Do I need to select a Windows Installer in App Runtimes?

[JohnO]

I have just created a sample Java installer to see what is provided. As I was going through the pages of the Design view, I noticed that 'MS Windows Installer 2.0' was selected. Further, it is also present as a Web Media Block.

In my installer, I don't have any Windows Installer selected, but the installer works.

Question: should I select one?
If the answer is yes:
- which version should I use?
- what benefits will I get?

Thanks, John

[FrancescoT]

Dear John,

when a runtime is added to the project, IA automatically includes any additional package that the selected runtime requires.

In your case, Windows Installer 2.0 is the minimum version of the MSI engine required by the runtime that you selected.

Because with the most recent OSes an higher version of the MSI engine is already part of the system, your setup skips the installation of the one included with your package.

Regards

[JohnO]

Dear Francesco
I don't have any Windows Installer selected at all. Which is why I was curious. My package has installed OK in Win 7, so it sounds like win 7 already includes a Win Installer. Have yet to try in XP. Do you think I should select a Win Installer for XP? If so, what version would be best?

Regards, John

[FrancescoT]

Dear John,

The Windows Installer 2.0 is already included in Windows XP.

The version to include with your package depends on your installer package.
For example, if you use multiple instances, Windows Installer 3.0 or later is required.

Anyway, the version that you include with your package, it will be installed only if not already present.

Regards

[JohnO]

Dear Francesco
How do I download an Application Runtime?
I have tried selecting Win Installer 3.0 on the App Runtimes page, and pressing Download Runtimes... , but this sends me to one of your forum web pages: viewforum.php?f=4
I was expecting to start a download dialog.

Regards, John

[FrancescoT]

Dear John,

it not necessary to download any runtime. All runtimes in InstallAware are already available under the application directory.

So, just select it and build your project.
In case you receive an error because the package is not found at compilation, this means that you haven't installed all available IA features.

Hope that this clarify your doubt.

Regards

[JohnO]

Dear Francesco
That is correct. I didn't install any of the runtimes when I installed IA, because our app doesn't use any of them (I wasn't experienced enough to know that the Win Installers were there). The impression I got was that I could download any of them later on, if a need arose.

How can I get hold of runtimes, post-install of IA?

Regards, John

[FrancescoT]

... run the IA installer once again, select change features and add any missing runtime.

Regards