Advanced Installer is the only Windows
Installer authoring tool with built-in support for Java
applications, integrating them fully into the Windows OS and making them
look and feel just like a native application.
Using Advanced Installer you can create MSI packages for your
Java applications, and allow your application to use the
Windows Installer features.
Why Windows
Installer?
- Best Windows integration
- Zero-overhead installation packages
- 100% native code
Using Windows Installer gives you the best possible
integration of your application in the Windows Platform. Windows
Installer is the standard Windows install technology and it is
required by Microsoft for any application intending to meet the
Windows logo certification.
Because the Windows Installer engine is included in the
latest Microsoft operating systems, distributed with the latest
products (like Office) and also freely downloadable on the Internet,
you don't have to include it in your installation package (unlike a
proprietary install engine).
Advanced Installer and the packages it creates contain 100%
Windows native code and technologies. This ensures the smallest
footprint and the tightest platform integration for your install
packages.
What can
Windows Installer do for your Java programs
- Install/uninstall files, registry keys, environment
variables
- Create shortcuts in the Start menu or on the desktop
- File associations
- Bundle, or download and install a
JRE
- Unattended installs
- Operating System version check
- Digitally signing your install packages
Read more Advanced Installer
Features.
Native Java
launcher
- Your own process name, file icon and version
- Instant-on splash screen
- JRE auto detection and version check
- Runs as a GUI/console application or a Win32 service
Advanced Installer provides a native launcher for
your Java applications. Using this launcher your users will
see and use your Java programs just like regular Windows native
executables.
The native launcher provides a fast and friendly start up
process for your Java applications. It will start
by instantly displaying a splash screen, after which it will look
for and detect a compatible JRE. Finally, it will load the JRE and
launch your application. Any unexpected error will be presented to
the user in a friendly, easy to understand manner, together with a
remedial suggestion.
Mac OS X
package
- Build standard, native bundles to install your Java programs
on Mac OS X
Advanced Installer has the ability to create packages for
installing on Mac OS X. They respect the industry
guidelines, supporting all the platform specific features - from
folder layout to document types file associations and more. The
packages are strictly native, without the overhead of Java
installers.
The cross-platform installation elements are included,
while the Windows-specific ones are ignored. The Mac OS X
build is fully customizable with its own file layout,
icons, descriptions and more.
Windows
Installer vs. Cross Platform installers
The main advantage of a cross platform installer is its
ability to generate a single install package that can run on various
platforms. However this ability comes often at the expense of the
seamless Operating System integration that a
native installer offers.
Cross platform installers come with their own proprietary,
non-standard installation engines. This engine must be included in
the installation, increasing its size sometimes by as much as 1
Megabyte. Windows Installer is a standard, well
documented technology that already comes bundled with the latest
versions of Windows and most popular applications.
Most cross platform installers are themselves written in
Java. Because of that, they require that a JRE be installed before
the installer is run. Otherwise, incomprehensible error messages are
displayed. Furthermore, they sport a non-standard look and feel,
with a sluggish response time.
View the complete Feature List
