Description
InstallShield 2008 helps software producers of all sizes author high-quality installations for Windows platforms, including Vista, extend them to configure database servers, Web services, and mobile devices. InstallShield is the industry standard for Windows Installer and InstallScript installations.
According to IBM, 28% of application failures are related to installation and configuration errors. Yet many software producers continue to rely on home-grown or out-of-date installations that increase their support costs and their customers frustration. Introduced on more than 500 million PCs worldwide, InstallShield technology combines power and flexibility with ease-of-use. It offers a simple way to create reliable, professional installations for even the most complex applications, keeping your customers happy and your support costs down.
New Features:
* Ability to Target Windows Server Longhorn Systems
InstallShield enables you to specify that your installation requires Windows Server Longhorn. It also lets you build Windows Server Longhornrelated conditions for features and components. Note that Windows Vista and Windows Server Longhorn use the same major and minor version numbers. Therefore, if you want to use InstallScript to distinguish between Windows Server Longhorn and Windows Vista, check whether SYSINFO.nOSProductType = VER_NT_WORKSTATION; for Windows Vista, this is TRUE; for Windows Server Longhorn, it is FALSE.
* New Microsoft .NET Prerequisites Available
InstallShield now includes many new .NET-related setup prerequisites that you can add to Basic MSI and InstallScript MSI projects:
- .NET Framework 2.0 (x64)
- .NET Framework 2.0 (x64) Language Packs
- .NET Framework 2.0 (IA64)
- .NET Framework 2.0 (IA64) Language Packs
- .NET Framework 3.0 (x64)
Updated Microsoft .NET Object for InstallScript Projects
An updated Microsoft .NET object is available in InstallShield. This object includes support for versions 1.0 (SP3), 1.1 (SP1), 2.0, and 3.0 of the .NET Framework, including 32-bit, 64-bit x64, and 64-bit Itanium versions. The object also includes all supported language packs, and the latest service packs of 1.0 and 1.1.
In addition, the object launches and completes the .NET Framework installation as the feature containing the .NET object installs. This allows the .NET Framework to be available as early as possible, in case it is needed to install or configure files that are subsequently installed during the installation.
Updated Windows Installer Object for InstallScript Projects
The Windows Installer 3.x Engine object for InstallScript projects now supports 64-bit versions of Windows Installer 3.1. In addition, the object launches and completes the Windows Installer installation when the feature that contains the Windows Installer object is installed. This allows the Windows Installer engine to be available as early as possible, in case it is needed to install or configure files that are subsequently installed during the installation.
Support for Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 and SSL
InstallShield now includes support for IIS 7.
In addition, InstallShield lets you include an SSL certificate for a Web site in your installation. Including an SSL server certificate enables users to authenticate the Web server, check the validity of the Web content, and establish a secure connection.
Windows Embedded CE 6.x Support
InstallShield now enables you to specifically target installations for Windows Embedded CE 6.x. This applies to Basic MSI, InstallScript MSI, and Smart Device projects.
In addition, the Windows Mobile Wizard now enables you to specify configuration XML files for any Windows Mobile device installations. Previously, only Smartphone device installations could include configuration XML files.
Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone Support
InstallShield now enables you to specifically target installations for Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone devices. Previously, you had to select the Smartphone 2003 option if you wanted to include support for Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone devices in your installation. This applies to Basic MSI, InstallScript MSI, and Smart Device projects.
Support for .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SP1
InstallShield now adds to your project the .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SP1 if you select .NET Compact Framework 2.0 in the Windows Mobile Wizard, and if .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SP1 is available on your system. The .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SP1 must be installed, or it must be added to the Support folder in the InstallShield Program Files folder.
This applies to Basic MSI, InstallScript MSI, and Smart Device projects.
Updated MSDE 2000 SP4 Object for InstallScript Projects
The MSDE 2000 object for InstallScript projects now contains the MSDE 2000 SP4 files.
For more information about objects, Adding Merge Modules and Objects to Your Project.
FLEXnet Connect Support
You can add a redistributable for FLEXnet Connect 6.1 or 5.x to Basic MSI and InstallScript MSI projects. In addition, you can add a redistributable for FLEXnet Connect 6.0 to InstallScript projects.
The Update Notifications view in Basic MSI and InstallScript MSI projects lets you select which version of FLEXnet Connect you want to include in your project. You can include version 6.1 or any legacy version that is installed in any of the locations that are specified in the Merge Module Location area on the Merge Module tab of the Options dialog box.
The Update Notifications view includes a new Vendor Database setting, which FLEXnet Connect 6.1 supports.
Support for the UAC Shield Icon on Dialog Buttons (Basic MSI Projects)
For any new Basic MSI projects that you create, the Install button on the ReadyToInstall dialog now has the User Account Control (UAC) shield icon when the installation is run on Windows Vista systems.
In addition, you can now add the shield icon to any button in a Basic MSI dialog through the Dialog Editor in the Dialogs view. If you are using InstallShield on a Windows Vista system, you can see the shield icon on a button in the Dialog Editor as it will be displayed at run time.
New End-User Dialog Themes for Basic MSI Projects
Dialog themes are predefined sets of images that give your end-user dialogs a unified and distinctive look. With the click of a button, you can now select one of the available themes for your project, and InstallShield applies that theme to all of the interior and exterior dialogs, as well as the Setup.exe initialization dialog, in your project. You can easily preview each dialog from within the Dialogs view to see how it looks with the selected theme.
Expanded Operating System Condition Settings in the Setup Prerequisite Editor
The Setup Prerequisite Editor now enables you to specify more details about operating system requirements when you are creating conditions for a prerequisite. The Prerequisite Condition dialog box, which is displayed when you are adding or modifying a condition for a prerequisite through the Setup Prerequisite Editor, lets you select a predefined operating system or select the custom option. With the new custom option, you can configure settings for operating system requirements such as platform, major and minor versions, processor architecture (64-bit or 32-bit), and service pack. If a target system does not meet the operating system requirements, the prerequisite is not installed.
InstallShield Best Practice Suite Available in Premier Edition
InstallShield includes a set of validators called the InstallShield Best Practice Suite. The InstallShield Best Practice (ISBP) validators in this suite alert you if your installation violates best-practice guidelines.
This feature is available for Basic MSI, InstallScript MSI, and MSI Database projects.
Support for 64-Bit Self-Registration of COM Servers (Basic MSI Projects)
InstallShield now includes support for 64-bit self-registration of COM servers in Basic MSI projects. If you mark a component as 64 bit and then add a file to that component, you can select the files Self Register check box to enable 64-bit self-registration of that file during installation. In addition, InstallShield also supports 64-bit self-registration of dynamically linked COM servers.
The List of Enhancements:
* XML File Change Enhancements;
* Enhanced User Account Control Support for InstallScript Projects;
* Enhanced Support for the SecureCustomProperties Property;
* Automatic Downgrade Prevention Entries in Basic MSI and InstallScript MSI Projects;
* Changes for ALLUSERS and for the Customer Information Dialog;
* Usability Enhancements for Releases;
* Usability Enhancements for Custom Actions and Sequences;
* Shortcuts View Enhancements;
* Ability to Change the Product Version from the Command Line or Through an MSBuild Task Parameter;
* Ability to Override Windows Installer Property Values from the Command Line;
* Usability Enhancements for the Files and Folders view, the Registry View, and the Redistributables View;
* New Setting for Specifying Whether an IIS Web Server Should Allow the CMD Command to Be Used for SSI #exec Directives;
* New Host Header Name Setting for IIS Web Sites;
* Ability to Specify Whether New SQL Connections Should Share the Same Windows Installer Properties;
* SQLLogin Dialog Enhancements;
* Database Import Wizard Enhancements;
* New Windows Installer Property for Specifying SQL Connections That Should Not Be Installed or Uninstalled;
and much more
According to IBM, 28% of application failures are related to installation and configuration errors. Yet many software producers continue to rely on home-grown or out-of-date installations that increase their support costs and their customers frustration. Introduced on more than 500 million PCs worldwide, InstallShield technology combines power and flexibility with ease-of-use. It offers a simple way to create reliable, professional installations for even the most complex applications, keeping your customers happy and your support costs down.
New Features:
* Ability to Target Windows Server Longhorn Systems
InstallShield enables you to specify that your installation requires Windows Server Longhorn. It also lets you build Windows Server Longhornrelated conditions for features and components. Note that Windows Vista and Windows Server Longhorn use the same major and minor version numbers. Therefore, if you want to use InstallScript to distinguish between Windows Server Longhorn and Windows Vista, check whether SYSINFO.nOSProductType = VER_NT_WORKSTATION; for Windows Vista, this is TRUE; for Windows Server Longhorn, it is FALSE.
* New Microsoft .NET Prerequisites Available
InstallShield now includes many new .NET-related setup prerequisites that you can add to Basic MSI and InstallScript MSI projects:
- .NET Framework 2.0 (x64)
- .NET Framework 2.0 (x64) Language Packs
- .NET Framework 2.0 (IA64)
- .NET Framework 2.0 (IA64) Language Packs
- .NET Framework 3.0 (x64)
Updated Microsoft .NET Object for InstallScript Projects
An updated Microsoft .NET object is available in InstallShield. This object includes support for versions 1.0 (SP3), 1.1 (SP1), 2.0, and 3.0 of the .NET Framework, including 32-bit, 64-bit x64, and 64-bit Itanium versions. The object also includes all supported language packs, and the latest service packs of 1.0 and 1.1.
In addition, the object launches and completes the .NET Framework installation as the feature containing the .NET object installs. This allows the .NET Framework to be available as early as possible, in case it is needed to install or configure files that are subsequently installed during the installation.
Updated Windows Installer Object for InstallScript Projects
The Windows Installer 3.x Engine object for InstallScript projects now supports 64-bit versions of Windows Installer 3.1. In addition, the object launches and completes the Windows Installer installation when the feature that contains the Windows Installer object is installed. This allows the Windows Installer engine to be available as early as possible, in case it is needed to install or configure files that are subsequently installed during the installation.
Support for Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 and SSL
InstallShield now includes support for IIS 7.
In addition, InstallShield lets you include an SSL certificate for a Web site in your installation. Including an SSL server certificate enables users to authenticate the Web server, check the validity of the Web content, and establish a secure connection.
Windows Embedded CE 6.x Support
InstallShield now enables you to specifically target installations for Windows Embedded CE 6.x. This applies to Basic MSI, InstallScript MSI, and Smart Device projects.
In addition, the Windows Mobile Wizard now enables you to specify configuration XML files for any Windows Mobile device installations. Previously, only Smartphone device installations could include configuration XML files.
Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone Support
InstallShield now enables you to specifically target installations for Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone devices. Previously, you had to select the Smartphone 2003 option if you wanted to include support for Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone devices in your installation. This applies to Basic MSI, InstallScript MSI, and Smart Device projects.
Support for .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SP1
InstallShield now adds to your project the .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SP1 if you select .NET Compact Framework 2.0 in the Windows Mobile Wizard, and if .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SP1 is available on your system. The .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SP1 must be installed, or it must be added to the Support folder in the InstallShield Program Files folder.
This applies to Basic MSI, InstallScript MSI, and Smart Device projects.
Updated MSDE 2000 SP4 Object for InstallScript Projects
The MSDE 2000 object for InstallScript projects now contains the MSDE 2000 SP4 files.
For more information about objects, Adding Merge Modules and Objects to Your Project.
FLEXnet Connect Support
You can add a redistributable for FLEXnet Connect 6.1 or 5.x to Basic MSI and InstallScript MSI projects. In addition, you can add a redistributable for FLEXnet Connect 6.0 to InstallScript projects.
The Update Notifications view in Basic MSI and InstallScript MSI projects lets you select which version of FLEXnet Connect you want to include in your project. You can include version 6.1 or any legacy version that is installed in any of the locations that are specified in the Merge Module Location area on the Merge Module tab of the Options dialog box.
The Update Notifications view includes a new Vendor Database setting, which FLEXnet Connect 6.1 supports.
Support for the UAC Shield Icon on Dialog Buttons (Basic MSI Projects)
For any new Basic MSI projects that you create, the Install button on the ReadyToInstall dialog now has the User Account Control (UAC) shield icon when the installation is run on Windows Vista systems.
In addition, you can now add the shield icon to any button in a Basic MSI dialog through the Dialog Editor in the Dialogs view. If you are using InstallShield on a Windows Vista system, you can see the shield icon on a button in the Dialog Editor as it will be displayed at run time.
New End-User Dialog Themes for Basic MSI Projects
Dialog themes are predefined sets of images that give your end-user dialogs a unified and distinctive look. With the click of a button, you can now select one of the available themes for your project, and InstallShield applies that theme to all of the interior and exterior dialogs, as well as the Setup.exe initialization dialog, in your project. You can easily preview each dialog from within the Dialogs view to see how it looks with the selected theme.
Expanded Operating System Condition Settings in the Setup Prerequisite Editor
The Setup Prerequisite Editor now enables you to specify more details about operating system requirements when you are creating conditions for a prerequisite. The Prerequisite Condition dialog box, which is displayed when you are adding or modifying a condition for a prerequisite through the Setup Prerequisite Editor, lets you select a predefined operating system or select the custom option. With the new custom option, you can configure settings for operating system requirements such as platform, major and minor versions, processor architecture (64-bit or 32-bit), and service pack. If a target system does not meet the operating system requirements, the prerequisite is not installed.
InstallShield Best Practice Suite Available in Premier Edition
InstallShield includes a set of validators called the InstallShield Best Practice Suite. The InstallShield Best Practice (ISBP) validators in this suite alert you if your installation violates best-practice guidelines.
This feature is available for Basic MSI, InstallScript MSI, and MSI Database projects.
Support for 64-Bit Self-Registration of COM Servers (Basic MSI Projects)
InstallShield now includes support for 64-bit self-registration of COM servers in Basic MSI projects. If you mark a component as 64 bit and then add a file to that component, you can select the files Self Register check box to enable 64-bit self-registration of that file during installation. In addition, InstallShield also supports 64-bit self-registration of dynamically linked COM servers.
The List of Enhancements:
* XML File Change Enhancements;
* Enhanced User Account Control Support for InstallScript Projects;
* Enhanced Support for the SecureCustomProperties Property;
* Automatic Downgrade Prevention Entries in Basic MSI and InstallScript MSI Projects;
* Changes for ALLUSERS and for the Customer Information Dialog;
* Usability Enhancements for Releases;
* Usability Enhancements for Custom Actions and Sequences;
* Shortcuts View Enhancements;
* Ability to Change the Product Version from the Command Line or Through an MSBuild Task Parameter;
* Ability to Override Windows Installer Property Values from the Command Line;
* Usability Enhancements for the Files and Folders view, the Registry View, and the Redistributables View;
* New Setting for Specifying Whether an IIS Web Server Should Allow the CMD Command to Be Used for SSI #exec Directives;
* New Host Header Name Setting for IIS Web Sites;
* Ability to Specify Whether New SQL Connections Should Share the Same Windows Installer Properties;
* SQLLogin Dialog Enhancements;
* Database Import Wizard Enhancements;
* New Windows Installer Property for Specifying SQL Connections That Should Not Be Installed or Uninstalled;
and much more