Using the iscc Command for Inno Setup Installers (with examples)

1: Compiling an Inno Setup script

The iscc command is used to compile Inno Setup scripts into a Windows installer executable. To compile an Inno Setup script, you can use the following command:

iscc path\to\file.iss

Motivation for Using this Example

Compiling an Inno Setup script is the most basic use case of the iscc command. This example is useful when you have made changes to your Inno Setup script and want to compile it into an installer executable.

Explanation of Arguments

• path\to\file.iss: This is the path to the Inno Setup script file that you want to compile. Replace 'path\to\file.iss' with the actual path to your script file.

Example Output

Compiling an Inno Setup script using the iscc command will generate an installer executable file based on the script. The output file will be located in the same directory as your script file.

2: Quietly compiling an Inno Setup installer

To compile an Inno Setup installer quietly, without displaying any output during the compilation process, you can use the following command:

iscc /Q path\to\file.iss

Motivation for Using this Example

Quietly compiling an Inno Setup installer can be helpful when you are running the compilation process automatically on a server or in a batch script, and don’t want any unnecessary output cluttering the console or log files.

Explanation of Arguments

• /Q: This argument stands for “quiet” and tells the iscc command to run silently without displaying any output during the compilation process.
• path\to\file.iss: This is the path to the Inno Setup script file that you want to compile. Replace 'path\to\file.iss' with the actual path to your script file.

Example Output

When using the /Q argument, the iscc command will run silently without any output displayed in the console. The compilation process will still generate an installer executable file.

Using command …3: Compile a signed Inno Setup installer

You can also compile a signed Inno Setup installer by providing additional command arguments to the iscc command. The following command example demonstrates how to do this:

iscc /S=name=command path\to\file.iss

Motivation for Using this Example

Compiling signed Inno Setup installers allows you to provide a higher level of trust to users when they run your installers. This is especially important for users who may be concerned about the security and authenticity of the installation package.

Explanation of Arguments

• /S=name=command: The /S argument allows you to specify signing options for the installer. name refers to the name of your code signing certificate, and command refers to the command-line signing tool and its arguments.
• path\to\file.iss: This is the path to the Inno Setup script file that you want to compile. Replace 'path\to\file.iss' with the actual path to your script file.

Example Output

When compiling a signed Inno Setup installer, the iscc command will sign the generated installer executable using the specified signing options. The output will be an installer executable file that is signed with the provided certificate.