A zip self-extractor is a program that is attached to a zip file to allow the contents to be extracted without using a zip file reader such as Zipfocus or Winzip™. Self-extractors are often used to distribute software. In this case, files may be extracted into a temporary folder before a command is issued to initiate program installation. When installation is complete (or when the computer is restarted) the temporary folder is deleted.
Zip self-extractor programs are often called SFXs. They may also be called stub programs since they do not usually do anything useful unless attached to a zip file.
Main Features :
- Zipfusion can be used with any zip tools that create type 0/8/9 (stored/deflate/deflate64) format zip files.
- User Account Control (UAC) is fully supported on Windows Vista. Administrator privileges can be demanded immediately, on extraction, or on execution of a command (such as starting an installer). A second command can be executed with standard privileges when the first is complete.
- Appearance and behavior are controlled using a text file that is embedded in the zip file (but not extracted).
- An editor/tester/builder is included to facilitate the development process. Primary configuration values can be set using a graphical user interface whilst advanced values are set using the integrated text editor.
- When creating setup programs, files can be extracted into a temporary folder. When a temporary folder is used, extraction can be started automatically. Temporary folders can be deleted when the setup program finishes or when Windows is restarted.
- When extraction is complete Zipfusion can open any program or document of your choice.
- Zipfusion includes three self-extracting stub programs.
- The File Extractor and Installer stub programs are highly versatile and support many behavioral and visual options.
- The Microlight stub program, whilst much smaller, still has many features including allowing button captions and text labels to be adjusted.
- Zipfusion is free if used for non-commercial purposes.
- In addition to an interactive editor/tester/builder, Zipfusion also supports command-line access to its build functions. This allows it to be used on servers to dynamically build self-extractors on demand.
v6.5 [Jan 26, 2010]
1. Corrected problem that could cause non-standard color values to be ignored.
2. Added two new environments variables
- DIR_APPDATA : Typically (XP) C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data
- DRC_APPDATA : Typically (XP) C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data
3. The visual style has been updated and features for 64bit Windows have been added.
- A new configuration instruction 64bit intructs the stub to require a 64bit version of Windows.
- The banner area has been discontinued and all related statements are now ignored.
- A new statement CustomBorder has been added together with ColorTitle and ColorBorder.
- The Microlight and Installer stubs now include a white area above the buttons that can include an image - JPEG and GIF formats are recommended but other formats are supported.
- The File Extractor stub is now menu-driven.
- The default value of the Title is now determined by the ProductName and ProductVersion values.
4. Improved icon handling. Applies to file extractor stub only. Other stubs and the editor are unchanged.
5. Corrected a problem that could prevent the editor opening correctly.
6. Corrected a problem that caused the DIR_EXTRACT environment variable to not be set if UAC = Extract.
7. Corrected a problem when UseTempDir = false and UAC = Extract or UAC = Extract,Execute
8. Extraction to a user-selected destination directory now works correctly.
9. Corrected and clarified documentation for the Launch instruction.
Mall Creeps
