IsWiX

IsWiX, or Industrial Strength Windows Installer XML is a reliable tool that can help you with authoring Windows Installers. The application allows you to analyze each component of the current project, manage features, properties and namespaces.

IsWiX allows you to easily manage installer packages for Windows, in WiX and MSI formats. It can be used as a standalone application, but it can also be used as a collection of templates in Visual Studio. The program facilitates the code authoring, with the help of the graphic designer tools.

The application can also work as a document editor, based on the Fireworks Application Framework. Through IsWiX, developers who prefer to build non-setup programs are offered the means to collaborate with setup producers.

As a standalone program, IsWiX is simple to use and features an intuitive interface. It allows you to easily generate new WiX fragments, MergeModules or Product files.

IsWiX can create fragment, module and product files, all saved in WXS format, plus it allows you to edit them as well. Each project can be configured by adding new features, properties or namespaces and subsidiary objects.

The three divisions on the IsWiX’s interface allows you to easily access the objects’ list and view their properties. You can create new features and sub-features, as well as edit or organize them with ease.

Regarding the project’s properties, you may add as many entries as you wish, specify their IDs, values and attributes: hidden, secure, suppresses modularization or needs admin rights.

IsWiX allows you to pick the namespaces for each project, in other words create associations with various file types. The XML Editor consists of the code editing area and the console which displays the success and errors that occur during the authoring. The program is simple to use, features a neat interface and clear commands.