Install software: choose .msi or .exe?

Usually msi packages are provided for system administrators who would have the need to deploy the software to several terminals over a network.

The results are no different from using an executable, but msi packages sometimes do have additional options such as doing silent or pre-configured installs.

If you are not a system administrator, use the executable.

MSI files are relational databases and used by the Microsoft Installation Service. This service installs applications onto the computer. MSI files offer far more flexibility for application installation and maintenance than older scripted executable programs could ever provide, thus MSI files are the current recommended method for installations on Windows.

There is no real advantage of .exe over .msi other than if you use Winrar (or some others), you can usually extract all files from a .msi file, without needing to install anything.