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

• 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.

[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.

[stale[bot]]

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.