Inno Setup is a tool designed to create professional installation programs compatible with all Windows platforms from Windows 2000 to Windows 8, including business versions and both 32 and 64-bit systems. This open-source program, available for free to anyone, is exceptionally stable and offers more features than most paid alternatives. Its popularity stems from its perfect tools, broad OS support, and advanced features such as comprehensive uninstall tools, disk spanning, single EXE installers, support for multiple binaries in a single package, INI/Registry management, an integrated scripting engine (based on Pascal), password-protected and encrypted packages, support for multiple compression algorithms, multilingual install interfaces, and more.
The first version of Inno Setup was created by developer Jordan Russell using the IDE software package Embarcadero Delphi in 1997. Since then, the software has received numerous updates and interface improvements, making it accessible to both novice users and experienced professionals. Installers created with Inno Setup can be of the conventional “wizard” type, create shortcuts, launch or delete files, and be password-protected or encrypted. While the interface is not very intuitive, various front-ends have been developed to simplify its use.
Inno Setup is entirely free and can even be used commercially, though its original developer accepts donations to support the ongoing development of this popular tool.
Features and Highlights
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- Support for every Windows release since 2000, including Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000 (no service packs required).
- Extensive support for installing 64-bit applications on 64-bit editions of Windows, supporting both x64 and Itanium architectures (Service Pack 1 or later is required on Windows Server 2003 for 64-bit mode installation on Itanium).
- Supports creating a single EXE for program installation, facilitating easy online distribution. Disk spanning is also supported.
- Features a standard Windows 2000/XP-style wizard interface.
- Customizable setup types, such as Full, Minimal, and Custom.
- Complete uninstall capabilities.
- Installation of files:
- Integrated support for “deflate,” bzip2, and 7-Zip LZMA/LZMA2 file compression.
- Ability to compare file version info, replace in-use files, use shared file counting, register DLL/OCX’s and type libraries, and install fonts.
- Creation of shortcuts anywhere, including in the Start Menu and on the desktop.
- Creation of registry and .INI entries.
- Running other programs before, during, or after installation.
- Support for multilingual installs, including right-to-left language support.
- Support for password-protected and encrypted installations.
- Support for digitally signed installations and uninstalls.
- Silent installs and uninstalls.
- Unicode installations.
- Integrated preprocessor option for advanced compile-time customization.
- Integrated Pascal scripting engine option for advanced run-time installation and uninstallation customization.
- Full source code available (Borland Delphi 2.0-5.0 and 2009).
PROS:
- This open-source software does not require any payment.
- It is compatible with most modern versions of Windows.
CONS:
- While free, Inno Setup is not intended for use in commercial settings.
- Unlike some other packages, this bundle does not detect viruses during the setup process.
FAQ’s
What is Inno Setup?
Inno Setup is a free, open-source tool designed to create professional installation programs compatible with all Windows platforms from Windows 2000 to Windows 8, including both business versions and 32/64-bit systems.
Is Inno Setup really free?
Yes, Inno Setup is completely free to use. However, the original developer accepts donations to support the ongoing development of the tool.
Can I use Inno Setup for commercial purposes?
While Inno Setup is free, it is not intended for use in commercial settings. The developer accepts donations to support its development.
What Windows versions are supported by Inno Setup?
Inno Setup supports every Windows release since 2000, including Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000.
Does Inno Setup support 64-bit applications?
Yes, Inno Setup has extensive support for installing 64-bit applications on 64-bit editions of Windows, including both x64 and Itanium architectures.
Can I create a single EXE file for my installation?
Yes, Inno Setup supports creating a single EXE file for program installation, which facilitates easy online distribution. Disk spanning is also supported.
What are some key features of Inno Setup?
Inno Setup includes features such as customizable setup types (Full, Minimal, Custom), complete uninstall capabilities, file compression support (deflate, bzip2, 7-Zip LZMA/LZMA2), creation of shortcuts, registry and .INI entries, multilingual installs, password-protected and encrypted installations, digitally signed installations, silent installs, Unicode installations, and an integrated Pascal scripting engine.
Who developed Inno Setup and when was it first released?
Inno Setup was developed by Jordan Russell using the IDE software package Embarcadero Delphi. The first version was released in 1997.
Is the source code for Inno Setup available?
Yes, the full source code for Inno Setup is available. It is written in Borland Delphi 2.0-5.0 and 2009.
Does Inno Setup include a virus detection feature?
No, unlike some other installation packages, Inno Setup does not include a virus detection feature during the setup process.
How user-friendly is the interface of Inno Setup?
While the interface of Inno Setup is not very intuitive, various front-ends have been developed to simplify its use, making it accessible to both novice users and experienced professionals.
Conclusion
Inno Setup is a robust, open-source tool that offers a wide range of features for professional software installation on Windows platforms. Despite being free, it rivals many paid alternatives in functionality and stability. Its extensive capabilities, from comprehensive uninstall tools to multilingual support, make it a popular choice among developers. Continuously updated since its creation in 1997, Inno Setup is accessible to both novice and experienced users, providing a reliable solution for creating installers.
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