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Title
Silent Installer On Windows Returns Control To The Command Prompt Immediately

Summary

When launching an installer silently on Windows from the command prompt. The installer returns control to the command prompt immediately and runs in the background. The end-user then has no indication when the installer has completed.

Synopsis

When launching an installer silently on Windows from the command prompt with a command like:
install.exe -i silent

The installer returns control to the command prompt immediately and runs in the background. The end-user then has no indication when the installer has completed.

Discussion

Two separate Windows launcher types are available that behave differently when launched from a command prompt The two types of launchers and their behaviors are:

  • Graphical Launcher - This launcher spawns a separate process in which the installer runs, returning control to the command prompt immediately when launched from a console.

  • Console Launcher - This launcher will run in the same console from which it was launched.

To specify which type of launcher to build, simply choose the corresponding radio button available at the following section:
Build > Build Installers > Build Configurations > Build Targets

Note: The Create Uninstaller Action also has an "Uninstaller Type" property which can be set to either Graphical or Console Launcher and controls which type of uninstaller launcher is created.


Workaround

In order to ensure that an installer launched silently on Windows does not return control to the command prompt until the installer has completed, choose the Console Launcher type. In order to have the silent installer run in the background and return control immediately to the command prompt, select the Graphical Launcher type.

Additional Information

For more information on the Install Launcher Type property, see this HelpNet article.
For more information on Silent Installers, see this HelpNet article.

In InstallAnywhere 2011, the same configuration setting should be available at the following IDE location, in Advanced Designer mode:

Build > Configurations > Build Targets tab > Operating System section (click the + sign next to Windows to expand the operating-system node) > Windows Install Launcher Type.

In InstallAnywhere 8, 2008, 2008 Value Pack 1, 2009, or 2010 the setting should be available at the following IDE location, in Advanced Designer mode:

Project > Platforms > Windows > Install Launcher Type

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Silent Installer On Windows Returns Control To The Command Prompt Immediately