Editing Installation (computer programs) (section)

===Common types===
{{Main|List of installation software}}
Cross-platform installer builders produce installers that run on Windows, [[macOS]] and [[Linux]]. An example is [[InstallAnywhere]] by [[Flexera Software]], which is based on [[Java (programming language)|Java]].  An instance of native code is InstallAware Multi Platform by InstallAware Software, featuring build toolchains and a setup engine that runs without dependencies; it can also switch to console mode if a [[graphical user interface]] (GUI) cannot be displayed on Linux.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sdtimes.com/software-development/installaware-improves-ides-visual-designers-and-setup-engine-in-multi-platform-beta-4/|title=InstallAware improves IDE’s visual designers and setup engine in Multi Platform Beta 4|website=[[Software Development Times]]|author-first=Jakub|date=18 April 2023|author-last=Lewkowicz|access-date=17 June 2024}}</ref>

[[Windows NT family]] includes an installation [[API]] and an associated service called [[Windows Installer]]. [[Microsoft]] provides a minimum level of tools required to create installers using Windows Installer in the freely available [[Windows SDK]], instead focusing on the API to allow developers and third parties to leverage it in creating custom installers. Third-party tools may supporting create installers using this API to speed the process. Examples include [[InstallShield]] ([[Flexera Software]]) and [[WiX]] ([[Outercurve Foundation]]). Installation authoring tools that do not rely on Windows Installer include [[Wise Solutions, Inc.#Wise Installation Studio 7|Wise Installation Studio]] ([[Wise Solutions, Inc.]]), [[Installer VISE]] (MindVision Software), Visual Installer (SamLogic), [[Nullsoft Scriptable Install System|NSIS]], [[Clickteam]], [[InnoSetup]] and InstallSimple. InstallAware for Windows Installer features a hybrid installation engine, whereby a setup may be executed using either the Windows Installer APIs, or directly through InstallAware's native code setup engine. This hybrid engine also provides the capability to switch installation modes at runtime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sdtimes.com/installaware/new-installaware-x15-with-context-menu-bridge-for-windows-11/|title=New InstallAware X15 with Context Menu Bridge for Windows 11|date=21 March 2022|website=[[Software Development Times]]|location=[[San Francisco]], CA|access-date=17 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/five-apps-for-creating-installation-packages/|title=Five apps for creating installation packages|website=[[TechRepublic]]|author-first=Matthew|author-last=Nawrocki|date=21 June 2013|access-date=17 June 2024}}</ref>

macOS includes [[Installer (macOS)|Installer]], a native [[package manager]]. macOS also includes a separate software updating application, [[Apple Software Update|Software Update]], that only supports Apple and system software. Included in the [[Dock (macOS)|Dock]] as of 10.6.6, and also in the [[Apple menu]], the [[Mac App Store]] shares many attributes with the successful [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]] for iOS devices, such as a similar app approval process, the use of Apple ID for purchases, and automatic installation and updating. Although the App Store is Apple's preferred delivery method for macOS apps,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/mac/app-store/great-mac-apps.html|title=macOS - What is macOS|website=Apple|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> previously purchased licenses cannot be transferred to the Mac App Store for downloading or automatic updating. Instead of an installer, many macOS applications distributed outside the Mac App Store use an [[Apple Disk Image]] (.dmg file) that contains an [[application bundle]] to be [[drag-and-drop|dragged and dropped]] into the Applications folder; those applications are described as drag-install applications. These often feature prominent installation instructions and a shortcut to the Applications folder; that style of drag-install application was invented and published by Iris Artin (formerly Ben Artin) during the development of [[Fetch (FTP client)|Fetch 5]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/09/02/easy-access-to-application-folder-from-a-disk.html|title= Easy Access to the Applications Folder from a Disk Image|website=Mac Dev Center|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20051214033213/http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/09/02/easy-access-to-application-folder-from-a-disk.html|access-date=23 November 2023|archive-date= 2005-12-14}}</ref> and subsequently gained wide adoption. Commercial applications for macOS may also use a third-party installer, such as the Mac version of [[Installer VISE]] (MindVision Software) or InstallerMaker ([[StuffIt]]).