The InstallShield Professional Edition provides publishers with a powerful and flexible solution for creating Windows (MSI or InstallScript™) and cross-platform installations. The Professional Edition introduces new functionality for keeping publishers up-to-date with the latest technologies.

These include:

MSI 3.1 support

Simplified patch development

Try and Buy functionality

Create fully functional trial versions that can be instantly activated

Oracle support

Easily connect to Oracle database servers

IIS 6.0

Support for application pools

It also offers Web Service Extensions, new properties and over 20 InstallScript enhancements including 64-bit support for AMD and Intel hardware.

Download InstallShield Professional 11 in Softonic

Install Creator is an easy-to-install distribution tool for all levels of developer. It's designed to allow you to spend your time developing your creations not building the installers. Download the fully functional freeware version of Install Creator and create your first installation in less than one minute.

Features of Install Creator:

• Everything in one compressed distributable executable file
• Follows the standards seen in all installation programs
• Full-featured dialog box editor to customize your installer's screen
• Every text is customizable
• Creates icons and folders in Window's start menu
• Automatic floppy disk spanning
• Automatic installation of fonts
• Automatic installation of ActiveX controls
• Automatic installation of screensavers
• Handle DLL installation and de-installation counters
• Optional icon on the desktop
• Display a text or web page at the end of an installation
• Complete de-installer

Download Install Creator 2.0.24 in Softonic

OpenLaszlo is an open source platform for creating zero-install web applications with the user interface capabilities of desktop client software.

OpenLaszlo programs are written in XML and JavaScript and transparently compiled to Flash and, with OpenLaszlo 4, DHTML. The OpenLaszlo APIs provide animation, layout, data binding, server communication, and declarative UI. An OpenLaszlo application can be as short as a single source file, or factored into multiple files that define reusable classes and libraries.

OpenLaszlo is "write once, run everywhere." An OpenLaszlo application developed on one machine will run on all leading Web browsers on all leading desktop operating systems.

Download OpenLaszlo 4.0.2 in Softonic

NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) can create Windows installers that are capable of installing, uninstalling, setting system settings, extracting files, etc. Because NSIS is based on script files, you can create both simple or advanced installers.

Small overhead size

NSIS is created to be small, fast and and efficient

Compatible with all major Windows versions

You can create a single installer that is compatible with all versions

Unique compression methods

You can choose between three different integrated compression method (ZLib, BZip2, LZMA)

Script based

NSIS has a powerful scripting language

Multiple languages in one installer

More than 40 translations are already included, but you can also create your own language files

Many features and checks for the target system

The script langauge provides commands you can use on the target system.

Custom dialogs and interfaces

You can create custom wizard pages to get user input or integrate configuration options

Plug-in system

NSIS can be extended with plug-in that can communicate with the installer.

Support for web installation, file patching

The NSIS distribution includes a set of plug-ins that allow you to download files from the internet, make internet connections, patch existing files and more

Project integration, different releases and automatic builds

The NSIS compiler features a powerful preprocessor

Easy and human readable file formats

You can edit your files with your favorite editor

Download Nullsoft Scriptable Install System (NSIS) 2.37 in Softonic

Bytessence InstallMaker (BIM ) is a setup file creator for Windows with a focus on being lightweight, easy to use and yet not dispensing with essential features.

As all programmers know, when creating a program, the work does not stop after the last line of code is written. The most important step is to prepare an installer so that users can install the program on their computer! With Bytessence Install Maker, you can do this very easily including specific details of the program name, version, author, website, mail, requirements (operating system if required and whether it needs NET Framework), and customizing the presentation with your own background, header and text.

Bytessence Install Maker also creates an uninstaller for your program which you can customize with such features as whether it supports integration with UPX and ZIP.

Takes the pain out of creating an uninstaller although for complicated packages, you'll probably find it slow and limited it what it can pack.

Download Bytessence Install Maker 3.6 in Softonic

Inno Setup is a free, feature-packed installation builder. The application's features include a Windows 2000-style wizard interface; the ability to create a single EXE for easy, online distribution; support for disk spanning; and full uninstall capabilities. The program also includes customizable setup types, integrated file compression, support for installing shared files and OCXs, and the creation of Start menu icons, INI entries, and registry entries. Full Delphi source code is available on the author's Web site.Version 5.0.7 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

Download Inno Setup 5.2.3 in Softonic

CreateInstall is a versatile and powerful installer for both expert and novice developers. With CreateInstall, you can create fully featured installation programs for your applications, tightly packed self-extracting archives and more.

The heart of CreateInstall is a script language, which provides superior flexibility and power to enable you to create setups with any degree of complexity. It has a flexible user interface along with friendly Wizards to create your install files simply.

Main features:

Easy Wizard

You can create your setup with Wizard during 10 minutes.

Powerful script programming language

The embedded programming language has enough potentialities that you can make such setup as you want.

Excellent compression

There are several compression algorithms (including Cabinet LZX). The small size of the extractor module, which is added to the files being installed. It is 50-55 KB about (with uninstaller).

Macro support

You can use macros during installation or making setup.

CD-based installations

You can copy or unpack files from your setup CD.

End-User Internet Update

You can include Internet Update program of your application in your setup.

Multi-language setups

You can create multi-language installation without any Compressor and Decompressor utilities.

You can create and unpack CABINET and GEA archives

Also, you can unpack just required files from setups made with CreateInstall.

Download CreateInstall 4.13.7 in Softonic

MSI is a popular installation file format that has started to give the old-fashioned EXE a run for it's money, due to the fact that file sizes are generally smaller and they can be quicker to unpack. Of course, not everyone is well-versed in creating software packaged in this way, which is where MAKEMSI comes in. The application automatically generates a database that orders the archives of the program according to their dependencies and locations. Once this is all in place, it compresses them into the installation file.

MAKEMSI uses extensible XML to process all the data within the program. If you're unfamiliar with the mark-up language then you may find this app a little frustrating to say the least. However, there is a pretty good guide bundled with the program, plus links to forums where you can find out more about the topic.

If you're a software developer looking to harness the power of the MSI file format, then MAKEMSI provides you with a pretty robust solution.

Download MAKEMSI 07.325 in Softonic

When creating an application you can't forget about any important element, such as having a representative icon, including some documentation and, of course, implementing a user-friendly installation system.

This last point can be easily solved with Install Simple, a software tool that, just as its own name states, enables you to create basic installation processes for your applications in a very easy way.

The whole process is done step by step through a wizard-like interface, filling in different fields with all the necessary information: program's name, type of license, possible changes to Windows Registry and so on. However, besides its ease of use, I missed having a few more customization options, such as being able to insert a company logo or changing the window's skin.

Create basic installation packages for your apps in just a few simple steps!

Download Install Simple 1.10 in Softonic

RedShift enables you to create a very simple, smart looking software installer in seconds:

1. Name your installer & choose a splash image
2. Type or paste in your software license text
3. Select your folder of files to be installed
4. Enter shortcuts to your .exe and help files
5. Click 'Build'

That's all there is to it! RedShift builds a single, self contained executable file which you can then distribute.

It also displays a realtime preview of your installer while you are working - saving you time since you don't need to keep rebuilding just to see if everything looks OK.

Download RedShift Freestyle 1.6.22 in Softonic

Windows Installer is becoming the "de facto" software installation technology on Windows. Being preinstalled on the latest Microsoft operating systems, and also bundled with the most popular productivity packages (Office, etc.) this software installer provides a significant number of power features that improve application management and administration. But this power doesn't come without pitfalls, and the most important of them all is the complexity. Creating an MSI file requires careful planning and editing of dozens of database tables. Hundreds of pages of documentation must be read, countless lists of rules must be followed. Building a Windows Installer package may take days or even weeks. This is where a MSI creation tool comes to help.

This software installer simplifies the process of building Windows Installer packages by providing a very easy to use, high level interface to the underlying technology. The program implements all the Windows Installer rules and follows all the advised best practices. With this simple, intuitive interface, building a Windows Installer package will take just a few minutes. Start the program, add a few files, change the name, hit the Build button and you are done.

Download Advanced Installer Professional 4.7 in Softonic

EasySetup is an installation maker for Windows that allows creating setup programs with very little effort. It can be used not only to creating installers for programs, but also for all kind of files, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Acrobat or HTML documents. The setup process screens can be edited in a visual way, simply by modifying the text on the screens to suit your installation.

Download EasySetup 3.11 in Softonic

InstallAware Express provides an unsurpassed feature set, enabling you to build sophisticated installations in record time without any programming or scripting skills. It has the following features:

MSI Customization without Complexity

InstallAware setups don't have to install any dependencies or scripting runtimes. Still, you can completely customize your setup even if you're unfamiliar with Windows Installer.

Exclusive! Best End User Experience

Impress your users while installing with interactive Flash presentations and HTML billboards. Choose from any of the stunning 15 pre-built setup themes.

Free Unlimited Web Updates

InstallAware Web Update works out of the box. It looks and feels just like Windows Update - no pesky icons taking up system tray real estate, or independent browser windows that cannot be closed.

Standardized MSI Deployment

All InstallAware setups are based on the industry standard Windows Installer technology. Easily deploy your single file MSIs on corporate networks using Group Policy Deployment.

Exclusive! Fully Customizable

Nothing is hard-coded in InstallAware! You may customize every aspect of the installation user interface and setup logic, delivering installers tailored to highly specific needs.

Enhanced! Rich Command Library

InstallAware script contains a very wide selection of setup commands that perform a wide variety of installation tasks and report on the state of the target system at no effort to you.

Exclusive! Bundle Other Installations

InstallAware contains features that let you run third-party installers as an integral part of your main setup, capturing progress feedback, and letting you customize the third-party installations on-the-fly.

Multiple Editions

Choose the edition that best suits your needs! If you are on a budget, there is an InstallAware edition that does everything you need at a fraction of the cost of other installers.

Download InstallAware 6.5 in Softonic

GkSetup is a Setup-toolkit for Windows. It allows you to create professional installations for your software. The self-extracting single-file Setups are ideal for internet distribution.

The easy user interface will reduce your support calls. A detailed feature list that compares the Free and Professional-Edition is available on the feature matrix.

An easy way to create installtion files for your software.

Download GkSetup 2.31 Free Edition in Softonic

Ghost Installer is a flexible deployment tool, suitable to solve virtually any installation task. Using the new Custom User Interface feature, you can create installation dialogs the way you desire them to be. With Ghost Installer it is possible to perform numerous custom actions and to create scripts that can fulfill almost any software deployment goal. The process of checking registry values and writing configuration files depending on the choices a user makes, is one of many features that give you hands-on control of the installation.

The improved Mr. Skinner tool can now “dress up” customized dialogs, creating a more appealing look for your installation. Ghost Installer features one of the fastest and most effective compression methods, providing for a faster installation start and a small installation size.

Ghost Installer's famous convenient user interface makes it easy to create even the most complex installations. If you are new to Ghost Installer and you need a simple yet reliable installation, Ghost Installer’s wide variety of wizards will aid you in the process.
Ghost Installer supports various technologies such as Web-deploying, deploying .Net applications and assemblies, MDAC, Java, BDE, and so on.

Download Ghost Installer Studio 4.5 in Softonic

TrueUpdate is a popular dynamic update tool in use by thousands of developers worldwide every day. Using TrueUpdate you can create professional patch delivery systems for any development need. And with full support for all the most popular client/server technologies you can be sure everything you develop with TrueUpdate will fit seamlessly and securely into your existing infrastructure.

TrueUpdate gives you more control over the end user experience than any patch delivery tool on the market. Embed your update systems directly into applications, or have them run standalone. Configure them to run silently or reinforce your brand with the spectacular new visual theme system. Either way, you can create exactly what you need in very little time and with a minimum of overhead. TrueUpdate offers all the features and flexibility needed for everyone from busy system administrators to single developers.

Download TrueUpdate 2.0.3.0 in Softonic

This extension program for Inno Setup allows you to add repair, modify and remove support to your applications with minimal effort. It is very small because it uses Assemble.

Download UninsHs 2.0.0.55 in Softonic

FS ZIP Extractor is used to turn a .zip file into an executable .exe so the zip can then be unzipped without having any unZIP software installed on that computer. For example, say you have a .zip archive of some files you need to share with a friend. But you are not sure if your friend has any 'unzip software' installed on their computer? By turning the .zip into a self-extracting .zip, your friend can unzip the file(s) by simply clicking on the .exe. Your friend would not need any an unzip software installed on their computer.

When launched, the self-extractor will prompt for a path to extract to, whether or not to overwrite existing files, and whether or not to preserve the directory structure in the .zip (if present). You can select some or all files to extract.

Download FS ZIP Extractor 1.2 in Softonic

Actual Installer is a professional software installer that enables you to rapidly create excellent installation packages for your software. In just about 5 minutes, you can create a single-file multilingual setup application with a small installer size. Your installation package can have all the basic features of an installation program: a License Agreement and ReadMe texts, shortcut creation, registry modification, uninstallation and much more.

Actual Installer allows you to create the installation package in any supported languages. The Readme and License Agreement texts can also be specified separately for each language. Additionally, you can protect the installation package with a password.

Download Actual Installer 2.4 in Softonic

ActiSetup is an advanced setup development environment for Windows Installer. It supports authoring MSI installation packages, merge modules, and patches. It allows you to create installation packages for your software products, with maximum ease of use and flexibility. With ActiSetup, you can quickly create installations with a single step-by-step wizard, as well as directly edit the MSI tables for greater fine-tuning.

ActiSetup also includes an updater service, so you can deliver patches to users of your application reliably and efficiently. Finally, ActiSetup includes a setup bootstrapper, designed to simplify the process of installing prerequisites such as the .NET Framework.

Download ActiSetup 2005 in Softonic