New tool - Visual & Installer for Visual Studio

[T.Slappy]

Hi all!

I would like to introduce my new tool on which I have been working for some time.
It is called Visual & Installer - it is FREE Visual Studio Add-in for creating NSIS and Inno Setup installers. It integrates NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) and Inno Setup with Microsoft Visual Studio IDE and allows you to create and build NSIS and Inno Setup projects right within Visual Studio getting all benefits of common integrated environment!

Visual & Installer installation package also contains Graphical Installer Wizard - optional tool for creating cool-looking skinned NSIS and Inno Setup installers (based on Graphical Installer) directly in Visual Studio. With it whole installer can be created by a few clicks - No manual writing is necessary!



Read more about it here: http://www.unsigned-softworks.sk/visual-installer/

Some developers talk:
I found several good topics here on this forum which inspired me to create this tool:
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?t=280741
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?t=325536
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?t=275683

Many people requested this feature in NSIS but no solution was totally user friendly.
Recently I needed to integrate NSIS installer with Visual Studio so I created simple add-in for this purpose - and now everyone can use it!

This tool in in BETA stage - currently only Visual Studio 2010 is supported.
Please let me know about bugs or missing features [post reply in this topic] - I will try to improve this tool!

[T.Slappy]

Hi!

I am working on a new feature into Visual & Installer - syntax highlighting in Visual Studio 2010!

Check attached picture for progress.

[T.Slappy]

Originally Posted by T.Slappy

Hi!

I am working on a new feature into Visual & Installer - syntax highlighting in Visual Studio 2010!

Check attached picture for progress.

New version is ready: v 1.0.1.2 - with Syntax highlighting for NSIS, warnings detection and many new features!

[T.Slappy]

Originally Posted by T.Slappy

New version is ready: v 1.0.1.2 - with Syntax highlighting for NSIS, warnings detection and many new features!

Hello.

I forgot to update this topic - I regularly update my product Visual & Installer.

Since last change here there are many, many changes. The current version is 1.0.3.15

Here is list (shortened) of features:

• New project types: NSIS Project and Inno Setup Project
• Full integration into Visual Studio IDE
• Supports: Visul Studio 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 (also Community Edition) and 2015
• Build installers directly with other project types
• NSIS Project and Inno Setup Project properties
• Syntax highlighting (coloring)
• IntelliSense Complete Word support
• IntelliSense Parameter Info
• IntelliSense Quick Info
• Navigation Bars support
• Complete linkage to the solution build process
• Quick jump from Error List window
• Go To support
• Hints and tips for writing scripts
• Code optimizations
• Opening script files (Go To file)
• IntelliSense Code Snippets support
• Creating custom Code Snippets
• Outlining (Regions) support
• Plug-ins recognition
• Full version control system support
• Dynamic help system
• Cross-version compatibility for all Visual Studio versions
• MessageBox Designer
• Convert VS Setup projects (.vdproj) into NSIS or Inno Setup!

There are many new features and new items, check the product website www.visual-installer.com


(I do not want to create new topic so I put this here)
Currently I am working on new product RAD & Installer - it is similar tools to Visual & Installer but it works with Embarcadero RAD Studio 2009, 2010, XE - XE8.

Currently the product is free and you can get it at www.rad-installer.com.

[T.Slappy]

Hello guys.

Another (regular) update of Visual & Installer (1.0.3.17) was released. Changes:

• Dark Theme (Text Editor, Find References, ...) + default colors for dark themes (theme is automatically detected during installation)
• Type of variables (also of parameters) is shown in IntelliSense tooltips (Code Completion, Quick Info, ...) and in the Navigation Bars
• Updated items (and their icons) in Navigation Bars and IntelliSense: Macros (italic)
• Improved German (Deutsche Sprache) translation in installer
• Fixed rare Null Reference Exception when switching projects in Visual Studio
• Support for NSIS 3.0b2 (see changes)

Download latest version from www.visual-installer.com.

[T.Slappy]

Hello.

We have updated our product Visual & Installer to version 1.0.3.18. Changes:

• Fixed searching for references for variables (variable declaration line, Find References feature)
• Correct parsing NSIS functions (and comments), removed duplicate $ character(s)
• All unSigned's installers are now dual signed with SHA-1 and SHA-256 certificates + signed uninstaller (uninst000.exe)
• Improved installer (As recommended by Microsoft's desktop applications guideline): No welcome, page, Print and Save license buttons, ...
• Support for GI for NSIS 4.2.01 (Norka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.8.01 (see changes)
• Support for NSIS 3.0b3 (see changes)
• Support for NSIS 2.50 (see changes)

See the details, features and get Free Trial at http://visual-installer.com/

[T.Slappy]

Hello.

We updated our product Visual & Installer to version 1.0.3.19. Changes:

• Added path to script file and line number into NSIS tooltips for better orientation in script files
• United tooltips structure (for Functions [procedures], Variables, Symbols, ...)
• Improved searching symbols under cursor for Go To feature and IntelliSense Quick Info
• Support for NSIS 3.0 RC1 (see changes)
• Support for GI for NSIS 4.3.01 (Oxanka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.7.01 (see changes)
• Updated NSIS Project Properties (texts, options, details):
• Implemented /WX (command line) switch into NSIS Project Properties (Treat warnings as errors).
• Implemented /PPO and /SAFEPPO (command line) switches into NSIS Project Properties (Runs only the preprocessor [Prints the result to Output Window]. The safe version will not execute specific instructions).
• Improved parsing results from NSIS compiler (treat warnings as error, Note as warning, ...)

See the details, features and get Free Trial at http://visual-installer.com/

[T.Slappy]

Hello.

We have released new version of our product Visual & Installer (1.0.3.20) for Visual Studio 2005 - 2015. Changes:

• Running the resulting installer directly with 'Start Debugging' (F5) or 'Start Without Debugging' (Ctrl+F5) actions (without setting the Project Properties 'Run Installer' property).
• Removed spaces in NSIS and Inno Setup Project Templates (Improved project creating, Increased security)
• Default output name was changed to $safeprojectname$ (which is project name without spaces, invalid characters etc. in both NSIS and Inno Setup installers) instead of default 'setup.exe' to prevent DLL hijacking (Increased security)
• Page creator and Page leave functions (functions for custom pages used in Page or UninstPage commands) have custom icons (in Navigation Bars and IntelliSense Code Completion) in NSIS scripts
• Support for NSIS 3.0 (Final version - no more Beta or RC!, see changes)
• Support for NSIS 3.0 RC2 (see changes)
• Support for GI for NSIS 4.4.01 (Patka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.8.01 (see changes)
• Improved NSIS Compiler: handles recursive errors, errors in macros and included files or symbols, MessageBox and CreateShortcut errors and added warning messages with correct usage of these commands

Download the Free Trial at http://visual-installer.com/

Slappy

[T.Slappy]

Hello.

We have released new version of our product Visual & Installer (1.0.3.21) for Visual Studio 2005 - 2017. Changes:

• Visual Studio 2017 (RC) support (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community)
• Support for NSIS 3.01 (see changes)
• Support for Graphical Installer for NSIS 4.5.01 (Rozka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.9.01 (see changes)
• MessageBox Designer as standalone application (both Inno Setup and NSIS) for Visual Studio 2015 and 2017
• NSIS Compiler now also reads stderr (Standard error stream) data into Output window (changed in NSIS 3.01)
• LaunchToolAfterBuild and LaunchToolBeforeBuild actions now supports symbols in paths and parameters (both Inno Setup and NSIS)
• Changed NSIS IntelliSense Parameter Info trigger character to Left Round Bracket '('. Originally it was [ (now it is the same as Inno Setup).
• Added missing CheckBox for NSIS Parameter Info in Settings dialog (default is On)
• Added missing IntelliSense items for commands and parameters (NSIS 3)
• .vdproj Converter as standalone application (both Inno Setup and NSIS) for Visual Studio 2015 and 2017

Download the fully featured 30 day Free Trial at http://visual-installer.com/

Slappy

Picture of Visual Studio 2017:

[T.Slappy]

Hello.

We have released new version of Visual & Installer: 1.0.4.0. This version contains many important changes and new features:

• Official Visual Studio 2017 support (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; version 15.2 (26430.06 - May 12, 2017))
• Fixed bug in final version of Visual Studio 2017 (cannot see new NSIS or Inno Setup Projects in template dialog)
• Changed all NSIS icons to NSIS 3 style everywhere - also on this website and in the manual.
• Visual Studio 2017 has become the main platform for development (C#). Old Visual Studios are still supported! (This is only for better comfort of our developers.)
• Since now all screenshots (product pictures) on this website, in Tips and in the manual will be taken from VS 2017.
• Whole GUI has been reworked (all VS versions, new dialogs use WPF). Visual Studios 2015 and 2017 use VS 2017 style (colors, icons, forms, dialogs, ...)
• Dark Theme is supported in all dialogs (all VS versions including 2005 and 2008 which officially do not support Dark Theme)
• Find References now finds and recognizes Inno Setup {#Symbols} in preprocessor lines correctly
• Rename References for Inno Setup and NSIS elements (variables, symbols, functions, procedures)
• Find References (window) has been renamed to 'References Window' (the same window for Find References and Rename References features)
• It is possible to copy content of References Window into Clipboard (as text)
• Added Progress Bar into References Window for displaying current progress of Find Rererences / Rename References operations
• Fixed issues with Administrator rights and generating hw.data and license.key file
• Installer: Default installation path has been changed from C:\Program Files (x86)\Visual & Installer\ to C:\ProgramData\Visual & Installer\.

Download free trial and get more details on official website: http://visual-installer.com/

[T.Slappy]

Hello.

We have released new version of Visual & Installer: 1.0.4.1.

Download free trial and get more details on official website: http://visual-installer.com/

This version contains many important changes and new features:

• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.3 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; version 15.3.3 (August 29, 2017))
• You can learn more about how Microsoft ships releases in the Visual Studio 2017 Release Rhythm document.
• Added popup menu into References Window for various operations with Find References results (Copy, Clear, Delete, Find, Check, ...)
• Support for NSIS 3.02 and 3.02.1 (see changes)
• Support for GI for NSIS 4.6.01 (Sonka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.10.01 (see changes)
• United NSIS 2 and NSIS 3 commands, directives, parameters, ...
• MessageBox Designer now shows new line characters ($\r $\n %n #13#10) correctly in Preview dialog
• Various optimizations in Inno Setup compiler
• Improved behaviour in enviroments with non-standard DPI settings
• United naming conventions, versions and icons used in Visual Studio Marketplace
• Improved installer and uninstaller: detecting Dark Theme, launching Visual Studio.

[T.Slappy]

Hello. We have released new version of Visual & Installer: 1.0.4.2.

Download free trial and get more details on official website: http://visual-installer.com/

This version contains many important changes and new features:

• New tool SetupProjects Converter - converts MS Visual Studio Setup and Deploy projects (.vdproj), InstallShield Limited Edition projects (.isl) and Advanced Installer Projects (.aip) into NSIS (.nsi) and Inno Setup (.iss) scripts
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.5 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; version 15.5.6 (January 29, 2018))
• You can learn more about how Microsoft ships releases in the Visual Studio 2017 Release Rhythm document.
• Support for NSIS 3.03 (see changes)
• Support for GI for NSIS 4.7.01 (Tinka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.11.01 (see changes)
• MessageBox Designer (also SetupProjects Converter) are now available as standalone applications
• All features from .vdproj Converter have moved to SetupProjects Converter and work also outside of IDE
• Fixed doubled "Visual & Installer" menu appearance in Visual Studio 2017 (if both NSIS and Inno Setup extensions were installed)
• Correct deleting registry keys for Visual Studio 2017 ("Visual & Installer" menu was still present after uninstall)

The SetuProjects Converter is standalone application which is is FREE (even open-source) so you can convert your existing scripts into NSIS

[T.Slappy]

Hello. We have released new version of Visual & Installer: 1.0.4.3.

Download free trial and get more details on official website: http://visual-installer.com/

This version contains many important changes and new features:

• Faster navigation in script with Margin Indicators (icons match the Navigation Bars icons) for NSIS Sections and Labels and Inno Setup Sections
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.7 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; version 15.7.4 (June 18, 2018))
• You can learn more about how Microsoft ships releases in the Visual Studio 2017 Release Rhythm document.
• Support for Inno Setup 5.6.0 and 5.6.1 (see changes)
• Support for Graphical Installer for Inno Setup 4.01 (Selka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.10.01 (see changes)
• Installer now speaks French language. Bonjour :-)
• Compiler now shows a warning if you use a feature from newer NSIS and Inno Setup version to inform you it may not be available. This depends on the feature type (e.g. new keywords will not be colored correctly but compiling will work fine).

Download free trial and get more details on official website: http://visual-installer.com/

[T.Slappy]

Hello. We have released new version of Visual & Installer: 1.0.4.4 and 1.0.4.5.

Download free trial and get more details on official website: http://visual-installer.com/

This version contains many important changes and new features:



1.0.4.4:

• New and improved Project Properties dialog for NSIS Project and Inno Setup Project.
• It is possible to set Project Properties separately for each Configuration (Debug/Release/...)
• New Project Property Configuration: Shows into which configuration the Project Properties are saved. Evaluates to currently selected configuration in Visual Studio - MSBuild variable $(Configuration).
• MSBuild variables can be used in all Project Properties fields. They can be saved/loaded as unevaluated
• "Launch tool before build" and "Launch tool after build" accept MSBuild variables and also symbols defined directly in Project Properties dialog
• Improved and corrected Project Properties dialog fields captions and added Examples texts
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.9 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; version 15.9.2 (November 19, 2018))
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.8 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; version 15.8.8 (October 24, 2018))

1.0.4.5:

• Preliminary support for Visual Studio 2019 (RC) (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community) Manual
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.9 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; version 15.9.8 (March 5, 2019))
• Support for NSIS 3.06 (see changes)
• Support for GI for NSIS 4.8.01 (Ulinka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.12.01 (see changes)
• Preliminary support for InnoSetupProject icon Inno Setup 6.0.0 and 6.0.1 (Inno Setup is still in beta! See changes)
• Refreshed, united and modernized manual. Manual now matches other unSigned's products manuals (in style, design, content) and some parts were moved to product website.

Sorry I forgot to update this thread earlier

Download free Trial and get more details on official website: http://visual-installer.com/

Do not forget that all NSIS users registered on this forum get -20% OFF on Commercial licenses!

[T.Slappy]

Hello. We have released new version of Visual & Installer: 1.0.4.6.

This version contains many important changes and new features:

• Support for Visual Studio 2019 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community), up to May 24, 2019 - version 16.1.1
• Whole extension has been refactored and updated to support asynchronous autoload (AsyncPackage), currently used in Visual Studio 2019
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.9 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community), up to May 14, 2019 - version 15.9.12 Servicing Update
• Support for Inno Setup 6.0.2 (Inno Setup 6 was oficially released! See changes)
• Support for Graphical Installer for Inno Setup 6.01 (Tamka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.11.01 (see changes)
• Updated and cleaned Inno Setup Contants - with added detailed description
• Updated and cleaned NSIS Contants - with added detailed description
• Fixed NullReferenceException ("Object reference not set to an instance of an object") when accessing the Project Properties.

Download free Trial and get more details on official website: http://visual-installer.com/

Do not forget that all NSIS users registered on this forum get -20% OFF on Commercial licenses!

[T.Slappy]

Hello.

We have released new version of Visual & Installer: 1.0.4.7.

This version contains many important changes and new features:

• Support for Visual Studio 2019 16.4 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 16.4.1 (December 10, 2019))
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.9 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 15.9.18 (December 10, 2019))
• Support for NSIS 3.05 (see changes - Important note: ANSI targets are deprecated, consider moving to Unicode!)
• Support for GI for NSIS 4.9.01 (Vilka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.13.01
• Setup Dialogs (Forms and Pages) generated with Install Designer (NEW!) work out of the box with Visual & Installer
• Compiler shows warning if newer NSIS version is installed than is already supported (to prevent errors in script like unknown commands, ...)
• It is possible to use keyboard arrows to navigate in Settings dialog

Download free Trial and get more details on official website: http://visual-installer.com/

Do not forget that all NSIS users registered on this forum get -20% OFF on Commercial licenses!

[T.Slappy]

Hello.

We have released new version of Visual & Installer: 1.0.4.8. and 1.0.4.9. These versions contains many important changes and new features:

1.0.4.8:

• Support for Visual Studio 2019 16.5 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 16.5.2 (March 31, 2020))
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.9 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 15.9.21 (March 10, 2020))
• Improved working with scripts generated with Install Designer
• Minor fixes and performance improvements
• NSIS New Project templates now use 'RequestExecutionLevel user' and 'InstallDir "$LOCALAPPDATA\..."'
• Added possibility to select the installer's language on startup

1.0.4.9:

• Support for Visual Studio 2019 16.6 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 16.6.3 (June 30, 2020))
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.9 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 15.9.24 (June 9, 2020))
• Fixed bug in parsing NSIS section with /o parameter
• Added missing IntelliSense items for NSIS + fixed few typos
• Implemented first set of Quick Actions (Light Bulb Suggestions) using customizable Selection dialog
• Adding File(s)/Folder into NSIS Section
• Also tweaked colors for NSIS in Dark mode: String, Variable and Preprocessor (more comfortable colors for eyes).

The big new feature is Quick Actions (Light Bulb Suggestions) - an easy way how to add new File(s) / Folder(s) into Section:

[T.Slappy]

Hello.

We have released new version of Visual & Installer: 1.0.4.10. and 1.0.5.0. These versions contains many important changes and new features:

Version 1.0.4.10

• Support for Visual Studio 2019 16.8 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 16.8.1 (November 12, 2020))
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.9 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 15.9.29 (November 10, 2020))
• Support for NSIS 3.06 and 3.06.1 (see changes - Important note: ANSI targets are deprecated, consider moving to Unicode!)
• Support for GI for NSIS 4.10.01 (Webka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.15.01 (see changes)
• Global variables are now marked with Global word in tooltips, the parameters are marked with - Parameter.
• IntelliSense items for are now reordered so the most used items are on the top of the list.
• Fixed issues with transparent (blank) controls in Visual Studio 2019 (reinstall is needed - only in VS 2019!)
• Fixed crashing when opening the Quick Actions (Bulb Suggestion) dialog (reinstall is needed - only in VS 2019!)

Version 1.0.5.0

• Preliminary support for Visual Studio 2022 (Preview) (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community)
• Whole extension has been refactored and updated to 64 bit, currently used in Visual Studio 2022
• Support for Visual Studio 2019 16.11 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 16.11.0 (August 10, 2021))
• You can learn more in the Visual Studio 2019 Release Notes.
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.9 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community), up to version 15.9.38 (August 10, 2021)
• You can learn more in the Visual Studio 2017 Release Notes.
• Support for NSIS 3.07 (see changes)
• Support for GI for NSIS 4.11.01 (Xolka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.16.01 (see changes)

Download free Trial and get more details on official website: http://visual-installer.com/

Do not forget that all NSIS users registered on this forum get -20% OFF on Commercial licenses!

[T.Slappy]

Hello.

We have released new versions of Visual & Installer: 1.0.5.1 and 1.0.5.2. These versions contains many important changes and new features:

Version 1.0.5.2
Release: 2022-05-19

• Support for Visual Studio 2022 17.2 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 17.2.1 (May 17, 2022))
• Support for Visual Studio 2019 16.11 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 16.11.15 (May 17, 2022))
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.9 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community), up to version 15.9.48 (May 10, 2022)
• Official support for Windows 11 (also ARM)
• Official support for electron-builder scripts (editing any electron-builder .nsi or .nsh scripts)
• New Project Property Run installer - Parameters (Parameters passed to launched installer) for both Inno Setup Projects and NSIS Projects
• Installer now supports multiple processor architectures (x86, x64, arm64, ia64) - useful when running Windows on ARM
• Installer: the Next/Install text on button with additional info is shown correctly

Version 1.0.5.1
Release: 2021-11-21

• Support for Visual Studio 2022 (version 17.0.1, November 16, 2021 - no more Preview or RC, all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community)
• Whole extension has been refactored and updated to 64 bit, currently used in Visual Studio 2022
• Support for Visual Studio 2019 16.11 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community; up to version 16.11.7 (November 16, 2021))
• Support for Visual Studio 2017 15.9 (all editions: Enterprise, Professional, Community), up to version 15.9.41 (November 09, 2021)
• Support for NSIS 3.08 (see changes)
• Support for GI for NSIS 4.11.01 (Xolka) and Graphical Installer Wizard 1.16.01 (see changes)
  
• Many changes, improvements and fixes for Visual Studio 2022:
• V&I for VS 2022 is now based on .net 4.8 - both NSIS and Inno Setup projects use the .net 4.8 (must be installed on PC)
• V&I for VS 2022: Projects are no more asked to be upgraded (this is done automatically on background)
• V&I for VS 2022: Compilers are now 64 bit - both NSIS and Inno Setup
• V&I for VS 2022: Fixed exception when displaying the Project Properties dialog
• Improved install process for x64 (VS 2022 installed together with any previous x86 IDE), updated path(s) and template file(s), improved system integration

Download free Trial and get more details on official website: http://visual-installer.com/

Do not forget that all NSIS users registered on this forum get -20% OFF on Commercial licenses!