InstallShield
| InstallShield
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|---|---|
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| Basic data
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| developer | Flexera software |
| Current version | 2019 |
| operating system |
Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10) Windows Server (2003, 2008, 2008R2, 2012) |
| category | Software engineering |
| License | proprietary |
| German speaking | No |
| flexerasoftware.com | |
InstallShield is a proprietary installer from Flexera Software (formerly Acresso Software) for Windows . According to the manufacturer, with 500 million installations, it is one of the most widely used setup solutions worldwide. The software consists of an authoring solution that is used to create installations and a runtime solution that is created after authoring and with which the installations are made.
history
Installshield was developed from 1992 by Stirling Technologies, which later called itself Installshield Corporation . In 2004 they were bought by Macrovision . On April 1, 2008, Macrovision Software was sold to the private equity firm Thoma Cressey Bravo and the new company was renamed Acresso Software . In October 2009, Acresso changed its name to Flexera Software .
According to the manufacturer, InstallShield is used by more than 500,000 companies for distributing software . It is integrated into the “ FLEXnet ” product line for software distribution and license management.
Functionality and scope
In previous versions, InstallShield was equipped with its own unpacking algorithms and its own runtime environment for the target system, which were integrated into an executable program file. Some of these are still there, but hand over some of their responsibilities to the system's Windows Installer service during installation if they find it.
InstallShield masters various setup methods, including network-based or internet-based installations. A special adaptation is supplied for use with Microsoft Visual Studio . The InstallShield development environment is available in only two languages: English and Japanese. Different language packs are available for the generated installers.
Depending on the edition, the ability to control the setup projects created and the range of functions varies significantly. All installations created with InstallShield are watermarked and can be recognized as InstallShield installations.
Express Edition
This version of InstallShield is limited from version 3 to the wizard-driven creation of Windows Installer files (* .msi). It can therefore only be used for Windows operating systems from Windows 2000 , since only these can operate the Windows Installer service. As of InstallShield Express X, the creation of installations is also supported that do without Windows Installer, but offer only a limited range of functions. At 559 euros for a German version (449 euros for a version in English), the program is comparatively expensive.
Professional Edition
In this product version, it is possible to create your own dialog boxes or localized setups, your own setup scripts (called ISScript) and to reuse previously created setup environments for new projects. It also supports the interaction with current Microsoft technologies that can be used in connection with the installation, for example .NET Framework 3.0 , IIS 7.0, Microsoft SQL Server 2005, beta of Windows Server " Longhorn ", DirectX 9.0c and Windows -Mobile platforms. It also supports a Windows Vista certification process and offers special functions that should make installations on Windows Vista smoother. The Professional Edition costs 2099 euros.
Premier Edition
The authoring solution is supplied in only three languages, but in 33 selectable languages for installation. Furthermore, the use of InstallShield during authoring can be reduced to the build section, i.e. the compilation phase of the setup, so that other or your own authoring solutions can be used that only use InstallShield as a compiler . The Premier Edition is the most expensive version of all. The German version therefore costs 3899 euros directly from the manufacturer.
License management
Furthermore, this version supports a rather complicated procedure for license management. Flexera offers a paid license management and “ product activation ” web service , the InstallShield Activation Service . Licenses are stored on a Flexera server and can be managed by divisions of your own company. It is not intended to install the service on your own server or to fully integrate license management into your own company - Flexera will be included when using this chargeable function.
Alternatives
After proprietary installation solutions, especially InstallShield, established a quasi-monopoly over the years, some competitors, especially free open source alternatives, became popular. Flexera notices this and compares InstallShield on the product pages with "home-grown solutions". These can hardly be compared with the functionality of InstallShield, but they serve the same, original purpose.
- Inno Setup by Jordan Russell and Martijn Laan
- InstallAware
- Nullsoft Scriptable Install System from " Winamp " manufacturer Nullsoft
- Windows Installer XML from Outercurve Foundation
- Wise installer
- Advanced Installer from Caphyon
criticism
On September 19, 2008 it became known that the Update Agent from InstallShield, which connects to the relevant manufacturer's website to check for updates, communicates unencrypted. Accordingly, not only can the data traffic be eavesdropped, but any programs or malware can also be slipped into the user in this way.
Web links
- InstallShield product side (English)
- InstallAware product side (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ flexerasoftware.com: InstallShield
- ↑ flexerasoftware.com: Thoma Bravo Completes Acquisition of Macrovision's Software Business Unit
- ↑ computerworld.com: Acresso who? Macrovision spinoff changes name, again
- ↑ a b c Shop page of the manufacturer ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ News on heise.de
