NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) is a professional open source system to create Windows installers. It is designed to be as small and flexible as possible and is. I haven't used InstallShield in a few years. At my last job we moved away from it to NSIS mainly because its binary format made version control difficult, and because a few times the source file simply became corrupted, with no hope for recovery. That might have been related to SourceSafe of course! On top of that though, it was needlessly.
Package Support Framework
Migrate to the MSIX package standard by using the built-in support for the Package Support Framework. Since 15.5
MSIX Modification Packages
Extended and update your MSIX packages. Decouple your main application package from its updates, speed up Windows 10 updates. Since 15.3
MSIX Packaging
Build MSIX packages from your existing projects. Get your desktop application in the Windows Store. Since 15.1
Installer Analytics
Track and monitor your setup packages. Learn how your users install, upgrade or remove your applications. Since 12.0
Import/Create AppX
Package your apps for next-generation deployment in Windows 8 and beyond with AppX. Since 11.5
Windows Installer-based
Using from the very beginning the standard Windows installation engine. Extending and enhancing functionality in approved ways. No strange scripts or 3rd-party engines.
Verified MSI
Each written and unwritten Windows Installer rule, recommendation and best practice is carefully followed. Pre- and post-build checks and validations.
Multiple Installer Builds
Build multiple installer variants from a single project effortlessly creating different packages customized for your various deployment scenarios.
Imports
A unique number of import converters: from Visual Studio, InstallShield LE, WiX, Eclipse, Inno Setup, NSIS and regular MSI/MSM packages. Why duplicate work?
Windows Firewall Integration
Add your application, or required ports, on the exceptions list during installation, and remove it during uninstallation.
Mixed 32/64-bit installers
Wizard-driven ability to author single, unified installers that run as 32-bit on 32-bit and as 64-bit on 64-bit platforms. Why make your users choose?
Mac OS X for Java
From the same familiar IDE, create standard, native application bundles for your Java products to be installed on Mac OS X computers. No Mac is necessary.
Smart detections and completions
Auto-detect dependencies, Main class in JARs, .NET assembly attributes, ODBC params and much more. Simplify creation and ensure your installer's correctness.
Smart Formatted Editing
Editing (MSI)Formatted fields offers reference auto-completion, syntax and error highlights and resolved value hints. Never guess again.
Enhanced UI
A rewritten native, MSI external UI implementation offering updated and additional controls. Windows 7/Vista look, integrate HTML, advanced themes.
Test Searches
Test Windows Installer searches on the spot, while designing, seeing results and correcting any errors immediately. Why wait?
Software Identification Tag
The simplest way to implement ISO 19770-2 standard compliance in your software products.
Office Add-ins
Easily create installers for popular software platform extensions, plug-ins and add-ins using the included specialized templates.
Convert EXE installers to MSIs
Powerful wizard will convert any EXE setup into an MSI ready for network deployment through Active Directory.
Need help? Visit the Features FAQ section for details
We at unSigned have developed several cool tools which we use and offered them to our customers and partners. Everybody loved them! As they are really helpful for other software developers we decided to publish them freerly on our website so everyone can download and use them for FREE! You can download these tools from links below or you can get them with any unSigned product and install them during setup process (Visual & Installer, RAD & Installer or Graphical Installer (NSIS / Inno Setup)).
1) SetupProjects Converter
Standalone user friendly (GUI) application that can convert various installation systems into:
NSIS script (.nsi)
Inno Setup script (.iss)
It is free and open-source
Currently supported formats:
Microsoft Visual Studio Setup and Deploy projects (.vdproj)
InstallShield Limited Edition projects (.isl)
Advanced Installer Projects (.aip)
Contains all features, no limitations!
This tool does not require any installation or administrator rights.
Download: SetupProjects Converter, < 1 MB)
2) MessageBox Designer
Standalone user friendly (GUI) application for fast and easy creating of:
NSIS MessageBox-es
Inno Setup MessageBox-es
It is free and open-source
You do not need to manually write the code, only select design of your desired MessageBox and appropriate code is generated
It is also possible to preview the MessageBox so you immediately see how it looks like and define its result (which button was clicked)
The result can be copied into clipboard and pasted directly into script with no further changes
See the installation system manual for details about MessageBox function syntax and usage
Contains all features, no limitations!
This tool does not require any installation or administrator rights.
Download: MessageBox Designer, < 1 MB)
3) Graphical Installer Wizard
Create installers with custom design directly from your preferred IDE!
Support for NSIS and Inno Setup
Create new installers
Convert existing projects
Build installers directly with other project types
Intuitive and user friendly GUI
RAD Studio toolbars for fast work
No manual writing of scripts necessarry!
Requires full version of Graphical Installer (purchase required)
Graphical Installer Wizard is only IDE enhancement for generating scripts! For compilation scripts generated with it you need to install Graphical Installer! Graphical Installer is a SEPARATE product. RAD & Installer WILL WORK without it but Graphical Installer Wizard will NOT work without installing a full (or Trial version) of Graphical Installer! You need to purchase Graphical Installer if you want to create installers with custom design! Download fully featured Trial version. How Graphical Installer works? - learn more about Graphical Installer and Graphical Installer Wizard. Visit www.graphical-installer.com for more details about Graphical Installer or read FAQ questions 1 - 4 for more info.