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Automate your Application Packaging Process

November 3, 2023
AdminStudio 2023 R2 lets you create automation workflows, saving you time and effort by automating repetitive tasks.

AdminStudio is a complete application readiness solution that helps you identify and mitigate issues before deploying. You can use AdminStudio tools to repackage applications and convert packages to virtual formats, then thoroughly test them to ensure that they are ready for deployment across your Enterprise.

Version 2023 R2 includes a new feature called Package Automation Workflows which allows you to configure a series of steps that will be carried out automatically when a new version of an application becomes available. This can be useful for automating tasks such as importing the package, testing, wrapping, converting, and publishing it. Multiple Package Automation Workflows can be configured, with a default set for all new package requests. This makes it easier than ever to automate your application packaging process and ensure that new versions are processed quickly and efficiently.

To see a full list of what's new in version 2023 R2, see our release notes.

AdminStudio is available to buy in the following products:

Safely Test Installations Directly within Windows Sandbox

October 9, 2023
Advanced Installer 21.1 allows you to utilize a secure and isolated environment for your installation testing needs.

Advanced Installer by Caphyon is a powerful and easy-to-use Windows Installer authoring tool that helps you create reliable installation packages for your software applications. It can be used to create MSI, EXE, and MSIX packages.

Microsoft Windows Sandbox is a virtualization feature that creates a temporary, isolated desktop environment where you can run software safely, without risking your host operating system. It is similar to a virtual machine, but it is much more lightweight and starts up much faster.

Testing installation packages with Advanced Installer 21.1 is as simple as selecting the "Run in Windows Sandbox" option. Windows Sandbox is much faster than traditional virtual machines, so you can test your installations much more quickly. It is also a secure environment that isolates your tests from your host system, so any problems that occur during testing will not impact your production environment. It is also easy to use and manage, so you can create and discard sandboxes as needed without having to worry about managing or deleting virtual machines.

To see a full list of what’s new in version 21.1, see our release notes

For more information, visit our Advanced Installer product pages:

Creating Scripts to Uninstall Software

July 3, 2023
Help users uninstall applications in an automated, efficient, and consistent way with scriptable uninstallation.

Scripting uninstallations allows you to automate the software uninstallation process using scripts or command-line instructions. Instead of manually removing software, it allows for the creation and execution of scripts that can uninstall applications in a predictable and reliable manner. This approach enables system administrators or users to streamline the uninstallation process, saving time and effort, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple software installations need to be managed.

The following installation tools support scriptable uninstallation:

  • InstallShield by Revenera allows you to create custom uninstallation scripts to remove software installations, providing flexibility and control over the process.
  • Advanced Installer Enterprise by Caphyon offers a powerful command-line interface that enables scriptable uninstallation to automate the removal of software.
  • AdminStudio Enterprise by Flexera is a comprehensive installation tool that supports uninstallation scripting, making it easier to automate and manage the uninstall process.
  • Setup Factory by Indigo Rose Software is a versatile installation tool with scripting support, allowing for efficient removal of software installations.

For an in-depth analysis of features and price, visit our comparison of installation tools.

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Customizing MSI packages with MST Transforms

June 19, 2023
Change the behavior of an MSI package, including the way that it installs, uninstalls, or upgrades.

Creating an MST (Microsoft Transform file format) involves creating a file that contains modifications to be made to MSI installation packages. These transforms optimize the installation process by tailoring settings and configurations to suit specific target environments. By using MST transforms, developers can efficiently adapt their software installations for different systems, ensuring a smooth and seamless deployment experience while reducing overall costs and resource usage.

Several installation tools provide MST transform functionality, including:

  • InstallShield by Revenera offers advanced features, including support for creating MST transforms. With its intuitive interface and comprehensive functionality, InstallShield enables developers to optimize software installations by customizing settings and configurations to suit different target environments.
  • Advanced Installer Architect by Caphyon supports the creation of MST transforms which helps developers create efficient installations tailored to specific needs. With a wide array of customization options and an MST editor, it ensures precise control over software deployment.
  • PACE Suite by Infopulse includes the capability to create MST transforms. PACE Suite streamlines the process of preparing software packages by offering intuitive tools and automation features, simplifying the creation of efficient and customizable installations.

For an in-depth analysis of features and price, visit our comparison of installation tools.

Compare Installation Tools