InstallShield 2016
Project • This information applies to the following project types:
| • | Basic MSI |
| • | DIM |
| • | InstallScript MSI |
| • | Merge Module |
| • | MSI Database |
| • | MSM Database |
| • | Transform |
Project-specific differences are noted where applicable.
InstallShield lets you optionally prevent a shortcut on the Start menu from being highlighted as newly installed after end users install your product. This has the same effect as clearing the Highlight newly installed programs check box in the Customize Start Menu dialog box for an individual item on a target system. You may want to set this property for shortcuts that are for tools and secondary products that are part of your installation.
If you specify that you want to prevent the highlight functionality for a shortcut, the installation sets a Windows Shell property. By default, the property is not set for new shortcuts.
Note that the method for preventing the highlight behavior varies, depending on the project type that you are using.
Instructions for Windows Installer–Based Projects
For Basic MSI, DIM, InstallScript MSI, Merge Module, MSI Database, MSM Database, and Transform projects, use the Shell Properties setting to prevent the highlight behavior.
To prevent the Start menu entry for a shortcut from being highlighted as newly installed:
| 1. | In the View List under System Configuration, click Shortcuts. |
| 2. | In the Shortcuts explorer, select the shortcut that you want to configure. The shortcut’s settings are displayed in the right pane. |
| 3. | In the Shell Properties setting, click the Add New Shell Shortcut Property button, and then click Do Not Highlight as New. InstallShield adds a new Key Name setting, plus additional rows of related settings under it, and configures them as needed. |
To enable the Start menu entry to be highlighted, find the Key Name setting that has a Property subsetting with either of the following, and click the Delete this shortcut shell property button in the Key Name setting:
| • | System.AppUserModel.ExcludeFromShowInNewInstall |
| • | {9F4C2855-9F79-4B39-A8D0-E1D42DE1D5F3}, 8 |
Windows Installer 5 introduced support for this shortcut property. Earlier versions of Windows Installer ignore this property.
Note that for Windows Installer–based installations, some end users have reported run-time warnings or errors with a message such as the following one when Windows Installer is installing a shortcut that configures Shell properties:
Property [1] for shortcut ’[2].lnk’ could not be set.
In the aforementioned message, [1] is the name of the Shell property that Windows Installer is attempting to set, and [2].lnk is the name of the shortcut file. In such cases, it appears that the .lnk file could be locked by a different process.
Instructions for InstallScript Projects
For InstallScript projects, use the Do Not Highlight as New setting.
To prevent the Start menu entry for a shortcut from being highlighted as newly installed:
| 1. | In the View List under System Configuration, click Shortcuts. |
| 2. | In the Shortcuts explorer, select the shortcut that you want to configure. The shortcut’s settings are displayed in the right pane. |
| 3. | In the Do Not Highlight as New setting, select Yes. |
Windows 7 introduced support for this setting. Earlier versions of Windows ignore this setting.
InstallScript Language Support
The following InstallScript functions enable you to prevent the highlight behavior:
| • | CreateShortcut |
| • | SetShortcutProperty |
See Also
Setting Shell Properties for a Shortcut
InstallShield 2016 Help LibraryAugust 2016 |
Copyright Information | Flexera Software |