Software products often depend on other components to be installed in order to run properly. From other applications to databases, frameworks and run-time environments, it is the installer's job to make sure that the right versions are present before the main application is ready to run.

Built-in prerequisite definitions

A number of prerequisite definitions are already built-in Advanced Installer so you can start using them straight away:

• Windows Installer
• .NET Framework
• Visual Basic Runtime
• Visual Basic Script Engine
• Java Runtime Environment
• DirectX
• Internet Explorer
• SQL Server
• XNA Framework
• Acrobat Reader
• and many more...

Adding a brand new prerequisite is just a matter of specifying a search criteria and a packaging method.

Checking for prerequisites

Prerequisites are searched using the possible criteria, from file versions to registry keys and values. The search checks if the installed versions fall in the specified range. Prerequisites not found are subsequently scheduled for install.

Various prerequisite launch conditions (like OS version and language) and complex relationships to other prerequisites (reboot, parent/child) are supported.

Downloading prerequisites

Prerequisites install packages can be bundled with the application or downloaded from an URL. Downloaded files are checked for integrity by size and by their precomputed MD5 signatures.

Additionally, a web page can be open and the user prompted to download and install the package himself.

Installing prerequisites

Prerequisites are installed in the order they are specified. Additional options are available, to control the User Interface level (full, basic or none) and what to allow the user to override.

Advanced Installer - Features