Features... How can I hide a Feature?

[Steve]

Can anyone tell me how I can specify that a feature is to be hidden from the user interface yet still get installed?

My project designs always group files to be installed into Features. This is done so that large projects are easier to maintain.
A Multi language Help file is a good example of this. Image having French, English and Spanish help files in addition to the Common Help File components. To do this I would create 4 Features under parent Feature called Help:
English
French
Spanish
Common Help Components

I need the user to be able to select which help language to install but I need to always install the 'Common Help Components' AND also have it hidden from the user so that they cannot disable it.

Please don't suggest that I place the common help file components into the 'Feature Independent' area of the 'Files' screen or the parent 'Help' feature. Doing this would just lump those components in with hundreds of other components making project management an onerous task.

I hope you will forgive me in advance for bringing up the names InstallShield and Wise (because they have become such terrible programs and are owned by such arrogant companies), but in both those installers making a Feature hidden while still having it remain a required installation component seemed quite easy to do via the UI (ie- No scripting required.)

Perhaps I am missing something simple?[/b]

[MichaelNesmith]

http://forums.installaware.com/viewtopic.php?t=14300

[Steve]

Hi Michael;
Thanks for your reply (on a Saturday no less!)

If your link had actually connected to an article it might even have been helpful!

[MichaelNesmith]

I was trying to kindly suggest that cross-posting is not welcome

[Steve]

Micheal,
Very sorry, when I posted it in pre-sales by accident, I then correctly posted it in Tech support. My mistake.
Thanks for explaining what your link was intended for.

Just in case anyone is else is trying to locate the solution to this question, the correct link is:
http://forums.installaware.com/viewtopic.php?t=1430