Introduction to Paquet Builder¶

Paquet Builder ("PB") is a mix between a 7-Zip Self-Extracting file archive maker, and an advanced installer software or Setup routine generator.

Featuring powerful and versatile options, it can output several types of compact Self-Extractors for professional file and software delivery.

With light theme:

With dark theme:

Beginners can create ready-to-deliver packages in minutes, without requiring any additional knowledge.

Lots of features¶

Advanced users can optionally go further since you may also:

• customize the entire behavior and look of your packages from A to Z.

• create standard or Windows wizard-styled packages and change any detail of your package's design: icon, splash screen, dialogs, billboards, version info...

• organize your files into components, set destination paths, ask end users which components to install, add conditions to file extraction.

• add custom actions and configure them visually to do what you want: prompt users; detect system configuration; create shortcuts; read/write Windows registry keys, XML documents (nodes and attributes), .ini files; modify file properties; work with variables; use If/Then/Else conditionals; display additional dialogs such as readme, license agreement, message boxes, information panel with variables; execute program and document files; run Windows Installer MSI or MSP files, check for running process...

• build 32-bit and 64-bit (x64) packages that can install 64-bit applications or access 64-bit Windows registry.

• make multi-language packages with full UNICODE and right-to-left language support for international distribution.

• password protect and digitally code sign your packages (SHA256, dual SHA1-SHA2 Authenticode signing) with your Code Signing Certificate to increase the security of your files.

• protect your packages against truncated or corrupted downloads with integrity and size checks.

• save bandwidth: create compact packages thanks to the efficient 7-Zip file compression and full support for LZMA2, BCJ2, PPMD and multithreaded compression.

• convert existing 7z archives to SFX in some clicks.

• make multi-volume archives easily.

• include uninstallers to remove changes performed by your packages.

• automate the creation of customized packages thanks to batch processing, inclusion and exclusion file masks, automatic source file list updates, directives and projects in XML format.

• use C code extensions and plugins.

• cron jobs supported thanks to the portable console command-line compiler.

• 64-bit and 32-bit editions available.

• and much more!

Fast and powerful installer¶

All of these features remain optional, i.e. you do not need to configure them in order to build your packages. Creating a simple package actually takes less than one minute: start a new project, add files and press Build, that's all. Then you can always modify the other options if you want later.

No scripting is required, everything is done visually; the interface is logically organized, stepping you through the natural stages of the creation process. At any time, if you need help about a given feature, just press F1 to display the associated help topic or visit our forum to post your questions.

Getting started

See tutorials online for Paquet Builder.