Setup stubs
The "Setup stub" is the actual installer that is included in the installation package. It is called Setup.exe when installed on the target system, but in reality it is one of several SetupXX.exe programs that are included with InstallMate. Which Setup stub is included in the installation package depends on the Installer type attribute in the active Package.
All Setup variations are capable of installing all types of applications (whether 32-bit or 64-bit), but some variations perform better than others on a given platform. However, even the 32-bit Setup variations are aware of all 64-bit issues and will install 64-bit applications correctly, including the self-registration of 64-bit DLLs. Conversely, the 64-bit Setup variation can also fully install 32-bit applications (as well as 64-bit applications).
Setup.exe variations
InstallMate includes the following Setup.exe variations:
| Installer type | Runs on | Installs | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32-bit (64-bit compatible) | 32-bit Windows XP, 2003, Vista, 7, 2008, 8, 2012, and later, and all 64-bit systems (x64, arm64, and IA64) except 64-bit WinPE editions | All types of applications, both 32-bit and 64-bit | 32-bit (x86) Windows Unicode installer. It implements all installer functionality in a 32-bit executable that runs on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows platforms. It will also detect WoW64 situations (i.e., when it runs as a 32-bit application on a 64-bit system) and handle those correctly, both for the 32-bit and the 64-bit portions of the installation, if any. Note: This Setup program is also used for IA64-only Windows NT platforms, because no IA64-specific version is available. |
| x64 Windows only | All Windows x64 systems (but not IA64 systems). It will also run on arm64 systems, but we recommend using the arm64 stub for those platforms, if possible. | All types of applications, both 32-bit and 64-bit | x64 Windows Unicode installer. It implements all installer functionality in an x64 executable that runs on x64 and arm64 Windows systems (but not on x86 or IA64 systems). It can install both 32-bit and 64-bit applications on these systems. |
| arm64 Windows only | All Windows arm64 systems (but not x64 or IA64 systems) | All types of applications, both 32-bit and 64-bit | arm64 Windows Unicode installer. It implements all installer functionality in an arm64 executable that only runs on arm64 Windows systems. It can install both 32-bit and 64-bit applications on these systems. |