How to automate software installation?

Question

We make various software at my university and it's now my job to automate the daily build installations.

Does anyone know a tool that would automate the installations? The installations are regular .exe's and they provide the standard install dialog, where you click Next, Next, ..., Finish.

Solution 1

You can try to see at Almeza MultiSet

From Almeza MultiSet features page

3) Automatic installation of any software. It is possible to create a CD/DVD that will automatically install any sets of software on multiple computers. For example, after Windows is installed, it is possible to install service packs, drivers, localizations, any software (codecs, audio players, service tools...) and configure them automatically as well.

4) Creating a bootable disk for simultaneous unattended Windows and software installation. It is possible to create a disk that will install both Windows and a set of software.

Solution 2

AutoIT

AutoIT and more specifically the AutoIT Recorder tool can record your actions. You can then convert to .exe and playback your actions on new machines.

Pros:

• very simple and easy to learn
• free
• usually works

Cons:

• if installer GUI changes, you have to update the recording...might be painful when you manage a lot of software installs

Batch (.bat) Scripts

BATch Scripts that feed in command-line arguments for silent install, such as /s or /q for silent/quiet install.

Pros:

• basics easy to learn
• work natively on all windows computers

Cons:

• not all installers have unattended install built in / working, so it won't always work.
• installers sometimes open additional popups, such as to install other driver software, and these may require user-intervention to agree to install
• batch scripts can be a bit finicky and their syntax unintuitive

Comments

[Zoredache]

Can the people building the packages create MSIs instead of EXEs? It would make deployment a lot easier.

[bodacydo]

It's not possible. But they are some kind of installers, maybe install shield. There are actually several different installers.

[Zoredache]

Many installers can be automated, but you may need to bug the developers. They should be able to tell you if those installers support some kind of automated install.

[surfasb]

Yes, please bug them for MSIs. They were designed for this purpose.