====== 43 Installers ======

First, to generate an Installer an already built Application (EXE) is required. The Installer access the application to gather information about the containing VIs and required dependencies. 

<note tip>If the application needs some additional files like config-files, these files are not needed in the Application build spec. These files will be added by the Installer build spec.</note>


===== Install properties =====

An elaborated description of all properties is available here: https://zone.ni.com/reference/en-XX/help/371361R-01/lvdialog/installer_tab_windows/


==== Destinations ====

In this tab you have to decide where to install your files. The default destination is ''[Program Files]'' (''c:\Program Files (x86)\''). This is fine for many applications but has the downside that the application has (executed //without// admin rights) no write permissions for the files in this location. That means it's necessary to store writeable config-files or log-files in a different location.

Under Windows the preferred location for apps and files which need full user permissions is a folder under ''c:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local''. Unfortunately the Destination Tab has no predefined destination for this, luckily it supports the definition of [[https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/msi/property-reference|Microsoft MSI Properties]] ([[https://docs.revenera.com/installshield24helplib/helplibrary/IHelpISXFilesDestinations.htm|better overview for folder properties]]).

To install files in the users AppData-folder you have to add new properties by clicking the button ''Add property'' and give it the property ''LocalAppDataFolder''. Then you can create sub-folders under the new base location. 

<note tip>If you mark your new install directory as //"default installation directory"// then it will be displayed in the installation program as the default installation path.</note>

{{:kb:labview:installer_-_destinations.png?direct&400|}}


==== Source Files ====

Here you have to assign your application files to the location(s) defined before. 

<note tip>You can not assign a whole directories to a location. You have to create all directories in the Destination tab and then assign every single file into the desired folder.</note>