InstallShield installer archive

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File Format
Name InstallShield installer archive
Ontology
Extension(s) .ex_

InstallShield installer archive is what we're calling the format of the _inst32i.ex_ file included in many Windows software distributions that use the InstallShield installation software. Another filename used by the format is _inst16.ex_. Rarely, filenames _inst32a.ex_ (related to Windows NT for DEC Alpha) and _inst32m.ex_ (MIPS) may be found.

It uses PKWARE DCL Implode compression.

Contents

Disambiguation

It is not to be confused with InstallShield CAB, InstallShield Z, or MS-DOS installation compression.

Discussion

Based on unconfirmed information, the 16-bit setup.exe program detects the user's platform, and extracts the appropriate platform-specific installer programs from (e.g.) _inst32i.ex_.

Identification

Files begin with bytes 2a ab 79 d8.

At offset 8 is the message "Copyright (c) 1990-1995 Stirling Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserve".

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Sample files

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