Summary

This article will discuss how to create a compressed EXE release for your installer, where the single EXE file has all the installation data compressed within it.

Synopsis

This article will discuss how to create a compressed EXE release for your installer, where the single EXE file has all the installation data compressed within it.

Discussion

The first method we will discuss is using the Release Wizard which can be accessed from within the InstallShield IDE dropdown menu here (Build->Release Wizard).

On the Media Type dialog, be sure to select the "Network Image" media type.

On the Release Configuration dialog, be sure to select "Compress all Files"

On the Setup Launcher dialog, be sure to select "Create installation launcher (Setup.exe)". Please note that if your project contains any prerequisites, then this option will be selected and grayed out.


If you have included prerequisites, please select the "Extract prerequisites from Setup.exe" option on the InstallShield Prerequisites dialog.

An alternative method of controlling the release type is to work directly within the Installation Designer in the Releases view. After highlighting your release you will be presented with an additional window on the right of the IDE - if we first select the "Build" tab, we can set the release to be a compressed build:

If we then select the "Setup.exe" tab we can select to create a Setup Launcher and, if necessary, extract prerequisites from the EXE: