Here you can specify how you want Advanced Installer to create the package for you.

Package

Folder

Your package's path. Click on the [ ... ] button to change the folder where the installation package is created. By default, this shares the same folder with the project file. Removing the package name will delete the whole path.

TipThe saved path will be either relative or absolute, as specified in the Project Paths Tab.

File Name

Specify the MSI package's name. By default, the project name is used. This field is of PseudoFormatted Type and can be edited with Smart Edit Control.

Archive

Place files unpacked next to the MSI database

The files in the package will be copied next to the MSI, maintaining the file hierarchy.

By selecting this option, you ensure that a directory structure similar to the one of the target computer will be created. Your installation will contain the MSI and all the files and folders next to it.

NoteWhen the files are placed unpacked near the MSI and the MSI is set to be downloaded from an URL location (Bootstrapper Tab page) the files and folders will be created with short names.

Archive installation files using LZMA compression for smallest package size.

In case of LZMA compression, all installation files and the MSI file will be packed into one archive that will be included in an EXE package. The main advantage of LZMA compression is that it generates a smaller package size than CAB archiving; the disadvantage is that, during installation, the package requires more time and disk space (for extracting the LZMA archive).

ImportantAdvanced Installer supports packing files larger than 2GB only if the "Place files unpacked next to the MSI database" option or LZMA compression is used. This feature is not available in Freeware edition.

Compression Level

You can select the desired compression level for the LZMA archive. The following options are available:

  • Fastest - Fastest compression, poor compression level.
  • Fast - Fast compression, good compression level.
  • Normal - Compression with balanced settings: speed versus size.
  • Good - Gives better compression ratio than Normal level, but it is slower and it requires more memory.
  • Best - Gives the best compression ratio, but it is slower and it requires a lot of memory.
  • Custom - You can customize the LZMA archive parameters according to your needs.

TipFor more information about LZMA compression go to the LZMA Compression page.

Password

This field allows you choosing if to use AES 256 encryption for your LZMA archives or not. If you leave it empty, AES encryption is not used. When you provide a non empty password, the LZMA archives created for your setup package will be encrypted. Users of your package will need to know the password in order to perform installation procedure. They will be requested to enter the password when setup program starts.

TipWhen your users install an encrypted package, they can specify the password from command line using /aespassword: option. For more information see: EXE setup file.

TipFor more information about AES encryption go to the AES Encryption page.

Confirm password

This field should have an identical content with the above Password field. By typing the password twice, you avoid the common password typing mistakes.

Archive installation files into CAB files

The package's files will be packed into cabinet files.

You can choose between a single file or multiple volumes. If you create one single CAB, you may include it in the MSI file. The result will be one MSI file that will contain all your software - a single file installation. On the other hand, multiple CABs allow the creation of multi-volume installs.

You also have the option to create a CAB file for every feature that your package contains. This means that all the files contained by a certain feature will be placed in the same CAB. This is useful when installing the MSI from an URL location as only the CABS corresponding to the features selected for installation will be downloaded.

Advanced CAB Layout

This option enables you to perform extensive customization concerning the media volumes and CABs in the Advanced Media Tab.

This feature allows to control the following packaging options:

  • The media volume's maximum size.
  • What files a CAB will contain.
  • The maximum CAB size
  • Specify whether a CAB should be embedded in the MSI database.
  • The media volume for each CAB.
  • You can leave files outside the CABs, and you can decide on which volume they will be placed. The files placed outside will be stored directly on the volume. No directory structure will be created.

TipPlease make sure that you estimate correctly the volumes and CABs sizes. If a CAB or external file will not fit on it's current volume, it will automatically be moved on the next volume (if this volume doesn't exist it will be automatically created).

TipIf the files contained by a CAB will exceed, after compression or storage(CAB without compression), the specified maximum CAB size, there will be created as many CABs as needed with the same characteristics until all the files will be packed.

ImportantThis configuration mode requires that at least one CAB should be created. If you want to leave all the files outside CABs you should enable the “Place files unpacked next to the MSI database” option.

Multiple Volumes

When you select multiple volumes, you can specify the size for the first and following volumes. This gives you the possibility to author multiple installation disks. You can customize the CAB size in the Edit CAB Settings Dialog. Use the [ CABs... ] button.

TipDo not forget to make the first volume smaller to allow space for the MSI next to the CAB files.

You can also specify the disk label in the “Volume Label” field. Use "#" to specify the disk index. This character will be automatically replaced with the disk number at build time.

NoteIf "#" is not used the disk number will be appended at the label string's end.

ImportantMulti volume install can only be tested from the appropriate removable media.

Topics