Modern applications consist of many components and require complex installation steps to be completed before they will run. Installation tools simplify the process of getting your software working on the end user's computer by packaging the application into a distributable form and automating the installation process.
 How to add an auto update capability to your applications

Installation and Distribution Tools by Binarymission Technologies Ltd

BinaryToolboxAutoInstaller .NET V1.0

BinaryToolboxAutoInstaller .NET Ver. 1.0 is a .NET component, which provides simple to use methods to automate installation of .NET controls/components into the Microsoft© VisualStudio© .NET Toolbox, right from your .NET applications and installer programs.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Bennet-Tec Information Systems, Inc.

UpdateLive V2.2

UpdateLive is a utility you ship with your windows application - UpdateLive keeps your application and / or data current on the end-user's computer

Installation and Distribution Tools by Indigo Rose Software Corporation

AutoPlay Media Studio V7.0

AutoPlay Media Studio is a sophisticated software creation suite that specializes in creating AutoPlay CD-ROMs. This makes it highly suitable for creating all types of interactive Windows software, from virtual business cards and educational CD-ROMs, to business presentations and other multimedia products. You simply drag and drop your favorite media files (such as photos, text, audio, video, Macromedia Flash, and more) to create your own Windows application.

Setup Factory V7.0.5.1

Don't be fooled by products costing twice as much. Setup Factory 7.0 has everything you need to make rock-solid professional software installers - and it's easier and faster to use. New project wizard, 20+ customizable screens, themes/skins, runtime modules, multilingual support, MD5 serial numbers, shortcut icons, single-file setup.exe for internet downloads, powerful scripting engine with 250+ functions, authenticode support and much more.

Setup Factory for Windows Installer (MSI) V1.1

When you need to create .MSI format software installer packages, choose the next generation intelligent setup builder. It's the only visual setup builder to fully leverage Microsoft's next generation Windows Installer XML (WiX) compiler technology for creating 100% pure MSI format installer packages in a faster and more intuitive way.

TrueUpdate V3.0

TrueUpdate 3.0 is a comprehensive solution for software developers wanting to integrate automatic updating capabilities into their software applications. TrueUpdate gives you a robust client/server framework for determining required updates, and then retrieving and applying the necessary patch or installation files using standard Internet protocols. You won't find a more flexible solution for adding a reliable "check for update" feature to your product.

Visual Patch V3.0

Visual Patch 3.0 is a fast and efficient solution for developers who need to create secure, compact and reliable patches for their software products. It features state-of-the-art DeltaMAX™ binary difference compression, combined with a powerful full-history patching engine. No other tool makes patch development as easy or as flexible.

Visual Patch Express

Visual Patch Express makes patch creation simple and uncomplicated. But don't be fooled by its simplicity -- Visual Patch Express is built on top of the same binary-differencing technology as Visual Patch 2.0. Visual Patch Express creates smaller patches in less time than those created by competitive tools. What's more, you don't have to be a programmer to use Visual Patch Express!

Installation and Distribution Tools by WeOnlyDo! Inc.

wodAppUpdate ActiveX component V1.2.9

wodAppUpdate component should be used by your application to quickly and easily provide automatic update solution - very popular "check for updates" functionality. This way you increase value and functionality of your product because now your customers always have the most newest version - and you need only 3 lines of code to provide it! wodAppUpdate uses configuration file it finds on the server of your choice (HTTP, HTTPS or FTP) and then determines if local files need to be replaced.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Teggo

MoleBox V2.2981

MoleBox Pro packages the application and all of its supplementary files into a single efficient executable file, which runs without extracting packed files to the hard drive. With MoleBox Pro you can protect your data files from viewing and modifications, and your DLLs and ActiveX components from unauthorized use. MoleBox keeps the functionality of the original application, without any additional coding. MoleBox Pro works with Win32 applications.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Green Computers

Easy SQL Deploy 2.1

EasySQL Deploy allows the user to pack and compress database data and schema, for easy deploy and distribution. It can be used to fully or partially deploy databases. It can be used to archive or backup databases as compressed SQL scripts. It supports MSSQL 2005 and 2000.

EasySQL Deploy Plus 2.1

EasySQL Deploy Plus helps you to manage not only the new database deployment, but also the database updates distribution. You can pack updates to database structure or newly inserted or updated data records. There is no need for manual scripting and laborious versioning methodologies. The package has the minimum size and can be installed on customer site without any technical knowledge.

EasySQL Deploy Professional 2.1

EasySQL Deploy Professional allows the user to pack and compress database data and schema, for easy deploy and distribution. It generates SQL scripts for user selected objects and pack them as .exe file. It can be used to fully or partially deploy databases or database updates, to synchronize databases or to backup databases as compressed SQL script. Command line interfaces are available for developers to include the package in their installation kits or to automate the package generation.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Kinetic Jump Software, LLC

AppLife Update V1.3

AppLife Update provides full update creation, distribution and application features. You can use the AppLife Update engine, Windows Installer, or your own custom executable to perform updates of your software. With public-private key encryption validation, support for elevated privileges, auto proxy detection, and automated update creation, AppLife Update is ready for the most demanding application. AppLife Update makes implementing automatic updates in your applications extremely easy.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Dacris Software Inc.

ActiSetup 2005

ActiSetup is an advanced setup development environment for Windows Installer. It supports authoring MSI installation packages, merge modules, and patches. It allows you to create installation packages for your software products, with maximum ease of use and flexibility. With ActiSetup, you can quickly create installations with a single step-by-step wizard, as well as directly edit the MSI tables for greater fine-tuning.

Installation and Distribution Tools by ej-technologies GmbH

install4j V3.2

install4j is a powerful multi-platform Java installer builder that generates native installers and application launchers for Java applications. install4j excels in its ease of use, its tight integration into the target platforms and its flexible JRE management and deployment options.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Excelsior LLC

Excelsior Installer 1.6

Excelsior Installer helps you create installation packages for your Windows applications. It is absolutely FREE! We tried to create an easy to use installation authoring software that would enable you to prepare your first installation in less than ten minutes and re-package it in two mouse clicks after updating any of your application’s files.

Excelsior JET 4.8

Excelsior JET is a comprehensive solution for Java client- and server-side application performance, scalability, and code protection. It transforms your Java code into a conventional Windows executable (EXE, DLL, or NT Service) or Linux binary (executable or shared library) that runs directly on hardware, as if it was written in C++, FORTRAN, or COBOL. This feature is called Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) compilation, as opposed to Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation implemented in most contemporary J2SE VMs.

Excelsior JET 6.0

Excelsior JET is a comprehensive solution for Java client- and server-side application performance, scalability, and code protection. It transforms your Java code into a conventional Windows executable (EXE, DLL, or NT Service) or Linux binary (executable or shared library) that runs directly on hardware, as if it was written in C++, FORTRAN, or COBOL. This feature is called Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) compilation, as opposed to Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation implemented in most contemporary J2SE VMs.

Installation and Distribution Tools by tmssoftware.com

TMS Plugin Framework V6.0.4

Makes building applications with plugins easy.

Installation and Distribution Tools by AutoUpdate+

AutoUpdate+ V3.2.0.73

AutoUpdate+ is an application that easily allows you to add updating/upgrading capabilities to your software. With today's shortening product development cycles and an always existing need to add features and fix bugs, it has become mandatory to provide autoupdating capabilities. The AutoUpdate+ application is the only application you will find on the market that is fully XML based and which allows for complete remote configuration of all client behaviors and messages.

Installation and Distribution Tools by AgenSoft Inc.

PatchFactory V3.3.3

Full-featured byte-level patching system for bandwidth-efficient software updating. PatchFactory provides a robust feature set that gives software developers the ability to tailor the update process to their specific needs and to reduce end-user support costs.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Synopsis Software

FlashUpdate V1.3.7.300

FlashUpdate is a full-featured and easy-to-use software update solution. Create, manage and distribute your software updates and patches easily! Your users can now update your applications automatically over the Internet. Features a powerful WYSIWYG editor, an advanced binary patching engine, support for automatic updates, one-click deployment to the Internet, and more. Never worry about users running outdated versions of your software again!

Installation and Distribution Tools by InstallAware

InstallAware V7.0 -  InstallAware has been designed from the ground up to offer a fusion of scripting, web deployment, and Windows Installer technologies. If you are looking for an installer software, InstallAware is your best choice. It complies with the latest Windows Installer (MSI) standards, gives you full freedom in deploying parts of your application online, and features a two-way integrated visual/scripting IDE that puts you in total control of your setups.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Innovative Solutions

Advanced Uninstaller PRO V8.0 -  This easy-to-use Windows application uninstaller makes your computer run more efficiently by removing software and files that were left behind after you uninstalled software that you no longer use. In addition, the program performs a number of cleanup activities, making your computer more secure.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Wise Solutions, Inc.

Wise for Windows Installer V6.2 -  Professional developers rely on Wise for Windows Installer to quickly and easily create reliable .MSI installations using the latest Microsoft technologies. With exclusive features for development teams of any size, Wise for Windows Installer gives you everything you need to create any type of installation-whether desktop, server, Web, or mobile. With Wise for Windows Installer, one installation tool does it all.

Wise Installation System V9.0 -  The Developer’s choice for script-based installations - No other installation tool comes close to combining the advanced features, reliability, and ease-of-use of Wise Installation System. Thousands of developers have already taken a stand against hard-to-use, unreliable installation tools to make Wise Installation System the standard for script-based installations.

Wise Package Studio V7 -  Wise Package Studio helps system administrators prepare applications for enterprise use through a structured application management, packaging and quality assurance process. Wise Package Studio produces high-quality deployments that support corporate standards while simplifying system administrator tasks. Packages prepared for deployment with Wise Package Studio help system administrators decrease total cost of ownership (TCO) and support costs while increasing application reliability.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Macrovision Corporation

FLEXnet AdminStudio V8.6 -  Macrovision’s FLEXnet AdminStudio solutions enable enterprise IT departments to prepare reliable packages for deployment quickly and correctly. Whether you have one packaging team or multiple IT centers around the globe, FLEXnet AdminStudio standardizes and streamlines your software packaging process, improving the reliability of your applications, reducing desktop management costs, and increasing IT productivity.

FLEXnet Connect V6.1 -  FLEXnet Connect is the only solution that keeps you connected to users by electronically delivering applications, software updates, and messages directly to their systems – keeping your software up to date, your support costs down, and your customers happy. It also provides data about your users you can use to improve software development and marketing.

FLEXnet Publisher V8.5 -  FLEXnet Publisher Licensing Module delivers flexible licensing options with advanced security technologies to help companies increase product revenues and ensure software protection. Macrovision’s Publisher Licensing Module provides maximum flexibility for companies to customize pricing, packaging and licensing terms for their products. The Licensing Module also includes tamper-resistant technologies, preventing revenue loss due to unauthorized usage.

InstallAnywhere 2008 -  InstallAnywhere simplifies deploying software onto any client or server platform. It handles all of the complexities automatically, configuring your software exactly as you want it, each and every time. InstallAnywhere supports nearly every platform, including the latest editions of Windows, Mac OS, Mac OS X, Solaris, Linux, HP-UX, AIX, and more. And, with built in support for 29 languages, your end-users will all have the same experience installing and configuring your software.

InstallShield 2008 -  Deployed on more than 500 million PCs globally, Macrovision's award-winning InstallShield technology combines power and flexibility with ease-of-use. First-time developers find it easy to create installations, while power users find its depth and flexibility perfect for developing complex software installations.

InstallShield® Windows® Express Edition V12 -  The Quickest and Easiest Path to Reliable Installations. InstallShield Express is the easiest and fastest path to reliable Windows installations. Express guides users step-by-step through a Project Assistant and a visual checklist interface, enabling complete installation development with no training or scripting, in less than a day. Express is backed by the expertise of the industry leader.

Installation and Distribution Tools by PHD Computer Consultants

ShellRun V3.6 -  Start your CD or DVD professionally. ShellRun neatly AutoRuns your chosen file as soon as your CD is inserted into a Windows computer, while optionally displaying a splash window or fully configurable popup window. ShellRun also helps if your CD user has not installed a suitable viewer, for example to view PDF files. ShellRun shows your warning message and tells the user how to get a viewer

Installation and Distribution Tools by Proggle

Installer/GD V3.7.5 -  A better full-featured installation and maintenance solution for Windows 9x/ME/NT4/2000/XP applications. No scripts required. Visual project editing. All project data in one file. Localizable wizard interface. Unlimited component hierarchies. Registry/INI modifications. Icon addition/removal. Installation/maintenance types. Installation rollback. Component registration. Small overhead. Variables. Project checker. Free for freeware apps.

Installation and Distribution Tools by BitRock S.L.

BitRock InstallBuilder V5.4.2 -  BitRock InstallBuilder and InstallBuilder for Qt® simplify application packaging and deployment. From a single build environment, these development tools allow you to quickly create easy to use, multiplatform installers with a native look and feel on Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, Solaris and other platforms. Multiple installation modes let installers run on servers, workstations, and desktops. Both versions of InstallBuilder also offer RPM integration and other advanced functionality.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Lindersoft

SetupBuilder V6.7 -  SetupBuilder™ is a Rapid Setup Development authoring solution for Windows XP/2000/NT4 and Me/98/95. SetupBuilder offers a user-friendly visual development environment that does not require knowledge of a script language. It allows you to use a point-and-click interface to create and manage installation projects based on your business needs. This conserves your time while extending your flexibility so more time is spent where you want — on your applications.

Installation and Distribution Tools by Code Systems Corp

Xenocode Virtual Appliance Studio 5.1 -  Converts Windows, .NET, Java, Flash, Shockwave, or other Windows-compatible applications into self-contained virtual appliances that run instantly. Deploys your application, data files, settings, and runtimes in a single executable Dramatically simplify application deployment and maintenance by shipping a single executable that runs immediately anywhere. No more "DLL hell", separate setups, or missing dependencies. Run right now.