Project Types

InstallScript

The InstallScript installation project provides the flexibility afforded by the InstallScript language and is driven by the proven InstallScript engine.

InstallScript Object

Using the InstallScript Object project, you can create an InstallShield merge module that uses InstallScript. This type of merge module, however, can be consumed only by InstallShield.

Basic MSI

A Basic MSI project uses Windows Installer to provide the user interface for the installation. When you choose this project type, you need to create features and components, and specify all application files and other distributable data.

Merge Module

Select this option to create your own merge modules. You need to create any components and file associations.

QuickPatch

This project type is recommended for installation authors who want to ship small, single updates to their end users. QuickPatch authoring provides an alternative to creating a patch configuration in the Patch Design view even though it provides less customization. Creation of a QuickPatch begins with the Create New QuickPatch Wizard.

Web Project

The Web project type is essentially the same as the Basic MSI project type, with the addition of IISROOTFOLDER support. The IISROOTFOLDER directory variable is used to find the root directory of the Web server on a target system.

MSI Database

Select MSI Database to edit your installation project in Direct Edit mode. This means that you can directly edit the Windows Installer tables within InstallShield to configure your installation.

MSM Database

Select MSM Database to edit your merge module in Direct Edit mode. This means that you can directly edit the Windows Installer tables within InstallShield to configure your merge module.

Transform

A transform (.mst file) is a simplified Windows Installer database that contains the differences between two Windows Installer databases. Creating a new transform project launches the Open Transform Wizard.

InstallScript MSI

An InstallScript MSI project uses both InstallScript and Windows Installer tables. With this project type, you need to create features and components, and specify all application files and other distributable data.

Visual Basic 6.0 Wizard

Select this option to launch the Visual Basic Wizard.

Visual Basic .NET Wizard

Select this option to launch the Visual Studio .NET Wizard for Visual Basic .NET, C# .NET, and Visual C++ .NET.

C# .NET Wizard

Select this option to launch the Visual Studio .NET Wizard for Visual Basic .NET, C# .NET, and Visual C++ .NET.

Visual C++ .NET Wizard

Select this option to launch the Visual Studio .NET Wizard for Visual Basic .NET, C# .NET, and Visual C++ .NET.

Smart Device Setup Wizard

The Smart Device Setup Wizard guides you through the process of creating installations for smart devices.

Compact Project

A Compact project uses a special small installer engine to provide the user interface for an installation. Although Compact installation projects have some limitations—for example, English is the only language available for the end-user interface—they enable you to create a very small executable file (Setup.exe) that you can distribute to end users. This Setup.exe file is a compressed, self-extracting file that contains all of the application files, as well as the Compact installer engine.

ClickOnce Deployment Project

A ClickOnce Deployment project is a lightweight application deployment mechanism that is easy to use. It includes support for security sandboxed execution of an application with virtually no installation footprint, as well as full installation and upgrade manageability.