Am new to the Windows side… so I need a simple (read FREE) installer for Xojo WIndows
Or if not a 3rd part package… an acceptable process using things I may already have?
OSX makes is SO simple… 
This one is widely used:
http://documentation.xojo.com/index.php/InnoSetup
There is a link to download InnoSetup from the author’s website.
Inno Script Studio is a gui front-end for InnoSetup:
[url=https://www.kymoto.org/products/inno-script-studio[/url]
I personally use: http://www.actualinstaller.com
They have a free version, but I use the Company License version.
A simple program with a serial/License option and a update option build in.
And then Gatekeeper and Code signing came along and messed it all up .
You really need to buy into the Apple developer scheme to get a certificate, or people wont want to install your app.
And its not actually the app itself… its the demo or freeware version.
If THAT causes trouble in the install, they wont tell you, they just walk.
Mind you, the security features in Windows are just as bad for the independant developer.
Trying to explain to people where to find the ‘install anyway’ option after they get a helpful message to say the app is not commonly installed (so what?) and is therefore ‘likely to be malicious’ (wait, what???) is a lot of work.
[quote=34873:@Jeff Tullin]And then Gatekeeper and Code signing came along and messed it all up .
You really need to buy into the Apple developer scheme to get a certificate, or people wont want to install your app. [/quote]
Gatekeeper ok, code signing ok, making it not very cheap and simple… not ok.
We use http://www.advancedinstaller.com and it imports Real Studio projects. Unfortunately, it does not yet import Xojo projects.
Innosetup is one of the easier installation programs for Windows - and its FREE!
Sincerely,
Eugene
+1 for Inno
I’ve used NSIS with success.
nsis website
It’s fully scriptable. I have tried both Innosetup and NSIS, but slightly prefer NSIS.
NSIS also has a ton of plugins available.
To be fair, it’s been made tremendously simple with the latest updates.
It’s not cheap, though. I couldn’t believe you had to pay even if you didn’t want to go into the store for a gatekeeper-valid certificate but that’s what it is. Sadly.
[quote=34859:@Johnny Harris]I personally use this one:
http://www.createinstall.com/[/quote]
I have used it for years with total satisfaction. And just a few minutes ago, under Windows 8.1 Pro. The main advantage is that it perfectly manages installing fonts, which others don’t necessarily do
Hello today I discovered this tool: Bytessence Install Maker
It is free for private and commercial use and developed in basic language. It
supprts windows 95 upto Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.
http://www.bytessence.com/bim.html
I doesn`t used it yet, but it seems to be really easy to use, because of the rich user interface support. I wished I have know about it in my time as (C and C#) Windows developer. For Windows msi files I have used the Wise Installation Studio. It was the best tool for that, but isn’t further developed anymore.
Wise is bundled with Visual Studio. But as MS is force moving towards the Windows Store and Metro/RT interface, installers are no longer required for the new platform.
Inno Setup +1. Free, and I’ve used it for 12 years, no problems whatsoever.