACK_PACKAGE_DIRECTORY}")
+
+# copy custom wxs files to the build directory
+file(COPY "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/wix_resources/"
+        DESTINATION "${WIX_BUILD_PARENT_DIRECTORY}/")
+
+set(CPACK_WIX_EXTRA_SOURCES
+        "${WIX_BUILD_PARENT_DIRECTORY}/sunshine-installer.wxs"
+)
+set(CPACK_WIX_PATCH_FILE
+        "${WIX_BUILD_PARENT_DIRECTORY}/patch.xml"
+)
+
+# Copy root LICENSE and rename to have .txt extension
+file(COPY "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/LICENSE"
+        DESTINATION "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}")
+file(RENAME "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/LICENSE" "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/LICENSE.txt")
+set(CPACK_RESOURCE_FILE_LICENSE "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/LICENSE.txt")  # cpack will covert this to an RTF if it is txt
+
+# https://cmake.org/cmake/help/latest/cpack_gen/wix.html#variable:CPACK_WIX_ARCHITECTURE
+if(CMAKE_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR MATCHES "ARM64")
+    set(CPACK_WIX_ARCHITECTURE "arm64")
+else()
+    set(CPACK_WIX_ARCHITECTURE "x64")
+endif()
diff --git a/cmake/packaging/wix_resources/patch.xml b/cmake/packaging/wix_resources/patch.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+<CPackWiXPatch>
+  <CPackWiXFragment Id="CM_G_Core">
+    <FeatureRef Id="RunSunshineInstallScripts"/>
+  </CPackWiXFragment>
+</CPackWiXPatch>
diff --git a/cmake/packaging/wix_resources/sunshine-installer.wxs b/cmake/packaging/wix_resources/sunshine-installer.wxs
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+<Wix xmlns="http://wixtoolset.org/schemas/v4/wxs"
+     xmlns:util="http://wixtoolset.org/schemas/v4/wxs/util">
+  <Fragment>
+    <StandardDirectory Id="ProgramMenuFolder">
+        <Component Id="ApplicationShortcutRoot" Guid="*">
+            <Shortcut Id="ApplicationStartMenuShortcutRoot"
+                      Name="Sunshine"
+                      Description="Sunshine Game Stream Host"
+                      Target="[INSTALL_ROOT]sunshine.exe"
+                      Arguments="--shortcut"
+                      WorkingDirectory="INSTALL_ROOT"/>
+            <RegistryValue Root="HKCU" Key="Software\LizardByte\Sunshine" Name="installed_root" Type="integer" Value="1" KeyPath="yes"/>
+        </Component>
+        <Directory Id="ProgramMenuSubfolder" Name="LizardByte">
+            <Directory Id="ProgramMenuSunshineFolder" Name="Sunshine">
+                <Component Id="ApplicationShortcut" Guid="*">
+                    <Shortcut Id="ApplicationStartMenuShortcut"
+                              Name="Sunshine"
+                              Description="Sunshine Game Stream Host"
+                              Target="[INSTALL_ROOT]sunshine.exe"
+                              Arguments="--shortcut"
+                              WorkingDirectory="INSTALL_ROOT"/>
+                    <RemoveFolder Id="CleanUpShortCut" Directory="ProgramMenuSunshineFolder" On="uninstall"/>
+                    <RemoveFolder Id="CleanUpShortCutParent" Directory="ProgramMenuSubfolder" On="uninstall"/>
+                    <RegistryValue Root="HKCU" Key="Software\LizardByte\Sunshine" Name="installed" Type="integer" Value="1" KeyPath="yes"/>
+                </Component>
+                <Component Id="DocumentationShortcut" Guid="*">
+                    <util:InternetShortcut Id="DocumentationLink"
+                                           Name="Sunshine Documentation"
+                                           Target="https://docs.lizardbyte.dev/projects/sunshine"
+                                           Type="url"/>
+                    <RemoveFolder Id="CleanUpDocsShortCut" Directory="ProgramMenuSunshineFolder" On="uninstall"/>
+                    <RegistryValue Root="HKCU" Key="Software\LizardByte\Sunshine" Name="docs_shortcut" Type="integer" Value="1" KeyPath="yes"/>
+                </Component>
+                <Component Id="WebsiteShortcut" Guid="*">
+                    <util:InternetShortcut Id="WebsiteLink"
+                                           Name="LizardByte Web Site"
+                                           Target="https://app.lizardbyte.dev"
+                                           Type="url"/>
+                    <RemoveFolder Id="CleanUpWebsiteShortCut" Directory="ProgramMenuSunshineFolder" On="uninstall"/>
+                    <RegistryValue Root="HKCU" Key="Software\LizardByte\Sunshine" Name="website_shortcut" Type="integer" Value="1" KeyPath="yes"/>
+                </Component>
+                <Component Id="SupportShortcut" Guid="*">
+                    <util:InternetShortcut Id="SupportLink"
+                                           Name="LizardByte Support"
+                                           Target="https://app.lizardbyte.dev/support"
+                                           Type="url"/>
+                    <RemoveFolder Id="CleanUpSupportShortCut" Directory="ProgramMenuSunshineFolder" On="uninstall"/>
+                    <RegistryValue Root="HKCU" Key="Software\LizardByte\Sunshine" Name="support_shortcut" Type="integer" Value="1" KeyPath="yes"/>
+                </Component>
+            </Directory>
+        </Directory>
+    </StandardDirectory>
+
+    <!-- Install: Run sunshine-setup.ps1 with -Action install, add -Silent if UILevel <= 3 (silent/basic UI) -->
+    <CustomAction Id="CA_SunshineInstall" Directory="INSTALL_ROOT" ExeCommand="powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File &quot;[INSTALL_ROOT]scripts\sunshine-setup.ps1&quot; -Action install" Execute="deferred" Return="ignore" Impersonate="no" />
+    <CustomAction Id="CA_SunshineInstallSilent" Directory="INSTALL_ROOT" ExeCommand="powershell.exe -WindowStyle Hidden -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File &quot;[INSTALL_ROOT]scripts\sunshine-setup.ps1&quot; -Action install -Silent" Execute="deferred" Return="ignore" Impersonate="no" />
+
+    <!-- Uninstall: Run sunshine-setup.ps1 with -Action uninstall, add -Silent if UILevel <= 3 (silent/basic UI) -->
+    <CustomAction Id="CA_SunshineUninstall" Directory="INSTALL_ROOT" ExeCommand="powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File &quot;[INSTALL_ROOT]scripts\sunshine-setup.ps1&quot; -Action uninstall" Execute="deferred" Return="ignore" Impersonate="no" />
+    <CustomAction Id="CA_SunshineUninstallSilent" Directory="INSTALL_ROOT" ExeCommand="powershell.exe -WindowStyle Hidden -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File &quot;[INSTALL_ROOT]scripts\sunshine-setup.ps1&quot; -Action uninstall -Silent" Execute="deferred" Return="ignore" Impersonate="no" />
+
+    <InstallExecuteSequence>
+        <!-- Run installation script after files are installed -->
+        <!-- UILevel > 3 means Full UI (interactive), UILevel <= 3 means Silent/Basic UI -->
+        <Custom Action="CA_SunshineInstall" After="InstallFiles" Condition="NOT Installed AND UILevel &gt; 3" />
+        <Custom Action="CA_SunshineInstallSilent" After="InstallFiles" Condition="NOT Installed AND UILevel &lt;= 3" />
+
+        <!-- Run uninstallation script before files are removed -->
+        <Custom Action="CA_SunshineUninstall" Before="RemoveFiles" Condition="REMOVE=&quot;ALL&quot; AND UILevel &gt; 3" />
+        <Custom Action="CA_SunshineUninstallSilent" Before="RemoveFiles" Condition="REMOVE=&quot;ALL&quot; AND UILevel &lt;= 3" />
+    </InstallExecuteSequence>
+
+    <!-- We need this in order to actually run our custom actions, but let's hide it -->
+    <Feature Id="RunSunshineInstallScripts" Title="Run Sunshine Installation Scripts" Level="1" Display="hidden">
+       <ComponentRef Id="ApplicationShortcutRoot" />
+       <ComponentRef Id="ApplicationShortcut" />
+       <ComponentRef Id="DocumentationShortcut" />
+       <ComponentRef Id="WebsiteShortcut" />
+       <ComponentRef Id="SupportShortcut" />
+    </Feature>
+  </Fragment>
+</Wix>
diff --git a/cmake/prep/build_version.cmake b/cmake/prep/build_version.cmake
@@ -56,11 +56,11 @@ else()
         if(NOT GIT_DESCRIBE_ERROR_CODE)
             MESSAGE("Sunshine Branch: ${GIT_DESCRIBE_BRANCH}")
             if(NOT GIT_DESCRIBE_BRANCH STREQUAL "master")
-                set(PROJECT_VERSION ${PROJECT_VERSION}.${GIT_DESCRIBE_VERSION})
+                set(PROJECT_VERSION ${PROJECT_VERSION}-${GIT_DESCRIBE_VERSION})
                 MESSAGE("Sunshine Version: ${GIT_DESCRIBE_VERSION}")
             endif()
             if(GIT_IS_DIRTY)
-                set(PROJECT_VERSION ${PROJECT_VERSION}.dirty)
+                set(PROJECT_VERSION ${PROJECT_VERSION}-dirty)
                 MESSAGE("Git tree is dirty!")
             endif()
         else()

diff --git a/docs/building.md b/docs/building.md
@@ -156,6 +156,8 @@ dependencies=(
 pacman -S "${dependencies[@]}"
 ```
 
+To create a WiX installer, you also need to install [.NET](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download).
+
 ### Clone
 Ensure [git](https://git-scm.com) is installed on your system, then clone the repository using the following command:
 
@@ -198,9 +200,12 @@ ninja -C build
       ```}
   }}
   @tab{Windows | @tabs{
-    @tab{Installer | ```bash
+    @tab{NSIS Installer | ```bash
       cpack -G NSIS --config ./build/CPackConfig.cmake
       ```}
+    @tab{WiX Installer | ```bash
+      cpack -G WIX --config ./build/CPackConfig.cmake
+      ```}
     @tab{Portable | ```bash
       cpack -G ZIP --config ./build/CPackConfig.cmake
       ```}

diff --git a/docs/getting_started.md b/docs/getting_started.md
@@ -331,14 +331,20 @@ brew uninstall sunshine
 
 #### Installer (recommended)
 
+> [!CAUTION]
+> The msi installer is preferred moving forward. Before using a different type of installer, you should manually
+> uninstall the previous installation.
+
 1. Download and install
+   [Sunshine-Windows-AMD64-installer.msi](https://github.com/LizardByte/Sunshine/releases/latest/download/Sunshine-Windows-AMD64-installer.msi)
    [Sunshine-Windows-AMD64-installer.exe](https://github.com/LizardByte/Sunshine/releases/latest/download/Sunshine-Windows-AMD64-installer.exe)
 
 > [!TIP]
 > Installer logs can be found in the following locations.<br>
 > | File | log paths |
 > | ---- | --------- |
 > | .exe | `%%PROGRAMFILES%/Sunshine/install.log`<br>`%%TEMP%/Sunshine/logs/install/` |
+> | .msi | `%%TEMP%/Sunshine/logs/install/` |
 
 > [!CAUTION]
 > You should carefully select or unselect the options you want to install. Do not blindly install or