Generating Response Files

InstallAnywhere 2017

InstallAnywhere enables you to generate a response file. By default, all of the variables that are defined in your installation are recorded.

Note • By default, a response file is named installer.properties or [installername].properties and it is created in the same directory as the installer.

Important • A response file must be saved with the appropriate encoding.

For Windows-based target systems, the response file must be saved in one of the following encodings:

• UTF-8 without a BOM
• UTF-16 little endian

For Linux-based and macOS or OS X–based target systems, the response file must be UTF-8 without a BOM.

If an unsupported encoding is used, the installer is unable to read the file properly.

Generating Response Files By Selecting Yes in the Always Generate Response Files Setting

To automatically generate a response file and exclude variables:

1. In the Advanced Designer, on the Project page, click General Settings. The General Settings view opens.
2. In the Project Information area, click the Response File setting.
3. In the Always Generate Response File setting, select Yes.
4. In the Advanced Designer, on the Project page, click Variables. The Variables view opens.
5. In the Configure Variables area, click the Configure button. The Configure Variables dialog box opens.
6. Click the Add button. InstallAnywhere adds a blank row to the list.
7. In the Variable Name column, enter the name of the variable you want to exclude.
8. In the Options column, double-click the blank box and then select the appropriate option:
• Exclude Variable Entirely—Exclude the variable name and value in the response file.
• Exclude Value Only—Exclude only the value for the specified value in the response file.
9. Click OK.

Generating Response Files Using the -r Command-Line Option

You can force the creation of a response file without selecting Yes in the Always Generate Response File setting by using the -r command-line option, and you can use it in combination with other options.

Important • The -r command-line option requires at least one argument.

Specifying a Different Response File Location

To override the default location when generating a response file, specify the location in the command line:

install.exe -r DestinationPath

For example:

install.exe -r C:\IAProjects\ResponseFiles

In this scenario, the installer.properties response file is generated at the specified location, provided the directory or path is accessible to the end user.

Specifying a Different Response File Location and Response File Name

To override the default file name and default location when generating the response file, specify the path and new name in the command line:

install.exe -r FullPathAndFileName

For example:

install.exe -r C:\IAProjects\ResponseFiles\MyResponseFile.txt

In this scenario, a response file named MyResponseFile.txt is generated at the specified location, provided the directory or path is accessible to the end user. Also, if a file with the same name exists at the specified location, the end user must have permission to overwrite that file.

See Also

Silent Installers

About Response Files and Silent Installers

InstallAnywhere 2017 Help Library

November 2016

 Copyright Information | Flexera Software

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