Installaware Msi Builder - Advanced Msi Setups Made Easy

By Author: Candice Jones
Total Articles: 19
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InstallAware is the innovation leader in Windows Installer technology, providing unequalled capabilities like 5x better compression and WebAware installation technologyâ„¢ for the smallest download packages, unlimited Web Updates, and hybrid 64/32 bit MSIs that target all versions of Windows.

Powerful - Yet Easy To Use
Skip the hassles of manually populating MSI tables or troubleshooting custom actions. InstallAware provides all the power of Windows Installer technology, with the simplicity of an advanced poi's unique WebAware technology provides:

* Powerful Compression - Up to 5x better than typical MSI setups InstallAware aligns redundant bits in your setup using BCJ2 filters and trims the size of each file with the industry-leading LZMA compression algorithm.

* Smaller Dependencies - Recompress Merge Modules and MSI-dependencies InstallAware's MSI Decompressor allows you to unpack the existing CAB file streams and then apply InstallAware's superior compression. InstallAware reduces Merge Module size by up to 60%.

* WebAware Components - Only download files if they're required on the target ...
... InstallAware's unique WebAware Components allow your setup to call out to a URL to retrieve any required file or set of files - keeping the application components, runtimes, or dependencies that already exist on an end user's system from being needlessly downloaded by the user.

* 1-Click Patching - One-step MSP-generation with byte-level file differencing Just point-and-click on your old and new setups, click Build Patch, and InstallAware automatically generates a native Windows Installer (.MSP) file and packs it with InstallAware's industry-leading compression.

* Unlimited Web Updates - Create and deploy automatic update packages. With standard Microsoft behaviors and appearance, InstallAware web updates integrate with the Windows Task Scheduler to retrieve updates and install them automatically, if selected by the user. Updates can be minimized to the system tray, with user alerts. Plus no additional fees are ever charged for usage.

Perfect for Power Users
Though InstallAware is simple enough to use without programming skills, it provides an unmatched set of features for the advanced setup developer.

* Two-Way Integrated IDE
Use the visual designer to instantly and automatically generate MSIcode scripts, then switch to the MSIcode view to control every aspect of the setup. All code changes are reflected instantly in the visual designer.

* MSIcode
InstallAware's powerful MSIcode manages Windows Installer conditions, installation sequences and syntax with a human-readable setup script that you build with drag-and-drop commands and dialogs.

* Hybrid 64/32 Bit Windows Support
Only InstallAware allows you to ship a single hybrid MSI that targets 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Windows simultaneously, switching at runtime.

* IIS Support
Install and configure IIS websites, virtual folders, and application servers. Now with support for IIS version 7.

* Extensive Database Support
InstallAware connects to and runs SQL statements on Microsoft SQL Server, My SQL, Oracle, and Oracle .NET without requiring any database client software. Now includes SQL Server instance detection.

* Setup Repackaging
Simplify setup migration by capturing changes made to a system by your legacy installer. Also, convert third-party installations to MSI.

* Driver Install Frameworks (DIFx) Support
Install drivers on x86, x64, and ia64 platforms. Optionally check for presence of the device. Manage signature warnings and Add/Remove Program entries. Complete sample project included.

Create the Most Impressive Setups
InstallAware's advanced interface tools will give your users the best initial-setup experience in the industry.

* Stunning Setup Themes
InstallAware's 15 unique and highly customizable setup themes let you fully support Windows Vista appearance standards.

* Simple Custom Dialogs
Powerful dialog-editing tools let you handle any task. Build interactive progress indicators, Flash-animated billboards, tabbed navigation, and even capture progress from nested setups like the .NET Runtime.

You can find out more about InstallAware MSI Builder at http://www.installaware.com/landing/msi-builder.htm