The WiX toolset lets developers create installers for Windows Installer, the Windows installation engine.
The core of WiX is a set of build tools that build Windows Installer packages using the same build concepts as the rest of your product: source code is compiled and then linked to create executables; in this case .exe setup bundles, .msi installation packages, .msm merge modules, and .msp patches. The WiX command-line build tools work with any automated build system. Also, MSBuild is supported from the command line, Visual Studio, and Team Build.
WiX includes several extensions that offer functionality beyond that of Windows Installer. For example, WiX can install IIS web sites, create SQL Server databases, and register exceptions in the Windows Firewall, among others.
With Burn, the WiX bootstrapper, you can create setup bundles that install prerequisites like the .NET Framework and other runtimes along with your own product. Burn lets you download packages or combine them into a single downloadable .exe.
The WiX SDK includes managed and native libraries that make it easier to write code that works with Windows Installer, including custom actions in both C# and C++.
WiX v3.10.2 is an important security release of the WiX toolset. All users of WiX's Burn engine should upgrade to WiX v3.10.2 as soon as possible. Special thanks to FireGiant for rapidly and responsibly addressing the issue. They have more details on their blog.
The WiX Web site now has a responsive design and shows off the new WiX logo, donated by FireGiant. Read more about it at the FireGiant blog.
Today WiX v3.10.1 was released as a recommended maintenance update to WiX v3.10. You can download it from here. Read more about the release at Rob's blog and Bob's blog.
The following blogs may have additional news about the progress of the WiX toolset: