Windows 8 Changes Setup Developers Need To Know About

I've been using Windows 8 for awhile and I like it a lot.  I can't say I liked the new Start Screen at first but it's grown on me.  There is room for improvement though.

Anyways, back to installs  Here's a short list I have for the moment and I'll come back and grow it as more things occur to me.

1) The Change UAC Settings dialog doesn't really disable UAC.  You'll find your command windows aren't elevated and that you get UAC confirmation when updating files in the Windows directory.  To completely disable UAC you have to go into the registry and change the EnableLUA policy registry value from 1 to 0 and reboot.  I'm not saying you should do this, I'm just saying that if you *STILL* aren't creating installers that follow best practices with regard to custom action scheduling and execution context  you really, really need to get on board.  (Ahem Visual Studio Deployment Project users ).

2) .NET 2.0/3.0/3.5 is not installed by default.  If you are using managed code such as custom actions that don't have an activation policy manifest that allows the use of newer versions of the framework they will blow up.  (Ahem Visual Studio Installer Class Custom actions users)

3) Installing .NET 2.0/3.0/3.5 on Windows 8 is a pain in the back side.   You can't use the EXE redist, you have to use a dism command to enable the feature.  However,  Microsoft didn't include the bits in the install.wim so it has to be able to go out to Windows Update and download source. In other words it's  web/wsus enabled (via the OS) install only.   There is no standalone installer (MSU) that I'm aware of.    This is a sore spot and is best cured by moving your code forward to .NET 4.0 or beyond.

4) The new start screen shows all icons by default.  The user can create groups (think groupbox )  but they can not create subfolders and zoom into to see the icons.  In other words,  if your installer creates a bunch of icons and you thought that was ok because you were putting them into subfolders to hide them, they will all appear and the user will have to unpin a bunch of shortcuts to clean up his desktop.  (InstallShield, Visual Studio...  lots of icons )   To prevent your installer from doing this, set the System.AppUserModel.StartPinOption to 1 using the MsiShortCutProperty table.


Those are my three biggies so far.  As I discover more, I'll keep you posted.

Help Wanted - Austin, TX or Atlanta, GA

Calling all available Hard Core Deployment Engineers!
 
I'm looking for a setup developer with experience using three or more of the following:

WiX, MSI, InstallShield, C#, C++,  Microsoft TFS  (Source Control and Team Build ), Build / Release Automation

This is for a contract position in Atlanta, GA or Austin, TX supporting The Home Depot's  Open Systems Engineering - Windows Automation team.

Feel free to reach out to me to discuss further. 

No Third Parties.
 

Visual Studio Deployment Projects Migration Assistance Available

With Visual Studio 2012 shipped, the news from a year and a half ago that Visual Studio Deployment Projects would no long be supported is finally hitting home with developers.

They generally aren't happy.

FWIW, I've converted hundreds of these projects to other project types using tools such as Windows Installer XML and InstallShield.  I have this process down to a science and I'd love to have an opportunity to work with anyone needing assistance in moving forward.  

You'll find that I have tools and methodologies that keep my costs very low while greatly improving the quality of your product's installer.

Patriotic Opener

Credit: United States Marines / Released

Back when I was in the Corps, I used to travel all over the world performing for audiences.  One of our show formats was the Patriotic Opener.   This was basically where we would march onto a stage and do a stand still performance.   Over the years we performed at some impressive venues for some high up big wigs but none as cool or as high as this recent performance.  You can watch the entire ceremony over at C-SPAN.