You want to transfer a database or a self-written tool in such a manner that the relevant files can be automatically installed at an appropriate location of your choice, and that too via a small routine.


You can compile several files in an archive using self-extracting archives and determine the location on the target computer where they should be copied. Easy compi lati on: Open ‘Start | Run’, enter ‘iexpress’ and click on ‘OK’. A wizard is started. Activate the ‘Create new Self Extracting Directive files’ and click on ‘Next’. Even the following command ‘Extract files and run an installation command’ remains activated. In the ‘Packaged files’ dialog box, click on ‘Add’ and add the required files. In the following dialogs, you can configure settings for license instructions, messages, system restart and other tasks. In the last step, save the generated SED file (Self Extraction Directive) to be used later on.

Complex installations: Here, an additional INF file which contains instructions for the exact setup process is used. Include it in the installation package like the other files. In the dialog box, select the INF file at ‘Install program’, set the ‘Post Install Command’ setting to ‘None’ and click on ‘Next’. Then, carry out the further steps of the wizard and specify the storage location for the archive. In the dialog field ‘Configure reboot’, select ‘No reboot’ and click on ‘Next’. Save the generated SED file and click on ‘Next’ twice. When the archive is extracted at any point in time, the files as described in the INF file are copied to the system in question.

Note: Regenerating the installation archive after a modification can be automated through the existing SED file. For this, start ‘iexpress’ with the command line option ‘/N’ and specify the name of the SED file after a space. Also use the options ‘/Q’ and ‘/M’ to suppress the dialog boxes and minimize the windows. You can also save the complete commands in a small batch file for a simpler call-up.