Best installer creator software

Best of all this is a free Windows Installer that once run, will automate the entire process through a wizard that you can then use to enter title of the program, find files and choose installer size such as full or small. DoneEx Installer Maker can be downloaded on the download page.

Installer Maker works by generating and compiling an NSIS script based on the data provided in the application. While NSIS scripts can get very complicated and in-depth, Installer Maker only covers some of the more basic implementations of this system.

If you wish to make more advanced tweaks to your installer than the Installer Maker interface can provide, we have a checkbox that allows you to make advanced tweaks to the generated code yourself. Viewed 72k times. The best must be a "free" one : stackoverflow. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. Lars Truijens Lars Truijens I've always had a good experience with NSIS It's open source It has a big community and hence lots of plugins For simple things, its script-based approach is nice and easy It's lightweight and fast On the downside, if you want to do something more sophisticated, you need to use something that looks a bit like assembly language - very odd, and not particularly pleasant.

Luke Halliwell Luke Halliwell 7, 6 6 gold badges 28 28 silver badges 31 31 bronze badges. Apart from their horrendous assembler-like language. Which they seem to be very proud of, oddly enough The NSIS language isn't that bad.

I remember using it back when I was a newcomer to programming and I didn't have any problems. Fredrik Fredrik. With you on InstallShield. Why did they invent their own language instead of using one of the many actual languages that existed, even at the time?

Yes, two ideas: If you're looking for a way to statically put files, registry keys, start menu shortcuts, et cetera on your customer's systems, you should be looking for an installer solution. Wix Tutorials. JvR JvR. JesperE JesperE It's free, it's easy. Maltrap Maltrap 2, 1 1 gold badge 33 33 silver badges 32 32 bronze badges. It's ace.

Definately Wix. Jeroen Landheer Jeroen Landheer 8, 1 1 gold badge 33 33 silver badges 41 41 bronze badges. Ease my arse, free of hacks my arse, most brain damaged and overcomplicated software I've EVER dealt with. WiX is definately a power tool, you need some knowledge on how MSIs work. If this makes it harder or easier is quite subjective, but I can't say it is that hard.

For most installations it is a quite straight-forward approach, for complicated stuff you'll be happy to know it will offer each and every feature you'll need. It has nothing to do with power or knowledge, it's simply bad design. NSIS is also powerful yet it won't make you pull out your hair. A free version that integrates directly into Visual Studio exists along with paid Pro versions.

If your needs are simple enough, Advanced Installer is offered in a freeware edition which gives a competent interface for building setup programs while using an easy to understand wizard. And finally, Inno Setup is relatively basic, lacks any sort of wizards, and is mostly catered towards power users, much like Nullsoft's NSIS installer. You crack open a window and you can hammer out scripts from scratch or utilize the supplied example scripts as a solid framework to be sure you have everything you need in advance.

If you do yearn for support of non-Roman languages, a Unicode build exists which can deliver additional language support to installers at the cost of a larger executable. This bare-bones tool is free for the asking. An avid technology writer and an IT guru, Matthew is here to help bring the best in software, hardware and the web to the collective consciousness of TechRepublic's readership.

In addition to writing for TechRepublic, Matthew currently works as a Cus Five apps 1. InstallShield Express InstallShield is the definitive install engine used by many large corporations and big development houses. App of the Week Newsletter Don't waste another second searching for IT and business apps--we've got you covered.

Delivered Thursdays Sign up today.