UAC Prompt: "If you Authenticode-sign your .msi package, Windows will show that as the name. Otherwise, you get MSI's temporary copy of it, which has a random name." (from Bob Arnson's answer here (WiX developer & overall master of conciseness).

So you need to get a digital code-signing certificate - if you don't have one - and then you will get rid of this problem once you sign the MSI package.

Technically you use the /d command line argument when executing signtool.exe to sign your MSI file (source - Scott Langham). I believe you specify the name you want displayed with this option. Also see this answer.

Code Signing Certificate & SmartScreen: Please see this answer for more details on signing, Installshield and the issue of trust and SmartScreen / Windows Defender (very important issue): How to add publisher in Installshield 2018.

A direct link to the Installshield help file: Digital Signing and Security.


Some Links (adding as reference for the community - shouldn't be needed for you):

  • The UAC prompt shows a temporary random Program Name for msi, can the correct name be displayed?
  • WIX-Installer MSI Publisher Unknown
  • Package signing , and digital certificate
  • WIX-Installer MSI Publisher Unknown
  • Odd 'Program name' when installing signed msi installer
  • Why do I still see publisher unknown with the UAC prompt?
  • How to pass the Windows Defender SmartScreen Protection?
  • How to avoid the Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting warning?
  • WiX: Digitally Sign BootStrapper project
  • signtool fail with Inno Setup with exit code 0x1
  • InnoSetup - fails to use global sign EV code signing
  • Is it possible to define a Windows Installer-uninstaller filename?