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SSE Setup Version Changes
Note: This is just a summary of the most important latest changes. It does not cover all of them and does not provide full info on them. For detailed info on all changes, see the Version Changes section of the help file after installing the new version! For information how to update to any of these versions, see the Update info page!
Version 5.1
v5.1 is primarily just an update to help "work around" some problems with a few (very few) virus scanners incorrectly finding viruses/causing problems with v5.0. If you are new to the 5.x series, make sure you read all the notes below related to v5.0.
Version 5.0
Intro to the 5.x series
SSE Setup 5.x, which has been over a year in the making, makes a major departure from all previous versions. Besides numerous new features and changes, the main difference is the method in which one actually creates an install.
In all previous SSE Setup versions, one would manually edit a SSEset.dat file to create an install. While this was extremely easy with v1.0 of SSE Setup, as SSE Setup continued to grow in features and complexity, by the time I was in the 3.x/4.x series, it was starting to get a little too difficult for those just starting out with it. The documentation grew by leaps and bounds to match with all the new features and it just became a little too overwhelming to many new SSE Setup users. I had always claimed that SSE Setup's strength lie in the fact that it wasn't a scripting language and that it didn't use a clunky GUI program either. It was different because it just required some simple editing and wasn't in a scripting format. However, even in v.4.4 (the last 4.x version), while it was still basically just "simple editing", the problem was that some new users had trouble even figuring out what they were to do just because all of the documentation and everything seemed overwhelming.
I had originally begun work on a unique, easy-to-use (not clunky) GUI install creator which was originally going to be released for 4.x and then got pushed to 5.x. However, before I got too far along with it, I was approached by a developer, André Beuving, who had ALREADY been working on a similar program for SSE Setup (he recognized the need too) and was much farther along then I was. After evaluating his approach, I lent him my full support and cooperation, and after rigorous development and testing, the new SSE Setup Booster GUI Install Creator ('SSE Setup Booster' or just 'Booster' for short) was ready!
By default, all projects opened or started in the Launchpad will now open with SSE Setup Booster for project editing. If you decide you do not want to use Booster, you can still edit all your projects manually just as with all previous versions - simply select the "Settings" link in the Launchpad to choose!
I am pleased to say that thanks to the fine work (and long hours) of André Beuving, the Booster program is GREAT, and offers very robust integration with SSE Setup!
Booster can edit a project, create the distribution and publish it on the Internet. It greatly simplifies using the SSE Setup Internet Updater with your projects as well. With the addition of Booster to SSE Setup, you now have a full easy solution for quickly managing an application's install, patches (hotfixes) or upgrades to the application, and publishing patches or upgrades on the Internet where your installed program can automatically download and install them!!
In true SSE Setup style, Booster is very easy - everything is arranged in an index style, where you can easily jump to the settings you want to modify, and just like before, you can still TEST your install/uninstall at any time with the current settings, without actually having to save or create a distribution! And it was created in the SSE Setup tradition of "you only need to modify what you want, everything else goes to standard defaults".
After giving it a try, I believe you will agree with me that SSE Setup just got a whole lot Simpler, Smarter, and Easier then ever before!
Chris Long,
Changes Made
- Bug Fix: Patch installs (TYPE:PATCH) had trouble with language specific disclaimer files.
- Bug Fix: The RUNCHECKEXE setting in PREREQUISITES would not have worked right under most non-admin installs.
- Bug Fix: The Prerequisites CPU check incorrectly handled multiple processors/cores. Wasn't really a major problem, but it didn't handle these quite right.
- Bug Fix: Assorted Display/Operational problems with HD/RAM/CPU Prerequisites checks in various locales.
- Bug Fix: "Elevation required" error message when running a Setup that included the VB Runtime files on a Standard User Account in Vista.
- Bug Fix: Some programs may have exhibited inconsistencies on Vista between a program run at the end of install (either by Setup or the Internet Updater) and when a user manually started the program.
- Bug Fix: Uninstall of "non Vista Aware" programs (those not marked with a manifest specifying a requestedExecutionLevel) would not have taken into account the Virtualized program folder and an upgrade install could not upgrade files from the Virtualized program folder.
- Bug Fix: Problems with upgrading and uninstalling 64-bit programs on 64-bit OS's. SSE Setup had trouble closing open 64-bit processes that should have been closed for upgrade or uninstall.
- Bug Fix: Hidden folders produced various problems/were not correctly seen.
- Bug Fix: Items in the Uninstaller's Remaining files list might have been cut off if they had a long path.
- Bug Fix: Error messages when using SHOWWELCOME:1 with Patch installs (TYPE:PATCH).
- Bug Fix: A few mostly minor multi-language related problems.
- Bug Fix (Internet Update Module): .NET runtime downloads might have failed with "unknown error" #6 message. This didn't start occurring until sometime in late Summer 2007. However, if the user tried to run Setup again, it would then have worked fine. I fixed this issue, effective retroactively, in November. This means this is no longer an issue with any SSE Setup version.
- Bug Fix: Rare "Error 5" error when running Setup from a UNC path.
- New Feature: GUI install creation! See the "Intro to the 5.x Series" note above. This is the default, however you can still edit your projects the "old way" if you prefer.
- New Feature: New distribution related options, including custom ZIP/EXE filenames, and the ability to change the file attributes for an EXE.
- New Feature: Your distribution settings for each project are remembered.
- New Feature: You can manually set the icon that displays for your program in Add/Remove Programs.
- New Feature: You can set Publisher information for display in Add/Remove Programs.
- New Feature: Wizard scaling on higher screen resolutions.
- New Feature: An admin user can choose to install links for just themself or all users.
- New Feature: New ROOTDRIVE keyword. This can be used anywhere in the SSEset.dat (such as the INSTALL section) to specify the root drive.
- New Feature: A system restore point is automatically created on XP/Vista before a program is installed. This can be disabled if desired.
- New Feature: CreateDist can be run from the command line.
- New Change: The "?" About button only shows on unlicensed installs, only about 5% of the time, and only on a computer where SSE Setup itself is not installed.
- New Change: You now can specify a file for the default disclaimer (license) text.
- New Change: A program run via the RUNCHECKEXE setting in PREREQUISITES now must write its file to the user's temp folder.
- New Change: All SSEset.dat's in final distributions are encrypted; the "Encrypt SSEset.dat" option no longer appears.
- New Change: Each time you create a distribution, all already existing distributions are deleted.
- New Change: You can now allow the default suggested install folder to be anything you want. I got sick of getting asked for this. :)
- New Change: Launchpad's Start New Project window is different and automates some SSEset.dat settings.
- New Change: You can use a custom icon for uninstaller links.
- New Change: Updated the "Browse Folder" window in WIZARD UI's to look better.
- New Change: Patch Changes. Structural patch changes in the Launchpad. If you've ever created a patch with previous versions, make *SURE* you read the Patch Changes note in the Version Changes part of the v5.0 help file!
- New Change: The Uninstaller will automatically remove all .GID, .CHW, .FTS, and Thumbs.db files in your program folder or any subfolders in your program folder.
- New Change: Easy Internet Update Information file creation and uploading. The new Booster program allows you to create the Internet Update Information file much easier than before where you had to manually type it and upload, etc.
- New Change: Program names/versions up to 36 characters can show on the Welcome screen without cropping.
- New Change: Files to be upgraded during an upgrade install, as specified in UPGRADEFILES, can now be located in any folder and transferred to any folder. Previously, SSE Setup assumed that the files were located in (or under) the old version's folder and would then only transfer them to (or under) the new version's folder.
- New Change: Number of files that can be installed has increased. Previously, there was a limit of about 15,000 files. Now you can install/uninstall up to 50,000 files.
- New Change: All files are installed with their file attributes.
- New Change: SSEAudioSupport.exe is no longer used to provide audio support during install. Its functionality now resides directly in Setup (no overhead increase).
- New Change (Launchpad): Several Launchpad enhancements to allow for easier project manipulation.
New Change (Internet Update Module): The Internet Update Module has been completely reworked "under the hood" and has many changes. A main benefit of this is that non-admin users can now use the updater without having to have MSINET.OCX preinstalled.
New Change: The actual creating of distributions is as much as 30% faster.
- New Change: The .NET Framework v3.5 is fully supported for use with DOTNETVERSION in PREREQUISITES.
- New Change: Only a project using SSE Setup 2.0 or greater can be updated to 5.x or greater by the Launchpad. Also, if you open and save a project in Booster, it will automatically be updated to the installed version.
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