Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
More Robust Installation Routines
If a typical setup program is aborted during the
software installation process, the results are unpredictable. If the actual installation hasn't
yet begun, then the installer generally removes any temporary files that may have been
created. However, if the file copy routine starts before the system encounters an error,
it is likely that the files will not be automatically removed from the operating system. In
contrast, the Windows Installer allows you to roll back any changes when the application
setup process is aborted.
Ability to Use Elevated Privileges
Installing applications usually requires the user to
have Administrator permissions on the local computer because file system and registry
changes are required. When installing software for network users, system administrators
have two options. First, they can log off of the computer before installing the software and
then log back on as a user who has Administrator permissions on the local computer. This
method is tedious and time-consuming. The second option is to give users Administrator
permissions temporarily on their own machines. This method could cause security
problems and requires the attention of a system administrator.
Through the use of the Installer service, the Windows Installer is able to use temporarily
elevated privileges to install applications. This allows users, regardless of their security
settings, to execute the installation of authorized applications. This saves time and
preserves security.
Support for Repairing Corrupted Applications
Regardless of how well a network
environment is managed, critical files are sometimes lost or corrupted. Such problems
can prevent applications from running properly and can cause crashes. Windows Installer
packages provide you with the ability to verify the installation of an application and, if
necessary, replace any missing or corrupted files. This support saves time and lessens end-
user headaches associated with removing and reinstalling an entire application to replace
just a few files.
Prevention of File Conflicts
Generally, different versions of the same files should be
compatible with each other. In the real world, however, this isn't always the case. A classic
problem in the Windows world is the case of one program replacing DLLs that are used by
several other programs. Windows Installer accurately tracks which files are used by certain
programs and ensures that any shared files are not improperly deleted or overwritten.
Automated Installations
A typical application setup process requires end users or system
administrators to respond to several prompts. For example, a user may be able to choose
the program group in which icons will be created and the file system location to which the
program will be installed. Additionally, they may be required to choose which options are
installed. Although this type of flexibility is useful, it can be tedious when you are rolling
out multiple applications. By using features of the Windows Installer, however, users are
able to specify setup options before the process begins. This allows system administrators
to ensure consistency in installations, and it saves users time.
Advertising and On-Demand Installations
One of the most powerful features of the
Windows Installer is its ability to perform on-demand software installations. Prior to the
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