Advanced Installer Enterprise Specification

  Architect Enterprise Professional
Basic Features
Installer and Uninstaller
Create packages that completely install and register, respectively uninstall and unregister, your application.
     
Always valid MSI 2.0/3.x/4.x/5.0 packages
Each written and unwritten Windows Installer rule, recommendation and best practice is carefully followed.
     
Wizard for Simple Project creation
Use the provided wizard to create complete Windows Installer MSI installs in mere minutes.
     
Add/Remove (Control Panel) customization
Customize your application's information listed in the "Add/Remove Programs" page of the Control Panel.
     
Per-user and per-machine installs
Select which type of installation better suits your needs: per-user or per-machine if the user is Administrator.
     
Limit to Basic UI
For unassisted or automated installs: display only a progress dialog and the eventual error message boxes.
     
Project files in XML format
They can be easily checked into a version control system and shared between multiple developers.
     
Template projects
Create templates based on your current project and ready-to-use for your future projects.
     
Project Solutions
Simplify the process of working with multiple projects by having them into a solution and managing them all from one single place.
     
Context sensitive help and tutorials
Illustrated, integrated help and tutorials are provided for a simple and user-friendly learning of the application.
     
64-bit packages
Create packages that run and install on 32-bit processors or on the latest 64-bit CPUs from Intel and AMD.
     
Optionally force rebooting
Prompt the user for a reboot even after a successful install, supporting sensitive components that require it.
     
Formatted fields
Use variables and parameters almost anywhere in your installs. They will be resolved at build or run time.
     
Visual formatted editing
Edit controls for Formatted and Condition fields offer reference auto-completion, highlight, errors and resolved value hints.
     
Run and log MSIs
Launch your MSI package while printing the full Windows Installer log. Syntax highlighting and log summary.
     
Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista and UAC installs
From Windows Vista to Windows 11, create perfect installations that target the operating system's features and security model.
     
Visual Studio Integration
Use the Advanced Installer Visual Studio extension to easily access your installer directly from your IDE.
     
Build cache
Enjoy faster development and quicker installer build times with by caching and reusing unchanged archives.
     
PowerShell Integration
Create and configure your projects using PowerShell commands.
     
Installer Analytics (subscription required)
Installation data
Get essential KPIs for you application, and see how to improve your retention and user experience.
     
User data
Know your audience by getting information about active users, language preferences, platform specs, uninstall reasons and impact of updates.
     
Issue detection
Detect issues such as blockers, errors, stability and missing prerequisites before they impact your user base.
     
Custom properties
Use Custom Properties functionality to track any property that you declare within your setup package such as the package version or edition that each of your users has installed, or any control which has a property attached to it.
     
Application Resources
Files and folders
Install and uninstall files, create and remove folders. Visually define your distribution tree.
     
Create shortcuts
Shortcuts to your files, external files, commands, URLs. Placed anywhere: Desktop, Start Programs menu, etc.
     
Windows 11/10/8 support for shortcuts
Enable Windows 11/10/8 behavior like: "Pin to Taskbar", "Prevent auto Pin to Start", "Disable Pin to Start" and "Run as administrator".
     
Registry keys and entries
Install and uninstall; create or import them from your Registry or REG files straight into your MSI package.
     
Environment variables
User or system environment variables to be created, appended or prepended to existing ones upon install.
     
Font registration
Register fonts into the OS, specify registration names for non-TrueType fonts.
     
Auto register files
Auto registration, for files that support it (such as DLLs and OCXs), can be scheduled at install time.
     
Merge Modules into your installation
Create self-contained MSI packages, by including and configuring the required merge modules.
     
Application Tiles
Customize how application tiles look in the Start Menu and Start Screen.
     
Handling Versions
Upgrading older installs automatically
Older versions of your product found on the user's machine can be removed before installing the newer one.
     
Prevent installs of older over newer versions
Advanced Installer will not let the user install older packages over newer ones.
     
Side-by-side installs
Create packages (for different versions of your application) that can be installed simultaneously and run side by side.
     
Installer Conditions
Prevent installing on unsupported OS's
Easily specify which Operating Systems are supported, preventing the installation on the other ones.
     
MSI launch conditions
Conditions that have to be met (applications, frameworks, files, versions, etc.) in order for your package to run.
     
Smart condition editor
Quickly and easily edit Windows Installer conditions. Comes with auto completion, property values detection, predefined examples, multiple level undo, etc.
     
Import
Import Visual Studio Setup projects
Quickly convert your existing Microsoft Visual Studio Setup projects to Advanced Installer.
     
Import InstallShield LE projects
Quickly upgrade your existing Visual Studio 2010 InstallShield LE installer projects to Advanced Installer.
     
Import WISE projects
Create installation packages by importing WISE projects.
     
Import WiX projects
Leverage existing installer projects while accessing the numerous Advanced Installer features and capabilities.
     
MSI/MSM import
Import third party MSI installers and MSM merge modules into your own Advanced Installer Projects.
     
Import Microsoft Visual Studio projects
Jump-start your installer by importing your existing VS project. Auto-detect names, files and dependencies.
     
Import Visual Basic 6.0 applications
Import applications developed in Visual Basic 6.0 to get a head start on creating their installer.
     
Import Embarcadero RAD Studio applications
Create installers for applications developed with RAD Studio.
     
Import Real Studio applications
Develop installers for Real Studio applications.
     
Import Inno Setup projects
Switch to Windows Installer easier than ever before. Move to MSI setups without wasting the effort already spent.
     
Import NSIS projects
Switch your NSIS projects to Windows Installer. Enjoy Advanced Installer's ease of use and wealth of features.
     
Delivery Options
Single, self-contained MSI installs
Create a single MSI package that contains bundled everything required to install your application.
     
Unpacked installations
The files stay unbundled next to the MSI file, suited for regular installs or to run directly from (CD, DVD) source.
     
Archive files into CABs
Your application resources can be archived into CAB files, compressed (for size) or uncompressed (for speed).
     
Smart Cabbing
Automatically checks that files with the same source are included only once in the generated CAB file.
     
Online installs
The MSI packages can be launched from an URL, either directly by the user or by the EXE bootstrapper (in Pro edition).
     
Professional Features
Configure Windows Features
Use the intuitive GUI to enable the optional Windows Features your application requires.
     
Microsoft Authenticode Digital ID signature
Digitally sign generated or included files - authenticate your products and MSIs for improved customer credibility. Device Guard and Azure Key Vault integration.
     
Software Identification Tag
The easiest way to implement ISO 19770-2 standard compliance in your software products.
     
Command line mode editing
Change the project without bringing up the UI - at command line or in batch scripts.
     
PowerShell Custom Actions
Run PowerShell scripts by using the dedicated editor, predefined prerequisites, launch conditions, and much more.
     
Multi-volume installs
Split large installs onto several disks, with customizable size and number of archives and volumes.
     
LZMA compression for installers
Reduce the size of your install packages using some of the best compression algorithms in the industry.
     
Large file support
Include in your project files larger than 2GB and pack them using multi-core-aware LZMA compression.
     
Installer encryption
Protect your installers using AES encryption. A password will be automatically requested before installing your package.
     
User registration, serial code validation, SKUs
Ask the user for a serial code during install. Validate it online, through bundled algorithm or your custom DLL.
     
Wizard for Professional Project creation
Use the provided wizard to create professional Windows Installer MSI installs in mere minutes.
     
Friendly Wizards
Easy to use, intuitive wizards are ready to assist you during your install creation. Get more done in less time.
     
Project Notes
Document every intricate detail of your projects in order to improve your installer team collaboration.
     
EXE/DLL dependency detector
Quickly and easily find out and include in your installation the libraries that your EXE and DLL files depend on.
     
Fast installation
Automatically optimize your packages for the fastest possible installation.
     
Single Package Authoring
Create a single MSI package able to install both per-user and per-machine with a selection dialog for the user.
     
Mixed 32/64-bit installers
Powerful wizard helps author single, unified installers that run as 32-bit on 32-bit and as 64-bit on 64-bit platforms.
     
Control Panel Applets
Install applets in Control Panel to configure and customize your system-level services and applications.
     
Visual Studio 2017 Extension and Add-In installers
Easily create dedicated installers for Visual Studio 2017 extensions and add-ins (in Ent. edition).
     
Microsoft Office Add-In installers
Easily create dedicated installers for Microsoft Office add-ins directly from a Visual Studio Project or from a disk location.
     
Adobe Products Add-In installers
Create dedicated add-in installers for most often used Adobe products.
     
Builds
Multiple Builds
Build multiple installers from a single project creating packages customized for various deployment scenarios.
     
APPX Bundles
Create APPX bundles for multiple architectures and platform types.
     
Pre/Post-Build Events
Customize your installer build process with pre- and post-build events: copy or move files, run commands.
     
Reports
At-a-glance reports outlining essential information about your installer.
     
ICE Validation
Run ICE validation suites as a final step in the build process, messages being appended to the Build Log.
     
Validation Fixes
Suggest and apply fixes for package validation errors resulted from running ICE validation suites.
     
Windows App Certification Kit Validation (WACK)
Run WACK validations as a final step in the build process for MSI, AppX and MSIX packages, messages being appended to the Build Log and inside an HTML report.
     
MSIX Packaging
Build MSIX packages from your existing projects. Get your desktop application in the Windows Store with just a few clicks.
     
MSIX Sparse Packages
Provide your non-UWP desktop app with deeper integration into the OS features using Sparse packages.
     
Professional Application Resources
Synchronized folders
Specify installation folders to be synchronized with folders on your disk, with include and exclude patterns.
     
Path Variables
Ability to use custom, per-machine configurable Variables in project paths.
     
Compute file hashes
Turn this feature on to eliminate unnecessary file copying during a repair process.
     
File associations and mime types
Associate files having certain extensions with your application for open, edit, view, print or other operations.
     
Vista Default Programs
Take advantage of the Windows Vista's new support for registering applications to handle file types.
     
Advertised shortcuts
Advertised shortcuts trigger installation of features on demand or application check and repair when launched.
     
INI files and entries
Import full INI files. Easily create and edit, update or change INI entries.
     
Search for applications and resources
Search for components, files, folders, registry and INI entries during the install process.
     
Test-run searches
Invaluable tool allowing you to test Windows Installer searches on the spot, seeing the results immediately.
     
Permissions
Set permissions to define in detail the allowed user access to files, folders, registry keys and entries.
     
Resource removal on install
Remove files, registry keys and values during both install and uninstall stages.
     
File install actions
Move, copy or duplicate any file during install. Reserve additional space for install costing.
     
Uninstall cleanup
Now it's easy to make sure your application doesn't leave anything on your user's system after uninstall.
     
Persistent user data
Persist user-modified settings and configurations through upgrades and repairs of your application.
     
Temporary installation files
Include additional files that must be present at install time, without being installed themselves.
     
Resource Registration
Extract registration information
The registration data can be extracted from files that can auto-register, and installed directly in the Registry.
     
Services
Install and register services. Control (start, stop, etc.) them both on install and uninstall.
     
ODBC drivers, data sources and translators
Install and easily set the attributes on ODBC drivers, data sources and translators.
     
COM, COM+ and DCOM
Fully specify COM, COM+ and DCOM components for registration at install time.
     
COM Interfaces
Create COM Interfaces using Advanced Installer GUI.
     
COM+ import
Import complete COM+ installation MSIs into existing Advanced Installer projects.
     
.NET Framework
.NET and Win32 assemblies
Install .NET and Win32 assemblies in Global Assembly Cache (GAC) or privately, side-by-side on Windows XP.
     
.NET / COM interoperability
Let Advanced Installer extract registration information and register your .NET assemblies for COM interoperability.
     
Precompile .NET assemblies
Improve .NET applications performance and startup time by precompiling them to native images on install.
     
Assembly attributes
Advanced Installer automatically scans and detects .NET assembly attributes freeing you from this task.
     
.NET project template
Use the provided template and wizard to create installers for .NET framework applications in mere minutes.
     
.NET prerequisite
Check if the right .NET framework is present on the target machine and, if necessary, download and install it.
     
.NET Custom Actions
Write Custom Actions using the .NET framework, taking advantage of InstallerClass.
     
Custom Actions
Custom actions
Extend your installer's capabilities by executing JS, VBScript, an EXE, or a function in a DLL during install.
     
Nested Install custom actions
Launch an embedded MSI file from your installation in order to install, repair or remove another product.
     
Multi-file Custom Actions
Provide resources in separate files. Call normal, third-party multi-file programs as custom actions.
     
Predefined actions library
Predefined Custom Actions, ready to be used and easy to customize: play audio file, detect/stop processes and services, etc.
     
Standard DLL call
Predefined Custom Action allows you to call any function in any standard DLL.
     
Package Organization
Organize package features
Organize your Windows Installer package in features and sub-features. Create, set attributes and install conditions.
     
Group components in features
Group installation components into features, share them or set their attributes and install conditions.
     
Build one CAB per feature
Save bandwidth by ensuring that for online installs only features actually installed will be downloaded.
     
Isolated components
Ensure the components you need are next to your application and will not be overwritten by other software.
     
Qualified/Published components
Another level of indirection in your components supports pluggable components and replaceable implementations.
     
EXE bootstrapper
Customized EXE bootstrapper
Bootstrap your MSI or MSIX(AppX) package into an EXE file with a custom icon, file description and version.
     
MD5 signatures
Setups can use MD5 for checking self and downloaded files (prerequisites or updates) integrity.
     
Prerequisites
Create setups that can automatically search for, download and install prerequisite applications. Full CLI support from Enterprise.
     
Install/update Windows Installer
Set it as prerequisite and your setup will be able to download and update it on the target machine.
     
Latest version check
On launch, check online for a newer version of this installer, and if available, download and install it instead.
     
Bootstrapper UI
The Bootstrapper UI has Enhanced UI rendering engine with MSI Dialog table, making the EXE and MSI dialogs indistinguishable.
     
Bootstrapper for Desktop Bridge apps
On launch, you can check on which OS the package is running and install an MSIX(AppX) package, for Windows 11, or an MSI for older systems.
     
User Interface
Change banners and images
Customize the way dialogs look during the installation process by changing the background banner images.
     
Over 75 bundled setup themes
You have over 75 built-in custom themes to effortlessly give your application a professional (and gorgeous!) look.
     
Additional Dialogs
Select one of the available pre-built dialogs to appear in front of the user during the installation.
     
Background image slide shows
Schedule image slide shows during the install of your application. Advertise your brand and products, show off their abilities.
     
Localization
Create packages in other languages
Currently localizations in 31 languages for MSIs, EXE bootstrapper and all helper utilities are already included.
     
Localize in a new language
Translating additional languages is as easy as editing an XML file generated as a dictionary of untranslated strings.
     
Multilingual packages
Generate a single MSI or EXE file with all the desired languages. Automatically match the end-user's default language.
     
Language Selection Dialog
Allow your users to select any installation language from the languages included in your installer.
     
Localize UWP package
Localize your Universal Windows Platform package and distribute it worldwide through the Microsoft Store.
     
Windows Store
Windows Store Apps
Package your applications for next generation deployment in Windows 8/8.1/10 and beyond with AppX.
     
Import Windows Store Apps
Import and edit existing Windows Store App packages using the friendly Advanced Installer GUI.
     
Mobile Installers
Create CABinet packages that can be used to install applications on Windows CE / Mobile platforms.
     
MSIX ∙ Desktop Bridge
Full support to build, debug and customize MSIX(AppX) packages for your Win32/.NET applications, through Desktop Bridge. Create UWP and WSA packages from your existing projects.
     
Package Support Framework
Migrate to the MSIX package standard by using the built-in support for the Package Support Framework.
     
Internet Information Services (IIS)
Web Sites and Web Applications
Configure and deploy Web Sites, create Front Page Server Extensions, Web Application Mappings, etc.
     
Import Web Applications
Quickly configure web sites, virtual directories and application pools by importing directly from your working configurations.
     
Virtual Directories
Configure and deploy Virtual Directories, associate a Web Application, open FTP access, etc.
     
Configure IIS server
Configure the IIS server, register ISAPI filters, backup the metabase, open the Management Console, FastCgi Applications.
     
Application Pools
Assign specific configuration settings to a worker process (or processes) that services a group of applications.
     
IIS 5.1 to 10
Full support for IIS 5.1, 6, 7, 8, 8.5 and 10 running on Microsoft Windows XP all the way to Windows 11 and 2012 R2 Server OSs.
     
User Accounts integration
Configure anonymous access for IIS or authentication fully integrated with the User Accounts functionality.
     
HTTPS/SSL configuration
Configure HTTPS/SSL parameters for websites: bindings, digital certificates and options.
     
ASP.NET support
Dedicated wizard. Register your ASP.NET (including .NET 4.5) web application with IIS 7/8 or with IIS 5/6.
     
Configure Custom Properties
In addition to the dedicated UI features, custom properties help you modify the majority of IIS 7 or above attributes/collections.
     
For Java Installer Features
Console/GUI Java applications
Package both console applications (within a terminal window) and GUI applications (that have a graphical user interface).
     
Write Win32 services in Java
Quickly and easily create, package, install and run Win32 services written in Java.
     
Multiple Java applications per package
Install several Java applications (each with its own settings and native launcher) with the same package.
     
100% native code, no JVM overhead
Installers contain only native code and technologies, for the smallest footprint and the tightest platform integration.
     
Wizard for Java Project creation
Use the wizard to create complete Windows and macOS X installers for your Java application in mere minutes.
     
Import Eclipse projects
Point Advanced Installer to your Eclipse project and it will instantaneously create your installer and launchers.
     
Import IntelliJ IDEA projects
Powerful wizard employed to help you create installation packages by importing IntelliJ IDEA workspaces.
     
Pack200 packing for JAR files
Coupled with LZMA compression, can reduce the size of code archives to as low as 20% of the initial size.
     
Flexible ClassPath, Library and System paths
Include JAR files, folders, Windows Installer properties and environment variables in your application's paths.
     
Edit JVM parameters
Easy to use GUI to edit runtime options, system properties, VM command line and other parameters.
     
Powerful memory sizing options
Specify JVM initial and maximum heap and stack sizes, fixed or in bounded physical memory percentages.
     
JRockit JRE
Bundle or run your Java applications using the JRockit Java Runtime Environment.
     
JRE bundling
Create packages that include a private JRE for your application or a bundled one to install on the computer.
     
JRE/JDK prerequisite
Check if the right JVM is present on the target machine and, if necessary, download and install it.
     
Java Native Launcher
JRE/JDK detection and selection
Powerful and customizable way to find the installed JVMs and to select the one fitted to run your application.
     
Your process name instead of java/javaw
Set your own process name to appear in the task manager and the Windows XP task bar groups.
     
Custom application/EXE icon
Include a professional native Windows ICO icon in your executable, with multiple resolutions and color depths.
     
File version and name for executable
Embed the version information and name into the generated executable file of your Java application.
     
Instant-on native splash screen
A custom splash screen displayed as soon as the EXE file is launched, without having to wait for the JRE to load.
     
Java 6 native splash screen
Use the standard Java 6 native splash screen API if available, or fall back on the one provided otherwise.
     
User friendly error handling
Errors are treated internally, or if not possible, presented to the user well explained and with solution suggestions.
     
Single application instance
Optionally enforce a system-wide unique instance of your product, redirecting secondary launches to this instance.
     
Stdout and stderr redirection
Redirect the standard streams to files so the user can check for errors and exceptions even for GUI applications.
     
Native 64-bit launcher
A native 64-bit Java launcher version allows you to load your application into a discovered (or bundled) 64-bit JRE.
     
Embed JAR in EXE
Protect your application code and simplify deployment by running your JAR directly from the native launcher, without an extraction.
     
macOS X Packages
macOS X standalone bundles
Create standard, standalone, native application bundles for your Java products to be installed on macOS X computers.
     
Java applications for macOS X
Build standalone Java applications ready to be signed and published on the App Store.
     
Translate Windows settings to macOS X
Every installer setting with an equivalent on macOS X will be used directly like it is used in the Windows package.
     
Platform-specific macOS X settings
Settings that are specific to macOS X can be specified separately for the best platform integration.
     
Minimum macOS X version
Specify the minimum version of macOS X required to run your application.
     
Native macOS X icon
Specify a ICNS file to be used to graphically identify your application on macOS X.
     
macOS X splash screen
Display a specified splash screen when launching your application on macOS X.
     
macOS X localization
The macOS X packages are also easily localizable, with a number of built-in languages already included.
     
macOS X file associations and mime types
Define document types and associate them with your application.
     
Enterprise Features
XML Search
Search in XML files and return the values of elements, attributes or text nodes.
     
Update XML files
Insert, replace or remove elements and attributes in XML files. Patch XML config files, register in XML frameworks.
     
Update TXT files
Insert, replace or remove any string in any file type installed by your package or already present on the target machine.
     
Licensing
The licensing module offers ready to use trial and registration (with maintenance plans) functionality for your application.
     
Install Drivers
Specify drivers for install using the Windows Driver Install Frameworks (DIFx), version 2.1.
     
Convert EXE installers to MSIs
Powerful wizard will convert any EXE setup into an MSI ready for network deployment through Active Directory.
     
User Accounts and Groups
Allow your installers to create user accounts and groups on the user's computer.
     
Task scheduler
Create and fully configure tasks to be run by the native Windows Scheduler service.
     
Scheduled Updates
The Updater integrated with the Task Scheduler allows you to run updates from the Windows Scheduler service.
     
CD/DVD Autorun
Quickly enable your product to automatically start from CDs and DVDs. Powerful, customizable, Windows 7-Ready launcher.
     
Folder sharing
Easily share folders on install, setting the sharing permissions for secured access.
     
Configure Windows Firewall
Add your application to the exception list during installation, and remove it during uninstallation.
     
Games Explorer integration
Easily and fully integrate your games in Windows Vista's Games Explorer, specifying ratings, genres, art and more.
     
Media Center registration
Register your games in Windows Media Center and allow your users to run them directly from there.
     
Windows 7 Libraries
Easily create or add to existing Libraries like “Documents”, “Pictures” or “Music” on Windows 7.
     
Embedded Chainers
Embed multiple MSIs in a unified setup package and install them chained in a single, atomic transaction.
     
Prerequisites Repository
Save the prerequisites you defined and reuse them in other projects.
     
Multiple Instances
Allow the installation of multiple instances of your product on the same computer.
     
MSI Transforms
Capture user input during an install or the differences between two MSI databases into a Windows Installer transform.
     
Custom Tables editor
Visually define new tables and columns, insert rows in your MSIs. Add and edit additional data for your custom actions.
     
Direct Table editor
Visually edit your MSIs and MSMs at database table and row level, customizing your installers to the tiniest detail.
     
MSI and MST Diff
Highlight MST content or MSI differences within the Table Editor. Optimize your work by reverting changes on the fly.
     
Test in VM
Avoid damaging your local machine when testing the installation by running it in a provisioned virtual machine.
     
Installer Continuous Integration
Command line mode execution
Build your release packages in a completely automated script, like Make, Ant or NAnt.
     
Azure DevOps
Build Advanced Installer projects using Azure DevOps.
     
Jenkins
Integrate the Advanced Installer project in your build system using the custom designed plugin.
     
TeamCity
Dedicated build runner for Advanced Installer.
     
Bamboo
Dedicated Bamboo tasks for Advanced Installer.
     
GitHub Actions
Automate the EXE, MSI, and MSIX building using the Advanced Installer's official GitHub Action.
     
Automatic Updater
Advanced Updater tool
Highly configurable and versatile, it automatically checks for, downloads and installs patches and updates.
     
Visual Updates Editor
Edit your updates configurations visually in dedicated projects and build in multiple locales.
     
HTTP authentication, HTTPS
Downloading over HTTPS is supported, as well as HTTP authentication which prompts for a user and password.
     
Server-side license check
Server-side license check is supported, as another way to hinder piracy.
     
Toast Notifications
Prompt your users with a notification and keep them up to date with the latest version of your application.
     
Dialog Editor
Modify and Create Dialogs
Control every detail of the UI of your MSI packages. Add, change or remove controls, dialogs, texts and more.
     
Full Billboard Editor
Spice up your installs, advertise your application's features (in text and images) during setup.
     
Dialog Repository
Save time and work by reusing the dialogs and dialog templates you create in other projects.
     
Wizard for Control Event creation
Handy wizard to assist you when accomplishing the more difficult tasks of Windows Installer UI.
     
Print Control
With just a couple of clicks, add a fully functional Print... button to your License or Readme dialogs.
     
Browse for File
Add a predefined Custom Action allowing your users to select a file (license, DB, etc.) during your installer's UI.
     
ListBox & ComboBox controls
Predefined Custom Actions for populating, deleting and extracting data from ListBox and ComboBox controls.
     
Collect user info
Predefined Custom Action for collecting user information during install and POST-ing it to your web server.
     
UI Testing
Test your installer's User Interface as you create it, without building the full package every time.
     
Enhanced User Interface
External UI
External UI implementation improving the way your installers look and feel. UAC compliant.
     
Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista controls
On Windows Vista or higher, use true color icons as large as 256x256 pixels and Command Link controls.
     
HTML Host control
Create HTML UIs in your installer, scripting with JavaScript. Included Windows Installer - JavaScript full two-way bridge.
     
Additional controls
Feature Selection Tree with checkboxes, checklist, native OS Browse for Folder dialog, hyperlink, enforced EULA lecture.
     
Global Progress
Deterministic, installation-global progress tracking events. Correctly estimate installer completion and avoid user confusion.
     
Patches
Windows Installer MSP patches
With Advanced Installer you can quickly and easily create patches for your applications.
     
Removable Patches
Advanced Installer generates patches that can be uninstalled separately on Windows Installer 3.0 or higher.
     
Patch Sequencing
Guarantees your patches are always applied in the order you want (Windows Installer 3.0 or higher).
     
Wizard for MSP Project creation
Use the provided wizard to create Windows Installer Patches in mere minutes.
     
Patch EXE bootstrapper
Pack your patches in EXE files for simpler deployment. Specify custom icons, file descriptions and versions.
     
Merge Modules
Create Merge Modules
Package the independent components you use in your applications as stand-alone MSM files.
     
Wizard for MSM Project creation
Use the provided wizard to create Windows Installer MSM Merge Modules in mere minutes.
     
Configurable Parameters
Allow your users to customize the Merge Modules you provide. Specify what can be changed and how.
     
Server & Web Apps
Microsoft Web Deploy
Publish Web Applications to Microsoft Azure and IIS from installers using Microsoft Web Deploy.
     
Tomcat Web Applications
Simple-to-build installers to easily and quickly deploy your web applications into Apache Tomcat.
     
Deploy SharePoint 2016 solutions
Included wizard will painlessly create standard MSI installers to deploy SharePoint 2016 solutions.
     
Windows Server Roles
Advanced Installer simplifies how you install roles on the server and lets you install multiple roles at the same time.
     
IIS Browse
Help your users easily pick target Web Sites, Virtual Directories and Application Pools by showing a list with what's available.
     
Microsoft Silverlight Applications
Use the dedicated UI to manage deployment solutions for Microsoft Silverlight OoB (out of browser) applications.
     
Databases
SQL Scripts
During install, configure servers and deploy SQL scripts for Microsoft, Oracle, Postgre and MySQL databases.
     
SQL Queries
Interrogate SQL databases and use the retrieved information during the installation.
     
SQL Server Reporting Services
Upload reports, datasets or data sources to an instance of Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services.
     
Transaction Support
Full transaction support for running SQL Scripts on transaction-capable DBMSs.
     
Sandbox Test
Test SQL Queries and Connections in an isolated environment on your development machine.
     
SQL Server Browser
Automatically discover and list Microsoft SQL Servers available on the network at install time.
     
Allowed Databases List
List all databases the user with the associated credentials is allowed to connect to.
     
Architect Features
MSI/MST Editor
Create transforms or quickly edit existing MSI packages directly from the Advanced Installer GUI.
     
MSI Conflict Detector
Detects possible installation conflicts between a selected MSI and other MSIs from the repository.
     
MSIX Modification Packages
Extend and update your MSIX packages. Decouple your main application package from its updates, speed up Windows 11 updates.
     
MSIX Package Editor
Get an instant view of your package content and customize anything from Advanced Installer’s friendly user interface.
     
Repackage
Installation Repackager
Painlessly capture and repackage existing installations into MSI packages. The repackager has UI automation and its own CLI.
     
VMware Repackager
Choose between performing the capture either on your development machine or on a VMware virtual machine.
     
Hyper-V Repackager
Choose between performing the capture either on your development machine or on a Hyper-V virtual machine.
     
Docker Repackager
Native integration for Docker containers. Repackage applications that support silent installation switch and convert them to MSI or MSIX.
     
Repackaging in Remote Machines
Choose to complete a repackaging session into a remote machine.
     
Smart Repackager
Detect and preserve high-level constructs like services, drivers, file associations, environment variables and assemblies in scan results.
     
64-bit Repackager
Capture and repackage installations on 64-bit systems, detecting 64-bit specific components and behaviors.
     
Desktop App Converter
Capture installations of Win32/.NET desktop applications, with full UI or silent, and convert them to MSIX(AppX) format. Customize them using the dedicated GUI.
     
Compare output with original package
Verify what resources were added, modified or removed in the repackaged installation by comparing the results with the original installation.
     
Repackager Assistant
Record repackager settings, take notes and capture screenshots of the installation.
     
Repackaging Updates
Migrate your project customizations from an older version of your repackaged application when repackaging a newer version.
     
Application Virtualization
Build App-V Packages
Full support for Microsoft's Application Virtualization technology. Effortlessly build App-V 4.x or App-V 5.x packages for your software.
     
App-V Import
Create installation packages by importing existing App-V packages. Convert App-V 4.x applications to App-V 5.x.
     
App-V GUI Editor
Open App-V 5.x packages with Advanced Installer, edit and save the changes from the friendly GUI, no sequencing.
     
App-V CLI Editor
Use the TweakAppV.exe command line interface tool as a scripting alternative to the graphical interface editor.
     
VMware ThinApp
Full support for VMware's ThinApp technology. Easily create a virtualized version of your application from your installer.
     
VMware ThinApp Import
Create installation packages by importing ThinApp project folders.
     
Mobile Device Management
SCCM Deployment
Save time by using the integrated deployment to System Center Configuration Manager. CLI is included.
     
Deploy App-V packages with SCCM
Comfortably manage virtual and physical applications deployment through SCCM and more.
     
Microsoft Intune Deployment
Deploy your applications to Microsoft Intune by using the wizard or CLI.