FreeExtractor

Distributing a product is best done through an intuitive installer, so the end user can easily go through steps, without encountering any compatibility issues, or wait too much to use the requested product. To create a simple, self extracting deployment package, FreeExtractor can take care of most details, in a few easy steps.

The application takes you through a wizard-driven configuration process, which makes accommodation a walk in the park for individuals of all levels of experience. Details descriptions make sure you don’t get stuck along the way, while building the new setup file takes little time.

A total of five steps is all it takes to create the self-extracting archive. The first is where you get to specify the source of the whole operation, which needs to be a ZIP file. Luckily, there’s a default Windows feature you can use to bundle your project into a ZIP archive if it’s not already in this state. The output field is automatically filled in, but can’t be changed on the spot.

General information needs to be included, with dedicated fields for archive name, which is what also appears in the title bar, website address under the form of a clickable link, and introduction message, which can even be a disclaimer message, or copyright information. All of these details appear in the first few steps of the newly-created setup file.

The end user can benefit from even more comfort if you decide to have data automatically extracted to the default path. This location can be specified using custom filters, with an option to have it opened when done to provide quick access to the executable.

An additional shortcut command can be inserted to have a shortcut placed on the desktop when done. Last but not least, an icon file can be selected, just to give a bit more personality to the new file.

In conclusion, the first impression of a product makes up for half the effort of being convinced of its potential. The same goes for computer programs, and FreeExtractor is a simple, yet efficient tool you can use to create an intuitive, wizard driven deployment package for your new products.