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DevelopmentWindowsInstaller

What are the best installers for windows programs?

14

Options
Considered

220

User
Recs.

2 mins

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

The Best 1 of 13 OptionsWhy?

Best installers for windows programs	Price	Platforms	Last Updated
93 Inno setup	Free	Windows	Apr 21, 2021
-- Advanced Installer	Free / paid	Windows	Apr 20, 2021
-- Actual installer	Free / paid	Windows	Mar 5, 2021
-- ClickOnce	Free	Windows	Apr 6, 2021
-- Setup Factory	$395	Windows	Apr 8, 2021

Inno setup

Top Pro

Free

No cost, just download and install. See More

Top Con

Pascal

For programmers used to C and C#, the Pascal scripting syntax is something that takes a while to get used to. See More

RickZeeland's Experience

Inno Setup rivals other commercial installers in features and power. Using the wizard it is easy to create a simple installer, but for more complex installers the Pascal scripting engine can be used. See More

Specs

Platforms:Windows

Top Pro

Flexible

Top Con

On uninstall does not check file content

If the file content has been changed after installation, the file is uninstalled without warning the user. See More

Top Pro

Debugger

The (generated) script can be run in Inno Setup and it is possible to set breakpoints to debug the code. See More

Top Pro

Easy to learn

Top Pro

Pascal scripting engine

Integrated Pascal scripting engine option for advanced run-time install and uninstall customization. See More

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12 Other Options Considered

Advanced Installer

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Top Pro

Flexible

Flexible installer that supports different types of installation. See More

Top Con

Very little control

Provides very little control to the user and is limited in several features. See More

CommunicativeOceanus's Experience

This is the easiest of them all to get up and running. There are tons of options too in case you want to get fancy. See More

Specs

Platforms:Windows

Top Pro

Deployment options

Single MSI package or unbundled to run from CD or DVD, or online installs from an URL. See More

RickZeeland's Experience

Windows installer for installing, updating, and configuring your applications. Has support for ASP.NET and Microsoft Store. See More

Top Pro

Plugins

Plugins for continuous integration with Jenkins, Bamboo and TeamCity included in the free version. See More

Sad Cat's Experience

Used it to make an installer See More

InstallShield

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AdminStudio

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Specs

Platforms:Windows, Mac, Mobile

WiX Toolset

Add Video or Image

Top Pro

Generates MSI

Top Con

Very steep learning curve

CharmingShara's Experience

Have used Visual Studio Installer projects, InstallShield Express, InstallShield, and WiX. I prefer WiX. See More

Top Pro

Can use C# for custom actions

Top Con

The simplest tasks become horribly complex

MellowPamola's Experience

A lot of things are way harder than they have to be, which makes it worse than a zip and a script. For example it can't remember user choices for an installation and you have to use a hack (store information about it in registry) to retrieve them for repair. Also since it is not a script but "declarative" it is way harder to debug it. It can't nativly embed other msi files, you have to use an extension which you can't customize. See More

Top Pro

Stores install source code as XML - source control friendly

Top Con

Slow to build

Top Pro

Can do most anything

Top Con

Nonsensical localization system

Top Pro

Active user community

Top Con

Slow to run

Top Pro

Officially supported by Microsoft

InnoSetup

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