The issue here is primarily not Windows Installer at all, it's that Visual Studio setups don't offer IDE support for a lot of its functionality. In this case Visual Studio doesn't let you run custom actions in the UI sequence to validate serial numbers, which is why there is this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/253683/en-us

The masked edit template is a sanity check that the keystrokes are of the correct type.

If you want extra features in your setups, Stefan maintains an excellent comparison of tools here:

http://installsite.org/pages/en/msi/authoring.htm

and all I can say is that you're supposed to choose the tool that fits your requirements, not choose a tool and then find out that it doesn't do what you want it to.

Hi,

I am in the same position as like of you. I too think the same, the template which they give is too weak, possibly any one can break it. Also if they enter zero values alone, it accept it as an valid key. Did you find any solution regarding this? Please guide me if you found any solution.

Thanks in advance

Any serial number validation in an msi setup can easily be removed by editing the msi file. For secureprotection you must validate the serial number in your application itself.

The issue here is primarily not Windows Installer at all, it's that Visual Studio setups don't offer IDE support for a lot of its functionality. In this case Visual Studio doesn't let you run custom actions in the UI sequence to validate serial numbers, which is why there is this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/253683/en-us

The masked edit template is a sanity check that the keystrokes are of the correct type.

If you want extra features in your setups, Stefan maintains an excellent comparison of tools here:

http://installsite.org/pages/en/msi/authoring.htm

and all I can say is that you're supposed to choose the tool that fits your requirements, not choose a tool and then find out that it doesn't do what you want it to.

so how can I change the serial number using the ocra software? I want to put a fix serial number that override the weak template...

Please... I finished my software and I must send the setup file to our client...