Setup Builder Starter comes loaded with advanced features which allows you to perform complex tasks when it comes to building setup packages. In addition to including your software files in the setup kits, you can specify which registry entries will be added or modified on the target computer, along with other details.

The setup procedure may take a while to finish and it offers to make file associations. As far as the interface is concerned, SetupBuilder is truly professional. Its main window has a neatly organized structure that gives you the possibility to easily configure settings.

It is possible to start a new project that is empty, a template, or blank script. After specifying the name and saving location, you can go through a simple wizard that requires company and application general details, whether you want a License Agreement dialog displayed or not, or if you want to prompt users to enter their company name and user name.

From this point on, you can navigate directories to select the files and folders you want to import into the setup kit and also apply filters with file extensions. Other installation details concern shortcuts created in the Start and Send To menu, desktop and quick launch bar, registry entries, INI files, file extensions associated, ODBC drivers, as well as other programs to launch.

As far as looks is concerned, you can personalize the setup kit when it comes to each dialog, like the welcome screen, license agreement, and finish panel. It is possible to edit text (title, heading, subheading, description, install to prompt), the browse dialog, dialog label, and comments. Alterations may also be made to text and messages when it comes to buttons, captions, errors, progress, the uninstaller, and so on.

SetupBuilder Starter also lets you point out the resources necessary for the installation to run, such as system hardware, user privileges (administrative rights) and software requirements (e.g. a specific .NET Framework version). Support files may be added from external DLL or EXE.

Before compiling the setup, you can review the script and make any adjustments, add comments and include variables and functions. The project can be tested and debugged. Once compiled, the installer can be distributed via a FTP server.

As far as stability goes, SetupBuilder Starter worked smoothly during our evaluation, without hanging, crashing or popping up error messages. It is filled with numerous settings for building application installers and should come in handy to all software developers.