Question How the process of software installation works?

[dann999]

Hello, can you explain me, the easiest way it's possible, how exactly installation process works? How operating system, in this case Windows, handle installation, where temporary files are put, how OS cooperates with installers? Also is there any software, which trace files and their directory while installation? Thanks in advance for all your help

 

[igor_kavinski]

Install Tracker (Installation Monitor) - Uninstall Tool

crystalidea.com

That will let you track installations and also helps you uninstall in case some program leaves behind unnecessary files.

 

[TheELF]

Windows doesn't do anything to the installation other than checking for privileges and viruses/malware.
The installer has to do everything it needs to do on its own, that includes the temporary files folder, most will use the windows global temp or tmp folder but others will just use whatever they want, like nvidia drivers that just use c:\nvidia.

If this is for school or something then you need to provide more info on what the question really is.

 

[mxnerd]

If you really want to understand

Windows Installer - Win32 apps

Learn about the Windows Installer, versions 3.0 to 5.0, which is used to install applications or updates or services run on Windows.

learn.microsoft.com

Some open source installers

4 Great Tools to Create Windows Installer Packages

I’ve written a fair amount of code in my IT career and released a good number of Windows programs also, so a good tool to create Windows installer packages was always key. Each program would have a different set of needs, such as scripts, DLLs, security settings, etc., so one tool that could...

helpdeskgeek.com