Advanced Installer is intended to build installation packages for Windows operating system. The tool can create not only MSI and EXE files but also other types of packages. It has a modern and intuitive interface. Despite the evident complexities of the operations it supports, you will not feel overwhelmed. It is enough to select the kind of project and let the corresponding wizard lead the way. Yet, if you have any difficulties, it is possible to consult its excellent online user guide.
Besides from the desktop, the program can be used from the command line as well as a Visual Studio extension. It can build a wide range of packages. In this regard, there are installer templates for Visual Studio, ASP.NET, Real Studio, Visual Basic, .NET, RAD Studio and client/server applications, among others. Likewise, it allows creating Java applications, patches, add-ins, merge modules, as well as apps for Windows Store and Windows Mobile. Besides, the tool lets you convert between installer types. What is more, you can publish the apps on the Cloud for easy distribution.
When you create an installation package, you can add several identifying details as well as software identification. Similarly, you can set the target folders. It is good that the installer can detect and upgrade outdated versions which avoids installing two different versions of the same product on the same machine.
As to security, the program lets you use a license key or configure a trial period for shareware products. Fortunately, it also uses a strong standard (SHA256) to digitally sign the package and protect its integrity.
Good news is that the interface of the installation package is quite customizable. For instance, there are various themes to choose from. Also, you can build multi-language installers. Besides, you can have the package display a sequence of images while it is being installed.
To sum up, Advanced Installer is probably the best software of its type out there. It comes with multiple features, which can even be extended through writing your own code in various popular programming languages. Although it is good that the program can be evaluated for free, this is absolutely an expensive product and it is way beyond the reach of many users, particularly those working on low budgets.
v9.8 [Dec 20, 2012]
App-V packages import
Smart condition editor
Categorized updates
Set Product Version from file
IIS ASP.NET Impersonation support
IIS Basic Authentication support
SQL Server 2008 Express SP3 predefined prerequisite and launch condition
Adobe Reader XI predefined prerequisite and launch condition
Redesigned custom action properties dialog
Perform resource availability checks at build start
Multiple file editing for files placed in different folders
Configurable initial state for updates
Improved deletion of Virtual Directories and Web Applications in IIS 7 or higher
Better IIS configuration backup handling for name collisions
Option for making repackaged shortcuts advertised by default
Configurable meta data information for EXE bootstrapper
Improved error messages for failed Visual Studio Application import
Crash after a project failed to load
Crash during IIS installation when Classic application pool pipeline mode and ASP.NET registration was used
Crash in Table Editor page when deleting dialog controls
Error when leaving Install Parameters page and current build is not an MSI
Project build error when changing the feature identifier for a repository prerequisite
Installation files extraction failed when using Unicode characters in the extraction path
Serial number validation condition was not evaluated correctly on Surface theme
XML search properties were empty in Install Execution Stage when using enhanced UI
Pre-build events were not executed in the command line interface
Dictionaries were not reloaded at build
DefaultUncaughtExceptionHandler was not triggered for Java Products
Runtime environment variable references did not work in the ClassPath of a Java Product
AppPool property was not imported for Web Sites for IIS 7 or higher
IIS Configuration import displayed the default HTTP binding for websites even when there were no such bindings
Web Sites did not start automatically after system reboot if their bindings conflicted with other sites (IIS 7 or higher)
AI_RecycleBin folder was not removed correctly when using folder removal with do not overwrite existing files option
Uninstall cleanup checkbox control was not positioned correctly on VerifyRemoveDlg dialog for Surface theme
Missing SQL scripts were not ignored in Table Editor page
Test installation UI failed when using localization
Automatically downloaded prerequisites used incorrect filenames
Merge module CAB file was not deleted after the EXE setup file was created
EXE bootstrapper failed to launch on Windows 95
CAB files were not extracted correctly on Windows ME
Package type was changed by a global prerequisite even if EXE was already selected
CancelDlg dialog did not cancel the installation when using slideshow with custom progress position
Theme switching disabled Cancel button on MinProgressDlg
Cancel button on MinProgressDlg dialog used incorrect control events
Progress dialog used incorrect position during image slideshow
SQL Server Native Client prerequisites conditions were incorrect
