Upgrades Overview

InstallShield 2016

The cost of maintaining software applications is often more expensive than the cost of original development. This makes creating effective, reliable upgrades an important task. Being able to distribute robust upgrades for an application depends on how the original installation package was structured and distributed. This help topic will provide a basic foundation for creating robust upgrade packages.

Upgrade Methods for Basic MSI and InstallScript MSI Projects

Windows Installer provides different methods for implementing three different upgrade types: small update, minor upgrade, and major upgrade. Upgrades can be packaged as either a full installation or a patch. A patch is simply another mechanism for implementing a type of upgrade. With a patch, however, you deliver to your customers only the bits required to change an installed file into a new file, unlike a full release.

Upgrade Methods for MSI Database and Transform Projects

MSI Database and Transform projects support Windows Installer major upgrades.

Upgrade Methods for InstallScript Projects

When working with InstallScript installations, you can update an application with either a full release package or differential release. Various considerations such as file size and the presence of files from any previous release must be considered in determining the best upgrade method.

Note • If you used a version of InstallShield Professional earlier than 6.0 to create media for an InstallScript project, the media cannot be updated.

See Also

Determining the Best Upgrade Solution

Working with Upgrades, Patches, and QuickPatch Projects

Working with Differential and Full Releases

Preventing the Current Installation from Overwriting a Future Major Version of the Same Product

Open topic with navigation