Advanced Installer is intended to build installation packages for Windows operating system. The tool can create not only MSI and EXE files but also other types of packages. It has a modern and intuitive interface. Despite the evident complexities of the operations it supports, you will not feel overwhelmed. It is enough to select the kind of project and let the corresponding wizard lead the way. Yet, if you have any difficulties, it is possible to consult its excellent online user guide.
Besides from the desktop, the program can be used from the command line as well as a Visual Studio extension. It can build a wide range of packages. In this regard, there are installer templates for Visual Studio, ASP.NET, Real Studio, Visual Basic, .NET, RAD Studio and client/server applications, among others. Likewise, it allows creating Java applications, patches, add-ins, merge modules, as well as apps for Windows Store and Windows Mobile. Besides, the tool lets you convert between installer types. What is more, you can publish the apps on the Cloud for easy distribution.
When you create an installation package, you can add several identifying details as well as software identification. Similarly, you can set the target folders. It is good that the installer can detect and upgrade outdated versions which avoids installing two different versions of the same product on the same machine.
As to security, the program lets you use a license key or configure a trial period for shareware products. Fortunately, it also uses a strong standard (SHA256) to digitally sign the package and protect its integrity.
Good news is that the interface of the installation package is quite customizable. For instance, there are various themes to choose from. Also, you can build multi-language installers. Besides, you can have the package display a sequence of images while it is being installed.
To sum up, Advanced Installer is probably the best software of its type out there. It comes with multiple features, which can even be extended through writing your own code in various popular programming languages. Although it is good that the program can be evaluated for free, this is absolutely an expensive product and it is way beyond the reach of many users, particularly those working on low budgets.
v15.9 [Apr 27, 2019]
New features:
- Support for asset packages when building MSIX bundle.
- Support for Windows Sandbox.
- Early build validations for MSIX in Windows Store projects.
- Support for asp.net website and web applications for Visual Studio extension.
- Support for adding temporary files using Command Line.
- Predefined prerequisites for "SQL Server Express 2016 & 2017" offline installer.
- Predefined prerequisites for "SQL Server Express LocalDB 2016 & 2017".
- Predefined prerequisites: Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2016
Enhancements:
- Command line implementation for the "Text File Update" operation.
- The Repackager can run a monitoring session without requiring an EXE setup.
- Support "Custom Project Template" type for /newproject command line.
- InfoTip in Capabilities view with the capability flag name.
- Run MSIX package from Advanced Installer
Bug fixes:
- Server and Desktop checkbox changes for MSIX/APPX builds are not saved in AI.
- Data from Asset Generator is lost when downgrading the project.
- Splash Screen and Badge Logo selection buttons are still visible after their respective group was collapsed on high DPI.
- Some ribbon icons are not correctly displayed on High Contrast Themes.
- Automatically add the custom action "AI_ResolveLocalizedCredentials" in the project if the properties it localizes are used for sharing permissions too..
- Properties with empty values from Install Parameters cannot be deleted; the comment field is not copied.
- IIS Web Site Browse UI is not correctly displayed on high DPI.
- AppX signing fails when "Most suited certificate" option is used in Digital Signature.
- Desktop Bridge App Debug not working.
- Validate date picker in Game Explorer.
- "Check predefined launch conditions before searching for prerequisites" option prevents the MSI launch.
- Need to select ICE validation CUB file 2 times, when you specify custom .cub files..
- Medium Tiles from Windows Store project are not kept when using a custom name.
- Images from Visual Assets page are not restored when changing the build schema.
- PowerShell custom action copy&paste overwrite problem.
- EXE package does not work if "Limit to basic" is set and EUI is set to "Always".
- Icon path is incorrectly imported when importing an .ISL project file.
- Path group title is displayed on MSM project file even if the option is not available on that project type.
- Missing components of folders with "Create folder on target machine" flag for Install Shield project import.
- Update Dependencies order after converting to Win10 from Win8 or Win8.1.
- Signing error after adding elevation for some files.
- Build error triggered when changing builds in windows store projects.
- PSF - Trace log is empty when building x64 APPX/MSIX packages.
- Visual Studio 2015 solution import is not working if VS 2015 and 2017 are present on the machine.
- Fixed Launch Condition View for Visual Studio Extension.
- The "Candidate target component is empty" is thrown when trying to create a shortcut to external file.
- Folder is still visible in AI while in Visual Studio is removed.
- Setup process waits indefinitely and hangs after launching a "Launch file" custom action.
- Advanced Installer extension for Visual Studio fails to save the setup project.
- Fix crash after editing any condition from AI_AppSearchEx table
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