Installation Prerequisites Checklist: Your Step-by-Step Resource

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Prerequisites Page - Installer Project

This view allows you to include existing installers in your package, to enable Windows features or set specific Windows Server roles.

The prerequisites can be installed before, during or after the main package install. You can change when a prerequisite is executed by dragging it over in the Additional Packages list or by setting the Scheduled option from Prerequisite Installation Tab .

The prerequisites configured to be installed before the main package are handled by our EXE bootstrapper. This is why the corresponding option must be checked in the Configuration Tab page.

All setup files used by a prerequisite can be bundled with your package or placed online and accessed through a URL. During install, if the prerequisite is not found it will be automatically installed.

Prerequisites

Adding predefined prerequisites

Select Packages tree item to display the Frameworks and Runtimes page. You can then check the prerequisites you want to include in your package.

In Frameworks and Runtimes page you can also configure global prerequisite options.

To make sure that the target machines can run your installation package, you can include Windows Installer as a prerequisite. Windows Installer predefined prerequisites use special setup file locations. When building your project, the prerequisite installation package is downloaded automatically. If the download fails or you cancel it, an error message will be displayed and the build process is aborted.

Adding bundled prerequisite software

Use the[New Executable Package ] toolbar button, “New Executable Package ” context menu item or Insert key. You will be prompted to pick the executable prerequisite setup files.

Use the[New Windows Installer Package ] toolbar button or “New Windows Installer Package” context menu item. You will be prompted to pick the .msi prerequisite setup files.

Adding downloadable prerequisite software

Use the[URL Prerequisite ] toolbar button or “New URL Prerequisite” context menu item to add the download URL of the prerequisite. This type of prerequisite is created with default settings, so you need to configure it manually.

Adding chained packages

All .msi prerequisites are added as Chained prerequisites by default.

Chained packages require Windows Installer 4.5 or higher. For older Windows Installer versions they are ignored.

Specify which builds will contain a prerequisite package

If multiple builds were created in Builds page, you can specify which build should contain the prerequisite in the the prerequisite’s Builds tab.

Adding a prerequisite from repository

Use the “Add From Repository” context menu item. A submenu with all the available repository prerequisites will be displayed.

This option is shown only if there is at least one prerequisite in repository.

Exporting a prerequisite in repository

Select the prerequisite you want to export and use the “Move To Repository” context menu item.

You can read more about the prerequisites repository in this article .

Editing a prerequisite

When selecting a prerequisite, its properties pane will be displayed. In this pane you can configure all available package settings.

Removing prerequisites

Use the[Delete ] toolbar button, the “Delete” context menu item or press the Delete key while a prerequisite is selected.

Reordering prerequisites

The order in which the prerequisites are displayed is the order in which they will be installed on the target machine. The [Move Up ] context menu item orShift + Up keys will move a package up. The [Move Down ] context menu item or Shift + Down keys will move it down.

Windows Features

Adding a Windows Features bundle

Use the [Windows Feature bundle ] toolbar button or “New Windows Feature bundle” context menu item.

Editing a Windows Features bundle

When selecting a Windows Features bundle, its properties pane will be displayed. In this Windows Features pane you can configure all available settings.

Removing a Windows Features bundle

Use the[Delete ] toolbar button, the “Delete” context menu item or press the Delete key while a Windows Features bundle is selected.

Windows Server Roles

Roles selected in this view only apply when running the package on a Windows Server. They will be ignored on any other OS type.

This feature is available for Enterprise or above project types.

Adding a Windows Server Role

SelectWindows Server Roles tree item, then check the roles you want to include in your package. The roles are grouped by the earliest supported version of the target server OS.

Editing a Windows Server Role

When selecting a Windows Server Role, its properties pane will be displayed. In this Windows Server Roles pane you can configure all available settings.

Removing a Windows Server Role

Use the[Delete ] toolbar button, the “Delete” context menu item or press the Delete key while a Windows Server Role is selected.

Topics

Predefined Prerequisites
A list of predefined prerequisites and global prerequisite options
Prerequisite Installation Tab
The Prerequisite Installations tab in Advanced Installer
Prerequisite Files Tab
The Prerequisite Files tab in Advanced Installer
Prerequisite Conditions Tab
The Prerequisite Conditions tab in Advanced Installer
Chained Package Behavior
This article explains the chained packages installation behavior
Edit PseudoFormatted Type Dialog
The “Edit PseudoFormatted Type” dialog in Advanced Installer.
Windows Features
Add or remove windows features.
Windows Server Roles
Configure Windows Server Roles
Specify Builds Tab
Specify the builds for an Advanced Installer project item.

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Installation Prerequisites Checklist: Your Step-by-Step Resource