Secure, Proven Auto-Updates for Windows Applications
In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, software agility is essential, but so is security and compliance. Advanced Installer’s Auto-Updater feature strikes the perfect balance, enabling end users to effortlessly install updates without requiring administrator intervention, while giving IT managers the confidence that every update is safe, verified, and aligned with corporate policy.
Built on Industry-Standard Windows Installer (MSI) Architecture
The foundation of Advanced Installer’s Auto-Updater is the Microsoft Windows Installer (MSI) specification. MSI packages have powered enterprise software deployment for decades, offering robust logging, rollback, repair, and compliance with corporate software distribution tools (like SCCM). By leveraging this proven framework, the Auto-Updater integrates seamlessly into existing MSI-based workflows, no proprietary mechanisms or hacks required.
- Standardized Setup & Uninstall: Each update is delivered as a fresh MSI package, preserving familiar install/uninstall behavior.
- Audit & Logging: Full MSI logs ensure visibility into every installation step, easing troubleshooting and security audits.
Certificate-Based Trust: Single-Code-Signature Security
Security-conscious organizations mandate digital signing of software to prevent tampering and ensure authenticity. Advanced Installer’s Auto-Updater enforces that both the initial installer and every update package must be signed with the identical code-signing certificate.
- Initial Authentication: The original MSI or EXE installer is signed by your organization’s certificate, guaranteeing origin integrity.
- Update Verification: Before any update runs, the updater engine verifies that the new MSI bears the same digital signature as the original, protecting against malicious packages.
This simple yet powerful check prevents unauthorized code from being installed, while fitting right into existing PKI and code-signing policies.
Elevation-Only Once: End-User-Friendly Updates
The key to minimizing help-desk tickets is eliminating repeated elevation prompts. Advanced Installer’s updater.exe is designed so that:
- First-Time Install: Requires Administrator credentials for the initial application deployment (standard practice).
- Subsequent Updates: Any user on that machine that triggers an update, it runs under standard user privileges, no admin rights needed.
By decoupling updates from elevation, end users get timely feature and security patches without involving IT for every package revision.
Proven Technology, Backed by Microsoft & Industry Leaders
- Microsoft Collaboration: Advanced Installer’s MSI authoring and updater designs follow guidelines and recommendations set forth by the Windows Installer team at Microsoft. Because of our recognized professionalism, we were chosen by Microsoft to be their launching Partner for MSIX.
- Enterprise Adoption: Hundreds of ISVs and thousands of corporate customers rely on MSI-based auto-update solutions powered by Advanced Installer. Check what our customers say with detailed case studies or testimonials.
- Global Scale: Multi-national banks, Fortune 500 manufacturers, and government agencies trust Advanced Installer to deliver secure, compliant updates to tens of thousands of endpoints. Check our Customer List.
This track record demonstrates that the Auto-Updater is not an experimental add-on, but a mature, enterprise-ready feature.
The ROI of Empowered End Users
Allowing users to self-update saves organizations significant time and money:
- Reduced Help-Desk Load: Fewer tickets for routine updates.
- Faster Patch Adoption: Immediate security and feature delivery.
- Streamlined Compliance: MSI logs and signature checks satisfy audit requirements.
Once IT sees the combination of proven MSI technology, certificate-based security, and reduced operational overhead, the question becomes: Why wouldn’t we enable auto-updates? Users are happy, IT is secure, and everyone moves faster.
Ready to simplify your update process?
Reach out to our team today to see a live demo, review your code-signing workflow, and set up a trial of Advanced Installer’s Auto-Updater.