What do you do when you've created some new Windows software—anything from a simple diagnostic tool to a circuitous PC video game—and you desire to share it with the world? Well, you could shrink the files into a single ZIP file and distribute that.

Or, you can be fancy and create an installer EXE instead.

Nosotros'll be roofing three different ways to make an EXE in this mail: a self-extracting package, a simple installer using the built-in IExpress, and an advanced installer using the customizable Inno Setup.

1. Brand a Quick EXE File Using 7-Zip

You probably already use 7-Goose egg to excerpt all kinds of archive files and know that 7-Nil tin can create archive files, only did y'all know that you can also use it to create an EXE file that acts as an installer?

It'due south called an SFX archive (self-extracting) and works past compressing all of your cease files together, then embedding a special EXE file within the archive that knows how to extract everything.

In other words, the recipient can excerpt the SFX archive (which appears as an EXE file itself), fifty-fifty if they don't have the right software, which can happen with formats like 7Z, RAR, TAR, and Naught.

7zip add to archive menu

Here's how to create an SFX archive with 7-Zip:

  1. Prepare all of your files and directories within a single master directory and name the directory any yous wish.
  2. Right-click on the directory and select 7-Zippo > Add to archive...
  3. Under Options, enable Create SFX Archiveand select the following settings...> Archive Format:7z> Compression Level:Normal> Pinch Method: LZMA2> Lexicon Size: 16 MB> Discussion Size: 32> Solid Block Size: 2 GB
  4. Finally, click onOK.

Note that SFX archives aren't truthful installer files. They don't place the extracted files into a designated target directory. They don't alter Windows Registry. Furthermore, they don't create install logs, and they don't show up as installed software in the Uninstall app. They are literally annal files dressed upward as EXE files.

Download: 7-Zip for Windows (Free)

ii. How to Utilize IExpress to Brand an EXE Easily

IExpress is a utility that comes arranged with versions of Windows starting with Windows XP and beyond. The utility comes with a front-end graphical interface (chosen IExpress Wizard), but you can as well create installer files using hand-scripted Self Extraction Directive (SED) files. Nosotros recommend the Wizard.

Like seven-Zip above, this method creates a self-extracting annal, but with two major differences: one, the end-user will proceed through a multi-page Installation Sorcerer, and two, the end-user can specify the target directory to where the tool will extract the files.

And this how you create your installer EXE using IExpress:

  1. Open the Run prompt (Windows key + R) and type iexpress.exe to launch the IExpress Wizard.
  2. Select Create new Self Extraction Directive file and click Next.
  3. Select Extract files only and click Next.
  4. For the package championship, the name of your app is a safe choice.
  5. For the confirmation prompt, cull No prompt or Prompt user with. It doesn't matter either way. For the cease-user, including one is always a safe pick.
  6. For the license agreement, selectDisplay a license if you want the terminate-user to concur to an End User License Agreement (EULA). If not, it's fine to select Exercise non display a license.
  7. Add all the files you lot want to see installed by clicking Add, browsing to where the files are, and selecting them all.
  8. Continue through the IExpress Wizard and select your preferred options for the Show Window and Finished Bulletin prompts.
  9. For the package name, click Browse, navigate to where you want the installer EXE to be created, and requite it a name. This is the EXE file that you are going to distribute to cease-users. Click Next.
  10. Finally, select Salve Self Extraction Directive (SED) file if you want to create a modified installer later on, such as when you've patched the software and need an updated installer. If you select Don't salvage, and then you'll take to run through the entire process from scratch.
  11. On the Create Bundle page, click Side by side.
iexpress wizard window

Your package will be created in a few minutes. Note that IExpress has some quirks and bug :

  • It doesn't allow the inclusion of empty directories.
  • If your installation has subdirectories, the subdirectories won't be included.
  • If you have multiple files of the same proper name, fifty-fifty inside separate directories, the installer creation will fail.

Because of these oddities, nosotros recommend using the method below instead.

3. The All-time Fashion to Make an EXE: Use Inno Setup

Inno Setup is an open-source utility that's been in active development since 1997. It was created partly in response to the at-the-fourth dimension subpar InstallShield Express. Since then, information technology has become the installer creator of choice for those who don't intendance to explore proprietary options.

Its biggest draw is its flexibility. Inno Setup uses script files with an ISS extension ("Inno Setup Script") to customize various aspects of the installer: which files are incorporated, where the installation happens, whether to create shortcuts, etc. ISS files use similar formatting to INI files and can be generated using the Inno Setup Wizard.

To create your installer using Inno Setup, launch the Inno Setup Compiler app. In the welcome prompt, select Create a new script file using the Script Wizard. From there, enter your Awarding Name and Application Version. Optionally, you lot can too include Application Publisher and Application Website details. Click Next.

welcome window in the inno app
  1. At present, select the Destination base of operations folder, which defaults to Programme Files.
  2. Enter an Awarding folder name, which is the proper name of the main directory where your installation files will go. Click Next.
  3. For theApplication master executable file, browse and select the principal EXE file that will launch your app.
  4. If you aren't installing an app, enable The awarding doesn't have a principal executable file. Then add files and folders to your installation with the Add together files... and Add folders... buttons. Click Next.
  5. On the Application Shortcuts page, leave the defaults or change them to fit your preferences. They're all self-explanatory. Click Adjacent.
  6. On the Awarding Documentation page, y'all tin can point to up to three TXT files that volition display throughout the terminate user's installation process. Typically, these will exist LICENSE.TXT, INSTALL.TXT, and README.TXT, but they tin can be whatever you desire. Click Next.
  7. On the Setup Languages page, keep English, simply yous are welcome to add every bit many other languages equally you wish. Click Next.

Now, follow these steps from below:

On the Compiler Settings page, you tin can customize the installer EXE file:

  • The Custom compiler output folder is where the resulting installer EXE file will be placed.
  • Compiler output base of operations file proper name is what the EXE file will be called. The default setting is setup.exe.
  • Custom Setup icon file is the icon the installer EXE file will use. This must be an ICO file, which you can download or converted from PNG.
  • Setup password will protect unauthorized users from using your installer. Go out information technology blank to disable this feature.

Later on configuring your settings, selectFinish. When prompted to compile the new script, click Yes. When prompted to save the script, select No if this is a one-fourth dimension installer file. Select Yes if you programme to modify or update it later on.

Look for the procedure to get completed, and voilà, you'll have an executable file with yous.

Download: Inno Setup for Windows (Free)

Which Method Is Best for Creating EXE Installer?

If your software is basic, or if you're only going to distribute to a limited number of people, go with the vii-Zip method. It'south easy, fast, and requires virtually no technical expertise.

If your software is somewhat uncomplicated, and you want to present a real installation wizard for your end-users, go with the IExpress method. Finally, opt for the Inno app if y'all have complex software and you know what you lot are doing.

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About The Writer

Joel Lee (1493 Articles Published)

Joel Lee was formerly the Editor in Main of MakeUseOf from 2018 to 2021. He has a B.S. in Information science and over 9 years of professional writing and editing experience.

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