Actual Installer

Files can be packed neatly with the aid of WinRar and other similar software. Besides packing the files in order to take up less space than they normally occupy when they are unpacked, it is also useful for sending multiple files in one run. But when it comes to publishing a software, you will need something more than a simple archiving program. With Actual Installer, you can still pack data, but you can also create and customize a setup file. Besides unpacking the data, this file also creates Registry keys, shortcuts, and anything else that needs to be done in order to run a program.

Actual Installer is lightweight. It will not make use of too many resources and it can run on most Windows operating systems. The package it comes in is 4 Mb large and it will launch a straightforward setup wizard.

The options for creating a setup file are well organized on the interface. General installation dialog or other options categories can be accessed from a tree menu on the window's left side. The options themselves are displayed on the main area, where they are further grouped under separate tabs. It may sound complicated, but it's not. If you go through the options in a logical order, there is no chance you will get lost.

Actual Installer lets you customize any aspect of the setup wizard in a smart and flexible way. In the General category, you can type the name of the product you are about to pack, the company's name, web site and other details. The graphics on the wizard's window, as well as its header can be changed by browsing through templates, saved as .bmp files in one of the program's folders. If your program has specific system requirements or software prerequisites, you can specify them with the aid of check boxes and drop menus.

Advanced options can be found in other categories. You can choose what dialogs to be displayed while running the wizard, insert a text for license agreement and a check box for "I accept the agreement", a readme file and more. It is also possible to add .ini files, set up automatic actions which will be performed before or after the installation process or set the wizard to automatically create Registry keys. Most of these tasks involve clicking an Add button, beneath a list, and making a few simple settings in a small window which will show up.