How to Create Professional-Quality Installers for Your Applications with Advanced Installer Architect 16.7 with Patch
Advanced Installer Architect 16.7 with Patch: A Comprehensive Review
If you are a developer or a system administrator who needs to create reliable MSI packages for your applications, you might have heard of Advanced Installer Architect. This is a Windows Installer authoring tool that simplifies the process of building Windows Installer packages by providing a user-friendly and easy to use graphical user interface. In this article, we will review Advanced Installer Architect 16.7 with Patch, the latest version of this powerful tool. We will cover its features and benefits, how to download and install it, how to use it to create MSI packages, and how to update and extend your packages with advanced features.
Advanced Installer Architect 16.7 with Patch
What is Advanced Installer Architect?
Advanced Installer Architect is a Windows Installer authoring tool that enables developers and system administrators to easily build reliable MSI packages for their applications. MSI (Microsoft Installer) is the standard software installation technology on Windows, which offers many advantages over other formats, such as:
Standardized installation process
Easy deployment and management
Support for patches and upgrades
Customization and localization options
Security and integrity checks
Integration with Windows features (such as UAC, services, registry, etc.)
However, creating MSI packages can be complex and time-consuming if you use low-level tools or manual methods. That's where Advanced Installer Architect comes in handy. It offers a high-level interface to the underlying Windows Installer technology, allowing you to create MSI packages in minutes without writing any code or scripts. You just have to follow a few simple steps, hit the Build button, and your installer is ready to use.
Features and benefits of Advanced Installer Architect
Advanced Installer Architect is not just a simple MSI builder. It is a comprehensive solution that offers many features and benefits for creating professional-quality installers for your applications. Some of these features are:
A modern and intuitive user interface that guides you through every step of the process
A rich set of project templates that cover various scenarios (such as desktop applications, web applications, services, drivers, etc.)
An extensive library of predefined resources (such as frameworks, libraries, merge modules, etc.) that you can include in your packages with just a few clicks
A powerful editor that allows you to customize every aspect of your package (such as files and folders, registry entries , shortcuts, dialogs, etc.)
A built-in updater that allows you to deliver updates and patches to your users automatically
A support for advanced installer formats, such as MSIX, AppX, App-V, etc.
A command-line interface that allows you to automate and integrate your build process with other tools
A trial and licensing system that allows you to protect your software from piracy and generate revenue
A debugging and testing tool that allows you to troubleshoot and fix any issues with your packages
A documentation and support system that provides you with detailed guides, tutorials, videos, forums, etc.
With Advanced Installer Architect, you can create MSI packages that are compatible with all Windows versions, from XP to 10, and with all Windows Server versions, from 2003 to 2019. You can also create MSI packages that are compliant with the latest Microsoft standards and best practices, such as Windows Logo certification, UAC elevation, digital signatures, etc.
How to download and install Advanced Installer Architect 16.7 with Patch
If you want to try out Advanced Installer Architect 16.7 with Patch, you can download it from the official website. The download file is a self-extracting executable that contains the installer and the patch. The file size is about 140 MB. To install Advanced Installer Architect 16.7 with Patch, follow these steps:
Run the downloaded file and extract it to a folder of your choice
Run the setup.exe file from the extracted folder and follow the installation wizard
Choose the Architect edition when prompted and enter your license key if you have one (you can also request a trial key from the website)
Complete the installation process and launch Advanced Installer Architect
Run the patch.exe file from the extracted folder and click on Patch button
Restart Advanced Installer Architect and enjoy the full version
Note: The patch is a crack that bypasses the license verification of Advanced Installer Architect. It is not an official update from the developer. Use it at your own risk. We do not endorse or support any illegal or unethical use of software.
How to use Advanced Installer Architect to create reliable MSI packages
Now that you have installed Advanced Installer Architect 16.7 with Patch, you are ready to create your first MSI package. In this section, we will show you how to use Advanced Installer Architect to create a simple MSI package for a desktop application. We will cover the following steps:
Creating a new project
Adding files and folders
Configuring installation settings
Building and testing your package
Creating a new project
The first step is to create a new project in Advanced Installer Architect. A project is a file that contains all the information and resources for your MSI package. To create a new project, follow these steps:
Launch Advanced Installer Architect and click on New button on the toolbar or press Ctrl+N on your keyboard
Select Simple from the Project type list and click on Next button
Enter a name for your project (for example, MyApplication) and choose a location for your project file (for example, C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Advanced Installer Projects)
Click on Finish button to create your project
Adding files and folders
The next step is to add the files and folders that you want to include in your MSI package. These are the files and folders that will be installed on the target system when your package is run. To add files and folders to your project, follow these steps:
In the left pane of Advanced Installer Architect, select Files and Folders under Application Information
In the right pane, right-click on Application Folder and select Add Files... or Add Folder... from the context menu (you can also drag and drop files and folders from Windows Explorer)
Browse to the location of your files and folders (for example, C:\Users\YourName\Documents\MyApplication) and select them (you can select multiple items by holding Ctrl or Shift keys)
Click on Open button to add them to your project (you can also edit their properties by double-clicking on them)
Configuring installation settings
The next step is to configure the installation settings for your MSI package. These are the settings that determine how your package will behave when it is run on the target system. Some of these settings are:
The name and version of your application
The installation directory and disk space requirements
The installation mode (per-user or per-machine)
The installation prerequisites (such as .NET Framework, Visual C++ Redistributable, etc.)
The installation user interface (such as dialogs, banners, icons, etc.)
The installation actions (such as creating shortcuts, registering file associations, etc.)
To configure the installation settings for your project, follow these steps:
In the left pane of Advanced Installer Architect, select Product Details under Application Information
In the right pane, enter the name and version of your application (for example, MyApplication 1.0) and other details (such as publisher, website, support URL, etc.)
In the left pane, select Install Parameters under Application Information
In the right pane, choose the installation directory and disk space requirements for your application (you can use variables to make them dynamic)
In the left pane, select Install Parameters under Application Information
In the right pane, choose the installation mode for your application (per-user or per-machine) and other options (such as reboot behavior, logging level, etc.)
In the left pane, select Prerequisites under Application Information
In the right pane, select the prerequisites that your application requires from the list (you can also add custom prerequisites by clicking on New button)
In the left pane, select User Interface under Dialogs
In the right pane, customize the user interface for your installation by choosing a theme, editing dialogs, adding banners, changing icons, etc.
In the left pane, select Shortcuts under Resources
In the right pane, create shortcuts for your application by right-clicking on Desktop or Start Menu and selecting New Shortcut from the context menu (you can also edit their properties by double-clicking on them)
In the left pane, select File Associations under Resources
In the right pane, create file associations for your application by right-clicking on File Associations and selecting New File Association from the context menu (you can also edit their properties by double-clicking on them)
Building and testing your package
The final step is to build and test your MSI package. Building your package means compiling all the information and resources in your project into a single executable file that can be distributed and installed on the target system. Testing your package means running it on a virtual or real machine to check if it works as expected and if there are any errors or issues. To build and test your package, follow these steps:
In the toolbar of Advanced Installer Architect, click on Build button or press F7 on your keyboard
Wait for the build process to complete and check the output window for any warnings or errors
If the build is successful, you will see a message saying "Build finished" and the location of your MSI file (for example, C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Advanced Installer Projects\MyApplication\MyApplication 1.0.msi)
To test your package, you can either use the Test button on the toolbar or double-click on the MSI file
Follow the installation wizard and check if your application is installed correctly and if all the settings and actions are applied
If you encounter any problems, you can use the Debug button on the toolbar or press F5 on your keyboard to launch a debugging session that will allow you to inspect and modify the installation process
How to update and extend your MSI packages with Advanced Installer Architect
Once you have created your MSI package, you might want to update or extend it with new features or fixes. Advanced Installer Architect allows you to do that easily and efficiently by using some advanced features, such as:
MSIX modification packages
Side-by-side installations
Custom actions and scripts
Using MSIX modification packages
MSIX is a new installer format that Microsoft introduced in Windows 10. It is designed to improve the security, reliability, and performance of Windows applications by using a container-based approach. MSIX packages are similar to MSI packages, but they have some additional benefits, such as:
Isolation from the system and other applications
Automatic updates from the Microsoft Store or other sources
Easy uninstallation without leaving any traces
Support for modern app features (such as notifications, live tiles, etc.)
If you want to create MSIX packages for your applications, you can use Advanced Installer Architect to convert your existing MSI projects into MSIX projects with just a few clicks. You can also use Advanced Installer Architect to create MSIX modification packages, which are special MSIX packages that can modify or extend other MSIX packages. For example, you can use MSIX modification packages to add plugins, extensions, languages, or themes to your main application package.
To create an MSIX modification package with Advanced Installer Architect, follow these steps:
Create a new project in Advanced Installer Architect and select MSIX Modification Package from the Project type list
Select the main MSIX package that you want to modify or extend (you can browse to its location or select it from the Microsoft Store)
Add the files and folders that you want to include in your modification package (for example, plugin files, language files, theme files, etc.)
Configure any other settings that you want to apply to your modification package (such as registry entries, shortcuts, file associations, etc.)
Build and test your modification package as described in the previous section
Distribute your modification package along with your main package or separately (depending on your scenario)
Using side-by-side installations
Side-by-side installations are a feature that allows you to install multiple versions of the same application on the same system without causing any conflicts or compatibility issues. This can be useful for testing, debugging, or supporting different user groups. For example, you can install a beta version of your application alongside the stable version and switch between them as needed.
To create side-by-side installations with Advanced Installer Architect, follow these steps:
Create a new project in Advanced Installer Architect and select MSI from the Project type list
Enter the name and version of your application (for example, MyApplication 2.0 Beta) and other details
Add the files and folders that you want to include in your MSI package (for example, C:\Users\YourName\Documents\MyApplication 2.0 Beta)
Configure any other settings that you want to apply to your MSI package
In the left pane, select Product Details under Application Information
In the right pane, click on Advanced Settings button
In the Advanced Settings dialog, check the Allow side-by-side installation option and click on OK button
Build and test your MSI package as described in the previous section
Distribute your MSI package along with your other versions of your application (for example, MyApplication 1.0 Stable)
Using custom actions and scripts
Custom actions and scripts are a feature that allows you to execute custom code or commands during the installation or uninstallation process of your MSI package. This can be useful for performing complex or specific tasks that are not supported by the standard Windows Installer actions. For example, you can use custom actions and scripts to:
Run external applications or processes
Modify configuration files or databases
Register or unregister COM components or services
Display custom messages or dialogs
Validate user input or system conditions
Etc.
To create custom actions and scripts with Advanced Installer Architect, follow these steps:
In the left pane, select Custom Actions under Install Parameters
In the right pane, right-click on Custom Actions and select New Custom Action from the context menu
In the New Custom Action dialog, choose the type of custom action that you want to create (such as Launch file, Run inline script, Call function from attached native DLL, etc.) and click on OK button
In the Custom Action Properties dialog, enter the details of your custom action (such as file name, parameters, function name, script code, etc.) and click on OK button
In the right pane, drag and drop your custom action to the desired sequence and stage of the installation or uninstallation process (such as Install Execution Stage - Immediate, Install UI Sequence - After InstallWelcomeDlg, etc.)
Build and test your MSI package as described in the previous section
Conclusion
In this article, we have reviewed Advanced Installer Architect 16.7 with Patch, a Windows Installer authoring tool that simplifies the process of building reliable MSI packages for your applications. We have covered its features and benefits, how to download and install it, how to use it to create MSI packages, and how to update and extend your packages with advanced features. We hope that this article has helped you understand how Advanced Installer Architect can help you create professional-quality installers for your applications.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Advanced Installer Architect:
Q: How much does Advanced Installer Architect cost?
A: Advanced Installer Architect is a paid software that costs $3,999 per license. However, you can download a free trial version from the official website that allows you to use all the features for 30 days.
Q: What are the system requirements for Advanced Installer Architect?
A: Advanced Installer Architect requires Windows 7 or later (32-bit or 64-bit) and .NET Framework 4.6 or later. It also requires at least 4 GB of RAM and 2 GB of disk space.
Q: What are the differences between Advanced Installer Architect and other editions?
A: Advanced Installer Architect is the most complete and powerful edition of Advanced Installer. It includes all the features of other editions (such as Enterprise, Professional, Java, etc.) plus some exclusive features (such as MSIX modification packages, side-by-side installations, custom actions and scripts, etc.). You can compare the features of different editions on this page.
Q: How can I get support or feedback for Advanced Installer Architect?
A: You can get support or feedback for Advanced Installer Architect by visiting the official website and accessing the following resources:
The documentation section that provides detailed guides, tutorials, videos, and reference materials for using Advanced Installer Architect
The forum section that allows you to interact with other users and developers of Advanced Installer Architect and ask questions, share tips, report bugs, request features, etc.
The support section that allows you to contact the technical support team of Advanced Installer Architect and get assistance for any issues or problems that you encounter
The feedback section that allows you to submit your suggestions, ideas, or opinions for improving Advanced Installer Architect and making it better
Q: How can I learn more about Windows Installer and MSI packages?
A: If you want to learn more about Windows Installer and MSI packages, you can visit the following resources:
The Windows Installer documentation that provides the official information and specifications for the Windows Installer technology
The MSI SDK that provides the tools and samples for developing Windows Installer packages and applications
The WiX Toolset that provides a free and open source alternative to create Windows Installer packages using XML files
The InstallSite that provides a comprehensive collection of res