In a previous blog article, we discussed what an EXE setup file is, how it differs from an MSI installer, and other general EXE file particulars related to Windows setup.exe.

In this release, Advanced Installer introduces WinGet manifest generation, allowing you to create WinGet manifests directly inside the application, without the hassle of managing YAML files or external scripts. We’ve also expanded support for MSIX App Attach, enabling you to generate VHD, VHDX, and CIMFS images for modern deployment scenarios.

The message is clear: PowerShell is taking over the scripting world within the Windows OS. Until now, many different scripting languages have been used, with batch scripting being the most popular, and later replaced by VBScript.

If you’re an IT administrator managing multiple Windows servers, you may have heard of Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT). RSAT is a collection of Microsoft utilities that let you manage Windows Server roles and features remotely from a Windows client machine — meaning you don’t need to log in to the server itself to perform administrative tasks.

Visual Studio is a complete development environment for writing, testing, and deploying applications across different platforms. Beyond coding, it also supports creating MSI installers directly within the IDE.

One of the greatest things about software packaging is the variety of choices available to you to achieve your objectives. However, having too many alternatives to choose from can make it challenging to pick the best one for your requirements.

Creating installer packages sometimes requires presenting item lists in custom dialogs, where data must line up cleanly rather than drift into uneven text blocks. Advanced Installer offers controls such as ComboBox, ListBox, and CheckListView. However, to correctly align columns in these controls, there are some steps you should be aware of.

PSADT 4.1.X finally brings direct user interaction to Intune deployments, so no more ServiceUI.exe. The new Invoke-AppDeployToolkit.exe automatically detects active sessions, displaying messages and prompts right from Intune. But the new Defer feature doesn’t work on an exact timer; it depends on Intune’s own unpredictable recheck cycle.

Automatically converting your App-V application to MSIX spares you from rebuilding it from the ground up.

Advanced Installer 23.2 delivers key enhancements across PowerShell automation, UI performance, and compatibility with the latest Windows and .NET versions.

The Windows Installer service is a standard in the industry when it comes to software packages, but it doesn’t mean it’s not prone to errors.

Converting PowerShell scripts into standalone executables with PS2EXE has always carried one persistent inconvenience: the external files.

Modern-day application packaging often relies on free, open-source scripting methods, and one of the most widely adopted is the PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit (PSADT). However, there are cases where PSADT alone is not sufficient. In such cases, the Advanced Installer Architect steps in to complement the workflow of an application packager.

Software updates are an important part of keeping applications secure, stable, and competitive. But they also serve as a valuable business tool, as each new release is an opportunity to remind customers of your product and encourage them to maintain or renew their subscription.

Customizing the App Installer UI used to require manually editing an XML file and adding it to your MSIX application. With Advanced Installer, however, you can do the customization directly from its graphical user interface, no XML editing is required.

Windows fonts are a set of digital files that define how text appears on the screen or in print.

The Windows services are apps that run in the background of the Windows operating system without direct user interaction. But how do you build and install a .NET-based service?

Advanced Installer 23.1 introduces AppInstaller UI customization, allowing you to design a unique installation experience directly from our graphical interface. No more manual XML editing — you can now configure the installer window title, checkbox positions, accent colors, logos, button text, and alignment options with just a few clicks.

In a previous article, we covered the software packaging and testing checklist, along with best practices for follow up.

The operating system manages Windows Services, the background processes that can run continuously without user interaction.