Improved Billboards (Express Edition)
InstallShield includes several new billboard-related features that give you more flexibility and control over the look and feel of the file transfer portion of your installation.
It gives you the ability to promote additional information to end users during the installation process in a professional manner. For example, you can now add an Adobe Flash application file (.swf) as a billboard in your project. Flash application files can consist of videos, movies, sounds, interactive interfaces, games, text, and more—anything that is supported by the .swf type of file.
Support for Managed-Code Custom Actions (Professional and Premier Editions)
InstallShield lets you add managed-code custom actions to Basic MSI, InstallScript MSI, Merge Module, and Web projects. This type of custom action calls a public method in a .NET assembly that is written in managed code such as Visual Basic .NET or C#.
Custom actions work outside the realm of MSI to look for adjacent technologies needed in an install build. This new feature allows the easy import of managed code into custom versions – saving time and effort for the build engineer who previously had to write their own specific code in order to create custom actions. This feature brings a more familiar format to the process, presenting a more straightforward experience.
Support for Installing Multiple Instances of a Product (Professional and Premier Editions)
Support for creating an installation that allows an .msi package to be used to install multiple instances of a product in the same context on the same machine. Use the new Multiple Instances tab for a product configuration in the Releases view to define different instances of your product and configure the properties that are associated with each instance.
Since MSI do not natively allow multiple instances of a product, this feature is important to work around that limitation and ensure more flexibility for the ISV’s end users and as more end users work on program migrations or require multiple instances of products, this flexibility will help them with opportunities not easily available with past installations.
Associate Prerequisites with Features (All Editions)
InstallShield lets you associate InstallShield prerequisites with features to chain multiple MSIs together in a single installation. It ensures that when your end users install a feature, the prerequisite is also installed (if it wasn’t already on their machine). Feature prerequisites are useful for applications or components that are used by only some configurations of the installed product and are not used during the installation itself.
InstallShield also still supports setup prerequisites not associated with any features. Setup prerequisites are installed before the main installation begins. They are useful for base applications and technology frameworks that must be installed for all configurations of the installed product or that provide functionality that is used during the installation itself.
Windows Installer 4.5 Installation Chaining (Professional and Premier Editions)
InstallShield lets you add Windows Installer packages to Basic MSI and InstallScript MSI projects as chained MSI packages. If your Basic MSI or InstallScript MSI installation includes chained MSI packages and Windows Installer 4.5 is present on the target system, the Windows Installer installs the multiple packages as a single transaction.
If one or more of the packages in the transaction cannot be installed successfully or if the end user cancels the installation, the Windows Installer initiates rollback for all packages to restore the system to its earlier state.
Hebrew and Arabic (Saudi Arabia) Language Support (Premier Edition only)
InstallShield includes support for Hebrew and Arabic (Saudi Arabia) languages. All of the end-user dialog strings are now available in these languages.
As ISVs continue to expand the global reach of their products, InstallShield supports more languages, developers can now present installations in Hebrew and Arabic languages, which are read from right to left. InstallShield also now offers a right to left layout for dialog images, such as buttons that in the English version appear on the left now appear on the right. This brings the total number of supported languages to 35 (in the Premier Edition).
Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Support (All Editions)
InstallShield is now integrated with Visual Studio 2008, enabling development of installations and products within the same Visual Studio interface.
Many InstallShield users are also users of the Visual Studio development environment. While InstallShield had supported the previous release, Visual Studio 2005, this is the first instance of more complete support for Visual Studio 2008, which was released by Microsoft in Nov. 2007.
Windows Installer 4.5 Support (All Editions)
Create MSIs that leverage the functionality in Windows Installer 4.5.
.NET Framework 3.5 Support (All Editions)
InstallShield now supports the option to either install or include a requirement to install the .NET Framework 3.5 and the .NET Compact Framework 3.5 in Windows Installer installations—past versions of .NET are also still supported.
Several redistributables are available for mobile device installations: .NET Compact Framework 3.5, SQL Mobile 2005, SQL Client 2.0, and SQL Mobile 2005 Replication. In addition, installations for the latest smartphone support redistributables.
InstallShield ensures your .NET installations are always current and reliable. It dynamically links your install project to other Visual Studio 2005 project outputs, automatically updating your installation with your latest source files every time your product is built. Your installation projects also automatically include both Debug and Release build configurations, ensuring the proper source files will be included in your build.
New InstallShield MSI troubleshooting Tools: InstallShield MSI Diff, InstallShield MSI Query, InstallShield MSI Sleuth, InstallShield MSI Grep (Premier and Professional Edition)
Designed to smooth the experience of the setup author, four new MSI tools introduce time and effort saving opportunities.
The new MSI tools help the overall experience of the Setup Author, saving time and effort when creating an install or troubleshooting an install. These new tools provide a rich interface around common troubleshooting tasks experienced by Setup Authors. By integrating an intuitive user interface with common tasks, Acresso has simplified the process for executing these tasks.
InstallShield MSI Diff helps to compare two .msi, .msm, .pcp or .msp database files or two InstallShield project files (.ism or .ise). A color-coded visual display helps to show the differences in the files so that Setup Author can easily see what changes have been made.
InstallShield MSI Query tests SQL statements using the Windows Installer version of SQL before they are run in the build script. This ensures the accuracy of a SQL statement’s format and the end results of the SQL.
InstallShield MSI Sleuth is a diagnostic tool that lets you view the current state of installed applications on a target system. InstallShield MSI Sleuth displays a list of all of the .msi packages that are installed on a specific system
InstallShield MSI Grep acts as a intelligent “find" option, searching a collection of .msi and .msm files for specific elements
Introduction of Value Added Services with Yahoo! Toolbar availability (Professional and Premier Editions)
A new overall initiative for InstallShield, Value Added Services, such as the opportunity to include the Yahoo! Toolbar in an ISV’s end user installation experience, provides the opportunity for customers to leverage new revenue-generating features in InstallShield.
For software creators who want to deliver consistent, customised installation experiences and a range of consumer-focused preferences, the InstallShield Toolbar provides the reliable installation experience with the option to include consumer-focused tools like a search toolbar. Today’s consumers want a one-stop shop for software options like including a search toolbar, and ISVs seek new revenue opportunities for software products. With the installation, a consumer can choose to install the search engine toolbar and earn the ISV revenue with each search from that toolbar.
Separate installer for setup on other machines in addition to that with the main InstallShield install (Premier Edition)
Customers who purchase the Premier Edition of InstallShield 2009 receive a separate installer that will enable them to setup InstallShield on more than 1 machine.
The Choice for Targeting Windows Platforms, Including Vista
- InstallShield has the capabilities to easily create Vista Logo Certified setups, including support for the Restart Manager, UAC, Vista validation testing, the beta of Windows Installer 4.5, and more.
- It supports Microsoft’s latest products, including Visual Studio 2008, .NET Framework 3.5, MSBuild, and Direct X 9.0c.
- Expand installations to servers and Web services, including IIS 7.0, Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server 2005, and Windows Server 2008.
- Target mobile devices with support for Windows Mobile 6.x, Windows Embedded CE 6.x, and PalmOS 3.5 and later.
The Easy Way to Build Reliable, Flexible Installations
InstallShield makes it easy to create professional installations for even the most complex products, giving them a superior first impression.
- Tailor the look and feel of installation dialogs to your specifications with the Visual Dialog Editor.
- InstallScript gives you maximum flexibility in your installations.
- Maintain a clean build system with the Standalone Build Engine’s automation interface.
- Simplified patch and upgrade creation, debugging, and build report tools substantially increase installation quality.
Cut Your Software Development Time
Although InstallShield is loaded with powerful capabilities, it’s still simple to use. It has timesaving features that help you meet tight deadlines.
- InstallShield’s powerful IDE, automated wizards, templates, and pre-built objects save you significant time.
- The Project Assistant walks you step-bystep through the setup creation process, helping you avoid errors.
- The InstallShield Best Practices Validation Suite helps you avoid issues that can cause lengthy delays.
- One InstallShield setup can present text in up to 35 languages, no manual translation needed.
Express
InstallShield Express Edition is ideal for software developers and setup authors looking for a quick, easy, and cost-effective solution for creating reliable Windows Installer (MSI) installations.
Unlike homegrown solutions, the Express Edition shields you from the complexities of building a setup. It comes with an easy-to-use Project Assistant – a wizard that guides you through the MSI installation authoring process, step-by-step.
InstallShield Express Edition also helps you author professional installations optimised for Windows Vista.
- Easy to learn and use –InstallShield Express Edition sizably reduces the time required for setup authors to successfully complete installation projects. It also lets experienced developers save time by more efficiently jumpstarting new projects.
- Fits into any budget –InstallShield Express Edition is ideal for software developers and setup authors looking for a cost-effective solution for creating reliable Windows Installer (MSI) installations.
- Available in different languages –InstallShield Express Edition is available in English, German, and Japanese to offer developers the flexibility to build in their own language.
Professional
InstallShield Professional Edition is a powerful yet easy-to-use solution, ideal for both novice and seasoned installation developers. While most homegrown installation tools are not optimised for current industry standards, InstallShield Professional makes your life easy by letting you take advantage of latest technologies—including full support for Windows Vista.
Using InstallShield Professional Edition, developers can:
- Reduce development time — Quickly and easily build your installations by moving pieces of an existing project (dialogs, custom actions, or features) to another installation project; create and manage re-usable project outlines so you don't have to start your installations from scratch
- Easily customise your installations — Modify the layout of existing end-user dialogs or create new ones for each language your installation supports; manage multiple product versions, allowing specific features to be included in a release via user-defined flags; and much more
- Better control your installations with InstallScript — Add InstallScript custom actions to your MSI projects or create InstallScript projects that control your entire installation
- Get advanced support for latest technologies — Windows Vista, .NET Framework 3.5, IIS 7.0, SQL Server 2005, Windows Server 2008, Direct X 9.0c, Windows Mobile platforms, and more; edit XML files; and add 64-bit support to your installations
- Validate your installations for Windows Vista - Easily test your installations for Windows Vista compatibility and save time and money by validating full projects and merge modules to ensure compliance with extensive "Certified for Windows Vista" program guidelines before you apply
InstallShield Professional Edition is available as either a node-locked or concurrent license.
Premier
InstallShield is the industry-standard tool for ensuring that your Windows software products are correctly installed, configured, updated, and eventually uninstalled on your customers' systems. The top-tier InstallShield Premier is the most powerful, capable, and widely-used edition among installation developers worldwide.
With support for the latest technologies, significant performance and quality improvements, and functionality that lets you fully leverage the capabilities of Windows Vista, InstallShield Premier is the most robust Edition ever.
InstallShield Premier Edition gives you all the capabilities of our Profession Edition, plus tons of exclusive functionality, including:
- Avoid common installation issues—Validators in the InstallShield Best Practices Validation Suite alert you if your installation violates any best practices guidelines
- Maintain a clean build system—With the stand alone build engine, you can use only the part of InstallShield that compiles installations
- Improve your end user's experience - with refreshed end-user dialog designs
- Easily convert legacy installations into MSI packages—with InstallShield Repackager
- Localise your installation—InstallShield's multilingual support lets you create installations for 35 runtime languages from one installation project
- Quickly roll out new installations—With network repositories, it's now easy to build a repository of common elements that multiple installation authors can access and reuse in projects
- Create trial versions without modifying code—With the try-and-die type of trialware's simple configuration changes, you can easily offer potential customers a fully functional trial version of your product (After the predetermined trial limit has been reached on an end user's machine, the trial version automatically expires.)
- Save time with four InstallShield MSI Tools—Four new InstallShield MSI tools save you time and effort by providing a rich UI for common troubleshooting tasks
- Add revenue opportunities to installs– With Value-Added Services such as the opportunity to deploy a search engine with installations, earn additional revenue for your organisation
- Maximise team efficiencies—With support for InstallShield Collaboration, a plug-in for the Visual Studio development environment
InstallShield Premier Edition is available as either a node-locked or concurrent license.
For systems running InstallShield
Processor
Pentium III-class PC (500 MHz or higher recommended)
RAM
256 MB of RAM (512 MB preferred)
Hard Disk
500 MB free space
Display
Designed for XGA resolution at 1024 × 768 or higher
Operating System
- Windows 2000 SP3 or later
- Windows XP
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Vista
- Windows Server 2008
Browser
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 (IE 5.5 or later recommended)
Privileges
Administrative privileges on the system
Mouse
Microsoft IntelliMouse or other compatible pointing device
For Target Systems (Desktop Computers)
Target systems must meet the following minimum operating system requirement:
- Windows 2000
- Windows XP
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Vista
- Windows Server 2008
For Target Systems (Mobile Devices)
InstallShield includes support for adding mobile device installations to desktop installations that use Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center or Microsoft ActiveSync to transfer files to a mobile device.
InstallShield also includes support for straight-to-device installations that do not use Windows Mobile Device Center, ActiveSync, or any other desktop component.
Windows Mobile Device Requirements
InstallShield supports many Windows Mobile platforms and processors. The Windows Mobile platforms are:
- Windows Mobile 6.x Professional and Classic
- Windows Mobile 6.x Standard
- Windows Embedded CE 6.x
- Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC
- Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone
- Windows CE .NET 5.0
- Windows CE .NET 4.x
- Pocket PC 2003
- Pocket PC 2002
- Pocket PC
- Palm-size PC 2.11
- Palm-size PC 2.01
- Handheld PC 2000
- Handheld PC Pro
- Handheld PC 2.0
- Smartphone 2003
- Smartphone 2002
Note that if a platform is not included in the list, it does not mean InstallShield does not support it. It simply means that you cannot set conditions for that specific platform by default. To add support for additional platforms or to change the conditions for targeting a specific platform, you can modify the Settings.xml file that is installed with InstallShield.
InstallShield includes support for the following Windows Mobile processors:
- ARM920
- ARM820
- ARM720
- Common Executable Format
- Hitachi SH4
- Hitachi SH3E
- Hitachi SH3
- i686
- i586
- i486
- MIPS R4000
- MIPS R3000
- MIPS R2000
- SHx SH4
- SHx SH3
- StrongARM-XScale
Palm OS Device Requirements
InstallShield supports Palm OS 3.5 and later.
Desktop Requirements for Windows Mobile Device Installations
Requirements for the desktop computers that are used to install applications on Windows Mobile devices are:
- Microsoft ActiveSync 3.x or later on Windows XP (ActiveSync 4.x is required for Windows Mobile 5.x or later devices)
- Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center on Windows Vista
- Administrative privileges
Desktop Requirements for Palm OS Device Installations
Palm HotSync is required for the desktop computers that are used to install applications on Palm OS devices.