How to find 'product_id' for the 'win_package' Ansible module?

Question

I'm tried to automate installation of a range of programs, including 7-zip, Adobe Reader, Beyond Compare, etc, for about 30 different programs.

For the first 2, I was able to find something that worked for product_id. Adobe Reader required hunting through the registry, trying stuff, and eventually getting lucky.

For Beyond Compare, I'm stuck. Spent hours searching through the registry and trying different things. Whatever I try, the module re-install b/c it doesn't recognize the product id.

I've also tried finding some mysterious MSI file, as per various forums recommendations, but one doesn't seem to exist for Beyond Compare.

In addition, I've tried a LOT of Powershell commands to try to gather more detailed installation information, but still with no luck (winget, Get-WmiObject, etc).

What am I missing? Is there another way to get the product_id for installers with no MSI file, or post installation? Is making this module idempotent a lost cause?

- name: Install Beyond Compare
  ansible.windows.win_package:
    path: C:\temp\BCompare-4.4.3.26655.exe
    product_id: ?
    arguments: /VERYSILENT /NORESTAR

For product_id, I've tried a range of things:

• BCompare
• BeyondCompare
• Scooter Software
• Beyond Compare 4
• Beyond Compare 4.4.3

Research Links

• Where the MSI file is copied after the installation?
• ansible.windows/blob/main/plugins/modules/win_package.ps1
• Ansible Issue #19996: "win_package: should not require product_id information"
• https://www.codetwo.com/kb/msi-from-exe/
• https://bobcares.com/blog/powershell-list-installed-software/

Answer 1

Right after I post this, I FINALLY figured it out ... Gonna leave this in case it helps someone.

• 7-zip product_id: 7-Zip
• Acrobat Reader product_id: '{AC76BA86-7AD7-1033-7B44-AC0F074E4100}'
• Beyond Compare product_id: BeyondCompare4_is1

How I found Beyond Compare's product_id:

• Windows Key + cmd
• regedit > enter
• Drilled down into Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\BeyondCompare4_is1
• Looked around for a subfolder that was probably right. The name of the folder worked.