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Installer runtime flags

Complete reference for the flags of a built installer (setup-*.exe) and of the uninstaller (uninstall.exe). For the build tool, see Builder CLI.

Installer (setup-*.exe)

setup-myapp.exe [<install-dir>] [flags]

The optional positional <install-dir> sets the target directory for --silent and --minimal runs.

FlagDescription
--silentHeadless install. Progress prints to stdout; see Install modes.
--minimalCompact self-update UI; see Install modes.
--launchLaunch the installed exe after a successful silent or minimal install.
--verifyVerify the embedded payload and signature, print a summary, and exit without installing.
--verify-install "<dir>"Re-hash an installed copy against its recorded manifest. Reports OK, MISSING, or CORRUPT per file.
--lang <code>Force the UI language, for example fr. See below.
--ignore-desktop-shortcutsDo not create desktop shortcuts, in any mode. See Shortcuts.
--ignore-start-menu-shortcutsDo not create Start Menu shortcuts, in any mode.

The installer also accepts internal, hidden flags (--elevated-worker, --run-plugin) that it passes to its own subprocesses for elevation and plugin isolation. They are not meant to be called manually.

Environment variables

VariableEffect
INSTALLWAY_PATHTarget install directory for --silent and --minimal when no positional path is given.
INSTALLWAY_LANGUI language code, used when --lang is absent.

Target directory resolution

For --silent and --minimal, the target directory is resolved in this order: the positional <install-dir> argument, then INSTALLWAY_PATH, then the folder the product was last installed to, then the build's default install directory, then %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\<product>.

Language selection

The UI language is resolved in this order: --lang, then INSTALLWAY_LANG, then the OS display language, then English. Supported languages: English (en), French (fr), Italian (it). An unsupported code falls back to English. The resolved code is passed to plugins as ctx->lang.

Uninstaller (uninstall.exe)

Normally invoked from Windows Apps. It supports:

FlagDescription
--silentSkip the confirmation dialog. This is what QuietUninstallString invokes.
--lang <code>Force the UI language, same resolution as the installer.

Like the installer, it has internal hidden flags for its elevation worker, plugin host, and second-stage cleanup. They are not meant to be called manually.

Exit codes

See Exit codes.