Step by step instructions for using the Updater

In order to use the Updater with two MSI packages you need to go through four stages:

1. Create the initial package

• create the first package in which you setup the initial installation
• in the Updater page check the Enable Advanced Updater option
• in the "Updates URL" field set the URL where the updates configuration file will be placed (for example: www.example.com/updates.txt)
• in the Files and Folders page create a shortcut to "updater.exe"
• the shortcut will have the "Arguments" field set to /checknow (in order to check for updates when it is double-clicked)
• save and build the project (v1.msi)

2. Create the upgraded package (the update)

• back-up the AIP of the first package
• open it in Advanced Installer and in the Product Details page increase the version (for example 1.0.1)
• when you go to another page you will be prompted about changing the Product Code
• in this dialog select "Yes" because the update must have a different product code than the original package
• update the package (add/modify files, registry keys etc.)
• save the project using the "Save As" menu and build it (v2.msi)

3. Create the Updates Configuration File (AIU)

• in Advanced Installer create an Updates Configuration project
• in the Updates page add the updated package (v2.msi)
• in the "Download URL" field set the URL where the updated package is located (for example: www.example.com/v2.msi)
• in the Installed Detection section set the detection criteria for the update (the version of the main EXE of your application or a registry value which contains the version of the package)
• in the Media page set the name of the configuration file (updates.txt)
• save and build the project

4. Deploy the update

• place the updates configuration file (updates.txt) and the updated package (v2.msi) on the server (in the URLs you specified in the projects)
• use the shortcut created in the first package to run the Updater

If you want to distribute a patch, you can add the MSP file as an update in the Updates Configuration File.