
There are several ways to and also a number of different solutions to create the setup file for end users to get the product installed onto their systems. Inno Setup, InstallShield and Null Scriptable Install System (NSIS) are software that help create a setup installer, another is Microsoft’s own Windows Installer. Known as MSI files because of the file extension, Windows Installer files are used extensively by Microsoft for updating and installing Windows and other related software, they also have issues such as.Windows Installer software components are integrated into Windows as standard and MSI packages can be used by system administrators and over networks for remote installations. Many other developers also use MSI installers to pack their programs, often an MSI is embedded inside an executable setup installer so it’s usage is invisible to the end user. Sometimes even when the program itself might not necessarily need installation because there’s only a few files, an MSI is used.If you are having issues installing a software package as an MSI file or want to get at the files inside, perhaps to make the program portable, there are ways to do it. Believe it or not, I need to use some of those tons of the utilities you post every day. Storing them is not a problem, but even if I try to order them it’s kinda difficult to remember where they are and even what they do.
They are just too much, maybe or is it just because I read your posts every day and I download everything? Anyway, it’s a while I’m reading your posts, I must congratulate you. I also grabbed some free licenses, wow. I’ll be continuing doing this. Also, please continue you too writing. Keep up the good work, young man!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
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— and you want to share it with the world? Well, you could compress the files into a single ZIP file and distribute that.Or you can be fancy and create an installer EXE instead.We’ll be covering three different methods in this post: a self-extracting package, a simple installer using the built-in IExpress, and an advanced installer using the customizable Inno Setup. Quick Method: Using 7-ZipYou probably already use 7-Zip for Were you ever faced with a.rar file and wondered how to open it? Fortunately, managing ZIP files and other compressed archives is simple with the right tools. Here is what you need to know., and you probably already know that 7-Zip can create archive files, but did you know that you can also use it to create an EXE file that acts like an installer?It’s called an SFX archive (“self-extracting”) and works by compressing all of your end files together, then embedding a special EXE file inside the archive that knows how to extract everything. In other words, the recipient can extract the SFX archive (which appears as an EXE file itself), even if they don’t have the right software, which can happen with formats like 7Z, RAR, TAR, and ZIP. How to create your own SFX archive with 7-Zip:.
Prepare all of your files and directories within a single main directory and name the directory whatever you wish. Right-click on the directory and select 7-Zip Add to archive. Under Options, enable Create SFX Archive and select the following settings Archive Format: 7z Compression Level: Normal Compression Method: LZMA2 Dictionary Size: 16 MB Word Size: 32 Solid Block Size: 2 GB.
Click OK. Done!Note that SFX archives aren’t true installer files.
They don’t place the extracted files into a designated target directory. They don’t modify the Windows Registry. They don’t create install logs and they don’t show up as “installed software” in the Uninstall app. They are literally archive files dressed up as EXE files.Download — (Free) Easy Method: Using IExpressIExpress is a utility that comes bundled with versions of Windows starting with Windows XP and beyond. The utility comes with a front-end graphical interface (called IExpress Wizard), but you can also create installer files using hand-scripted Self Extraction Directive (SED) files. We recommend the Wizard.
Because of these oddities, we recommend using the method below instead. Recommended Method: Using Inno SetupInno Setup is an 'Open source' is a term that’s thrown around a lot these days. You may know that certain things are open source, like Linux and Android, but do you know what it entails? What is open. That’s been in active development since 1997. It was created partly in response to the at-the-time subpar InstallShield Express. Since then, it has become the installer creator of choice for those who don’t care to explore proprietary options.Its biggest draw is its flexibility.
Inno Setup uses script files with an ISS extension (“Inno Setup Script”) to customize various aspects of the installer: which files are incorporated, where the installation happens, whether to create shortcuts, etc. ISS files use a similar formatting to INI files and can be generated using the Inno Setup Wizard. How to create your own installer using Inno Setup:. Launch the Inno Setup Compiler app. In the welcome prompt, select Create a new script file using the Script Wizard.
Enter your Application Name and Application Version. Optionally, you can also include Application Publisher and Application Website details. Click Next. Select the Destination base folder, which defaults to Program Files. Enter an Application folder name, which is the name of main directory where your installation files will go. Click Next.
For Application main executable file, browse and select the main EXE file that will launch your app. If you aren’t installing an app, enable The application doesn’t have a main executable file.
Then add files and folders to your installation with the Add files and Add folders buttons. Click Next. On the Application Shortcuts page, leave the defaults or change them to fit your preferences. They’re all self-explanatory.
Extract Files From Jdk Installer
Click Next. On the Application Documentation page, you can point to up to three TXT files that will be displayed throughout the end user’s installation process. Typically these will be LICENSE.TXT, INSTALL.TXT, and README.TXT, but they can be whatever you want.
Click Next. On the Setup Languages page, keep English but feel free to add as many other languages as you wish. Click Next. On the Compiler Settings page, you can customize the installer EXE file: Custom compiler output folder is where the resulting installer EXE file will be placed. Compiler output base file name is what the EXE file will be called. The default setting is setup.exe.
Custom Setup icon file is the icon that will be used for the installer EXE file. This must be an ICO file, which you can Customizing Windows icons can be frustrating. Luckily, we did the work for you! Here is a complete guide to changing any Windows icon, regardless of location. Setup password will protect unauthorized users from using your installer.

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Leave it blank to disable this feature. Click Finish. When prompted to compile the new script, click Yes. When prompted to save the script, select No if this is a one-time installer file or select Yes if you plan to modify or update it later. Done!Download — (Free) Which Method Is Right for You?If your software is extremely simple or if you’re only going to distribute to a limited number of people, go with the 7-Zip method.
It’s easy, fast, and requires almost no technical expertise.If your software is somewhat simple and you want to present a real installation wizard for your end users, go with the IExpress method.If your software is complex and you have a lot of technical experience under your belt, go with the Inno Setup method. It’s the most flexible, most powerful, and doesn’t suffer from the issues that plague IExpress.Which method will you be using? Are there any other methods that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!Image Credit: sdecoret, DaGa5 via Shutterstock.comExplore more about:,.