I've finally updated my old application and now recognize that I have multiple applications to install on ... everything from Win XP, Win 2000 to Windows 7. Since I've been somewhat out of touch with the latest approaches can you give me some guidelines for the best approaches to creating setup files. I am most concerned about where my application should be installed. My applications creates folders and files as well as reading/writing to a database. I would like all these files/folders located in a convenient place ... similar to the old installations in Program Files.
Any help would be appreciated.
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Re: Best Installation Approach
Hello,
If your application accesses or install resources which requires administrator rights, then you should have a per-machine installation type and it is recommended to install your application in Program Files folder. Also, please keep in mind that if you distribute your application as a per-machine installation then only users with administrator rights will be able to install or update it.
If you want to have a per-user installation type, which doesn't requires administrator rights, then you should use a user specific install location (i.e. C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Application Data\).
If you have any questions let me know.
All the best,
Daniel
If your application accesses or install resources which requires administrator rights, then you should have a per-machine installation type and it is recommended to install your application in Program Files folder. Also, please keep in mind that if you distribute your application as a per-machine installation then only users with administrator rights will be able to install or update it.
If you want to have a per-user installation type, which doesn't requires administrator rights, then you should use a user specific install location (i.e. C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Application Data\).
If you have any questions let me know.
All the best,
Daniel
Re: Best Installation Approach
If I have customers that may use Win XP and others that use Win 7 ... should I be creating different setup files?
Re: Best Installation Approach
Hello,
No, using Advanced Installer you can create a single MSI or EXE install file that will run on both, Windows XP and Windows 7, operating systems.
All the best,
Daniel
No, using Advanced Installer you can create a single MSI or EXE install file that will run on both, Windows XP and Windows 7, operating systems.
All the best,
Daniel
Re: Best Installation Approach
That's great...what setup configuration do I use ... for example...will this application folder work on Win XP [AppDataFolder][Manufacturer]\[ProductName] ?
Secondly...my software is being used by Business Users ... what is the preferred Installation Type...Per User, Per Machine ???
My goal is to make the installation as painless as possible. I want to avoid having to use Administrative Privileges if at all possible.
Thanks so much for your assistance.
Arne
Secondly...my software is being used by Business Users ... what is the preferred Installation Type...Per User, Per Machine ???
My goal is to make the installation as painless as possible. I want to avoid having to use Administrative Privileges if at all possible.
Thanks so much for your assistance.
Arne
Re: Best Installation Approach
Hello Arne,
Yes, the related application folder path works on Windows XP and is resolved accordingly on every operating system. Please take a look on our "Folder Paths" article.
If you want to have a convenient application package which will not require administrator rights, then your application package should have a "Per-user only" installation type and should use [AppDataFolder][Manufacturer]\[ProductName] as application folder path.
All the best,
Daniel
That's great...what setup configuration do I use ... for example...will this application folder work on Win XP [AppDataFolder][Manufacturer]\[ProductName] ?
Yes, the related application folder path works on Windows XP and is resolved accordingly on every operating system. Please take a look on our "Folder Paths" article.
Secondly...my software is being used by Business Users ... what is the preferred Installation Type...Per User, Per Machine ???
My goal is to make the installation as painless as possible. I want to avoid having to use Administrative Privileges if at all possible.
If you want to have a convenient application package which will not require administrator rights, then your application package should have a "Per-user only" installation type and should use [AppDataFolder][Manufacturer]\[ProductName] as application folder path.
All the best,
Daniel