Windows XP self-extracting file production process comprehensive analysis

Lin Tip: Using compressed files we can put as much data as possible in a limited space, but in the process of use will inevitably encounter such a situation: a machine because These files cannot be opened without installing the corresponding software. It’s a real mistake, but you don’t have to worry about it. Just make a self-extracting file. Regardless of whether it has the corresponding software, it is correct.

Creating a self-extracting file under Windows XP

When it comes to making self-extracting files, many friends will immediately think of some famous compression software. In fact, if your operating system is Windows XP, you don't have to worry about it, because Windows XP has already prepared a useful self-extracting file creation tool for us.

Open the "Start" menu and enter iexpress in the "Run" dialog box to open the "IExpress Wizard" interface (Figure 1).

interface of FIG. 1 IExpress Wizard FIG

1. First, the Tooltips We need to create a management file for this self-extracting file to hold information about the self-extracting program. Select "Create new Self Extraction Directive file". If the relevant information file already exists, you should select the "Open existing Self Extraction Directive file" item and use the "Browse" button to find the file.

Figure 2 compression type interface

2. Click "Next", enter the compressed file type selection interface (Figure 2). There are three options: 1Extract files and run an installation command; 2Extract files only (create a normal self-extracting file); 3Create compressed files only (create a CAB compressed file without self-extracting function) ). We should choose the second item.

3. Click “Next” to enter the “Package title” interface. Here, the program asks us to input the text displayed on the title bar of all dialog windows when the package is decompressed. You can enter it as you like.

4. If you want to use the tool to make the installer, you can fill in the prompt information and license agreement in the next "Confirmation prompt" and "License agreement" interface. Since we are making a self-extracting program, we don't have to fill it out and skip it.

5. In the "Package file" dialog, click the "Add" button to add the file to be compressed to the list box. If you want to remove a file, click the "Remove" button. After setting, click “Next” to enter the “Show Windows” interface to select the status of the program window when unpacking the package. There are four options here, Default, Hidden, Minimized, and Maximized. Select the default.

6. Select the "Display message" item in the "Finished message" interface to set an end message for your self-extracting package. Such as "the file has been successfully decompressed" and so on.

Figure 3 compression name information interface

7. Enter the "Package Name and Options" interface to enter the address and name of the compressed package (Figure 3). If you don't want to see the decompression progress bar during self-extraction, you can select the "Hidden File Extracting Progress Animation from User" item; if the package you want to create supports long file names, you can use "Store files using Long File Name inside Package". Item selected.

8. Finally, the program will prompt us to save the information entered above in the “Save Self Extraction Directive” interface, so that the next time you create a similar compression package, you will not repeat the input. Select the "Save Self Extraction Directive file" item, the program will save the information file in SED format to the folder where the compressed package is located by default. Click "Next" and wait a moment, a self-extracting file is created.

Making Volume Self-Extracting Files

Due to the limited capacity of storage media such as floppy disks, sometimes we need to compress large files into small volumes. For ease of use, we can make them. unzip files. At this time, you can use WinRAR to achieve. Methods as below.

1. Open WinRAR and select the file to be compressed by volume in the main window. Then click the "Add" button on the toolbar to bring up the "Compress File Name and Parameters" dialog box. Enter the name of the compressed file and the save path (see Figure 4).

Figure 4 Compressed File Name and Parameters Dialog Box

2. Under the "Compression Options" column, select the "Create a self-extracting format compressed file" check box.

3. Select "Best" under the "Compression Method" column, so the compression efficiency will be higher. Then select the size of the volume under "Sub-volume compression size, byte". If you are transferring files with a floppy disk, then select "1,457,664 - 3.5". Of course, you can also manually enter the size of the volume according to the actual situation. The setting is as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 set compression parameters

4. After the compression is completed, the file name "file name.part1.exe", "file name.part2.rar" will appear in the specified folder... …document. Store them separately on a floppy disk. After transferring to the destination, save the files in the same folder, and then execute the file with the extension EXE, you can extract the original file.