Cannot build msi packages on macOS Catalina (10.15) (nsis is fine)

[ndtreviv]

• Version: 22.2.0
• Electron Version: 6.0.10
• Electron Type (current, beta, nightly): current
• Electron Updater version: 4.1.2
• Target: msi

I can create an nsis package (MyApp Setup.exe) on macOS Catalina with the configuration:

    "win": {
      "icon": "build/icons/icon.ico",
      "sign": "./electron/winsign.js",
      "publisherName": "MyCompany Ltd"
    },
    "nsis": {
      "perMachine": false
    },

using this command:

electron-builder build --win -c.extraMetadata.main=build/electron/main.js --publish never

BUT

I cannot create an msi target. If I try with this configuration:

 "win": {
      "target": "msi",
      "icon": "build/icons/icon.ico",
      "sign": "./electron/winsign.js",
      "publisherName": "MyCompany Ltd"
    },
    "nsis": {
      "perMachine": false
    },

I get this error:

  • building        target=MSI arch=x64 file=dist/MyApp 0.3.4.msi
  ⨯ macOS Catalina doesn't support 32-bit executables and as result Wine cannot run Windows 32-bit applications too  
  ⨯ /Users/me/gitrepos/myapp/node_modules/app-builder-bin/mac/app-builder exited with code ERR_ELECTRON_BUILDER_CANNOT_EXECUTE

I've also tried with the --x64 flag to no joy.

I need to be able to build an msi for our users. Actually, I need to be able to build a silent installer package AND an msi, but that's part of another ticket.

How can I get building msi-s working?

This is similar to #4305 but people there are building nsis, not msis.

[ndtreviv]

I have tried going the route of using the docker container to build the application, but alas: code signing does not work.

I'm signing my code with an EV Cert made available from an eToken, but the docker container can never see that eToken (docker/for-mac#3110 (comment)), so that will never work.

[Ayzrian]

I think it is expected that you can not build .exe file on MacO.
Please use Windows machine to product Windows artifacts e.g. MSI.

[Ayzrian]

FYI, the logs say the same thing
⨯ macOS Catalina doesn't support 32-bit executables and as result Wine cannot run Windows 32-bit applications too

[ndtreviv]

I think it is expected that you can not build .exe file on MacO.
Please use Windows machine to product Windows artifacts e.g. MSI.

This is not correct. I can successfully build a windows exe (nsis package) from my mac. I cannot build an msi. Something in the process attempts to run a 32-bit application to generate the msi, and Catalina doesn't support 32 bit apps anymore, and that is what the logs are saying.

Apparently wine64 is a thing now, so getting that working here should fix it, I would have thought, if that was the issue (see #4305 (comment)). However it is odd that I can build the silent installer exe, but not an msi...

[BoBoooooo]

the same question..

[stale]

Is this still relevant? If so, what is blocking it? Is there anything you can do to help move it forward?

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs.