Add Native Installer to AppWave Catalog

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Go Up to Mastering Apps


With this feature you can distribute software that cannot be easily mastered into stream apps. Some examples would be native 64-bit software, printer drivers, and software establishing Windows services. You can also distribute data and media content packaged as installers. Some examples would be data models, training materials and manuals, and data sets.

It is recommended that this type of mastering be used by someone with registry knowledge. This user also needs an understanding of the installation process including files (location and properties), licensing, registry values, and environment variables.

Mastering Process

  1. On the Start page select Add Native Installer to AppWave Catalog or click Icon nativeinstaller.png.
  2. The Select Folders and Installer File to Include opens. For the Quick Start we will create a native installer for the 7Zip app.
    Note: You can download the 7zip executable to perform our example from www.7-zip.org
    Select Folders and Installer.png
  3. Enter an Initial folder name. For the Quick Start we are going to use “Install Folder”.
  4. Browse to the installer launch executable. The install command is an executable string that installs the application.
    Note: The "Command-line" value indicates how to launch the file and the value is the trigger to run a specific command. We will not use a command line option for this app.
  5. Provide an un-install registration key. This key identifies the registry location that contains the application’s uninstall information. This is a required field. In our example the name of the folder that contains the key is "7-Zip".
    1. The Uninstall Registry Key is located under: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
      Tip: To access the Registry Editor type regedit in Start > Search Programs and files.
      Tip: If you are using Windows 8 press the Windows logo key and R simultaneously and then type regedit in the Open field of the Run box.
    Registry key.jpg
  6. Click OK and the Create Installer dialog opens. Click Finished once the creation process is completed.
    Creating Installer.png
  7. The Launch & Brand page opens. Note that there are a number of Tasks that must be completed. Each required field is marked with a warning icon Icon taskwarning.png.
  8. Complete the following fields:
    1. Launch Executable: enter the name of the binary file that launches the application once it is installed. In our example is "7zFM.exe". ★ Notice that it is not the executable file.
    2. Working Folder: Select the folder you have created previously.
      Launch and Brand settings demonstration
    3. Product Name: Enter the name of the product. Notice that the Display name is automatically populated.
      Configure your App page
    4. Product Version: Enter the version of the product.
      Installer Settings
    5. Publisher: Enter the name of the publisher
      Note: For purposes of this Quick Start we will leave the rest of the fields blank except the Icon field where you can browse the image you want to use as the icon app.
      Tip: You can generete here your icon with this measures (130 x 130 px) and png extension : http://docs.embarcadero.com/products/appwave/vendor/IconGenerator/uploadIcon.html
  9. Click Next and click the Installer tab on the Configure you App page.
  10. The Select installer launch executable field is automatically populated.
    Note: You can provide the un-install registration key here as well.
  11. Select Test to open the Master and Test your App page. The Output folder is already populated.
    Master Installer app.png
  12. Click Icon master.png and save the changes to your current working file. Note that the file extension is .tca. Once the file is saved the Master dialog opens. This is where the operation masters the installer.
  13. Click Finish and then advance to the Broadcast page.
  14. Click Broadcast and the Broadcast dialog opens. Once the broadcasting is complete a notification appears in the bottom right corner of the screen. This lets you know that your app is available.
    Note: You do not have to do the “Prefetch” task with this mastering option.

Run and delete Installer Apps

  1. Click the Apps tab and note that the install app is placed in your folder.
  2. Click Install and when the installation finishes check that program is registered (Control Panel\Programs and Features) and mark the app as Installed.
  3. Click Run which then executes the entry point target.
  4. You can delete you app from Managed Apps.

See Also