Stage 2: Specify custom Active Setup components

You can add up to 10 custom components that your users can install at the same time that they install the browser. These components can be self-extracting executable (.exe) files or compressed cabinet (.cab) files.

It is recommended that you sign any custom code. Code-signing lets users know they can trust your code before downloading it to their computers. The default settings in Internet Explorer will reject unsigned code.

Component
Enter the name of your component in this box. This name will appear in the setup screen when users install your software.

Location
Type the path to your program or click Browse to search for it.

Command
If you specify a .cab file, you must also specify a command to run.

GUID
If your program already has a globally unique identifier, or GUID, type it in this box. If your program doesn't have a GUID, then click Generate to assign a GUID. A GUID establishes a unique identity for programs, objects, and other items.

Parameter
You can specify any switches to run with your program.

Size
Type the size (in KB) of your program.

Version
The version number helps you track versions of your program and ensure that the latest version is installed.

Uninstall Key
This is the registry entry, or key, for your uninstall program. Registering your uninstall program enables users to remove your program by clicking the Add/Remove Programs icon in Control Panel. To register your uninstall program, add the entries for your application to the Uninstall subkey.

HKEY_LOCAL_computer\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Uninstall\ApplicationName\UninstallString

Both the DISPLAYNAME and UNINSTALLSTRING values must be supplied and be complete for your uninstall program to appear in Control Panel. The path you supply to UninstallString must be the complete command line used to carry out your uninstall program. The command line you supply should carry out the uninstall program directly rather than from a batch file or subprocess.

Verify
Programs installed over the Internet typically need "digital signatures" that identify their source and guarantee that the code hasn't changed since it was signed. Depending on browser safety settings, users can be warned before the program is downloaded. Certificate authorities can supply public and private keys needed to sign code. To determine whether the program has been digitally signed, click Verify.

For general up-to-date information about code signing, see the Microsoft Web site.

Tip
Tools for building .cab files and creating Internet (IExpress) Express scripts are included in the IEAK. Additional tools are available in the Microsoft Internet Client SDK. For more general information about Setup technology, see Internet Explorer 4.0 (Active) Setup.