ALZip Self-Extractor

Creating Self-Extracting Archives

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Creating Self-Extracting Archives (SFX / EXE)

This dialog box appears when you select ALZip Self-Extractor (EXE) from the Windows Explorer context menu or from the Actions menu in the ALZip main application window. Currently, ALZip supports creating EXE files from ALZ and ZIP files.

Click on any area of the dialog image for more information on creating self-extracting archives.

zip-sfx-self-extractor_01

File to create SFX from

Select an ALZ or ZIP file to transform into an EXE self-extractor. The full path must be entered. You can click the folder to browse to a file if you wish.

ALZip SFX Title

Choose a title for the title bar of your self-extracting archive (SFX).

Select SFX Icon

Select 1 of 4 cute ALZip icons for your self-extracting archive (SFX).

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Set default path for file extraction

Specify a target folder for the EXE to extract the files to. If you leave this option blank, files are extracted to the folder where the EXE file is located. If you use this option and the Auto-extract option is checked, the files will be automatically extracted to the specified folder without prompting the user - use with care.

For example, if you want your self-extractor to save all the files in the into a folder called C:\My Documents\sample\, either type it in, or browse to the C:\My Documents\sample\ folder. When ALZip extracts the files, if the folder does not exist, ALZip will automatically create the folder sample and extract the files.

Note that you cannot use relative paths. You must specify the full path.

Warning: The complete path and file name is limited to 255 bytes.

Command to run after extraction

A command typed in this dialog will be executed after extracting the files from the self-extractor file. It must contain a full path or be a part of the full path. You can type a command for the self-extractor file to view or execute files inside of itself.

For example, if you create a self-extractor that contains readme.txt and you want it to be viewed in Notepad when the self-extracting archive is opened, you need to type something like notepad.exe|readme.txt (Notice the pipe character - "|") or notepad.exe "readme.txt".

Warning: Characters typed into Set default path for file extraction and Command to run after extracting are limited to 255 characters.

Auto-extract

This option lets you set a self-extractor to extract its files without providing an Extract to... dialog. If you don't specify a path in the Set default path for file extraction dialog, the self-extractor extracts the files to the same folder it is located in.

Auto-delete extracted files after running

When you check this option, extracted files are deleted after running the command specified in the Command to run after extracting dialog box. This option is available only when specifying a command in the Command to run after extracting dialog box. This feature is very useful to run install.exe or setup.exe files.

For example, create an EXE file containing NOTEPAD.EXE using the ALZip Self-Extractor. Type in NOTEPAD.EXE as the Command to run after extracting. Next, specify the extraction folder and check the Auto-delete extracted files after running option. Then, click the OK button. Notepad will open when you run the archive.

Create the self-extractor.

Cancel

Cancel the ALZip Self-Extractor.

Help

Provides help on the topic.