Some people like to create their own installation executables because it looks professional and it’s just plain cool.
Windows XP has a utility called IExpress that will do just that.
Note before continuing: Yes you can do this with WinRAR and WinZIP also, however this is free and free is good. 
To Access: Start / Run / Type iexpress / Click OK
You get this:
Hit Next.
Let’s say we want to create an installer that will extract some photos to a specific part of the hard drive. We’ll select Extract files only and click Next
You get this:
I called my Package title “Rich’s Photos”. You can name yours whatever you want. Hit Next when ready to proceed.
You can opt to prompt the user with a message or not before install. I decided to put in a message. When done hit Next.
You can opt to use a text file for a license agreement if you wish. I decided not to. Hit Next
This is the part where you choose the files that will be installed. I chose 5 photos. You can add as many as you wish. Hit Next.
It’s suggested you leave this screen as Default. Hit Next.
You can have the installer display a message once completed if you wish. I decided to put one in. Hit Next when done.
On this screen you tell IExpress the path an the file name to create. I clicked Browse and set the file name as fotos.exe. Click Next when finished.
You can opt to save this whole process if you want, but since I wasn’t interested in doing that I ticked Don’t save. Hit Next when finished.
Windows XP is now ready to create your package. Click Next.
You will get a black Command Prompt window and the window above while the package is being created…
Ta-da… your package is finished. Click Finish.
On a test install of the package I just created, this is what happens:
Note on above: I had to click “Browse” to choose my desktop.
Yep, it works!
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This allows you to pin a BAT of VBS script to the start menu as a program:
http://renegadetech.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-convert-bat-file-or-vbs-file.html
Oh god, this tool is old as hell. It was available in Windows 2000. And is used as a part of Visual Studio in earlier versions.
Thanks PC MECH,
For the slight few that are aware of these hidden apps and items, there are a multitude that are not. I for one am quite pleased to know about “iexpress” and the “how to’s”. I am always interested in these apps that MS seems to hide or neglects to share with their consumers. The interesting articles in your newsletters keep me from being completely ingnorant of the forever changing. I appreciate the time you take to share with your readers, and I find the “How To’s” to be an asset that keeps me not only informed but a little more on TOP. Keep up the Great Work.
THANKS AGAIN, dj
Awesome, I didn’t know such a tool existed. If I had, I wouldn’t have wasted the time I did looking for one. O.o
Keep it up!
First google result for “windows installer creator”, thanks for sharing.