Windows installer (Setup.exe) alongside the zip #168

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opened 2026-09-29 08:55:48 +00:00 by sky_line · 1 comment

sky_line commented

2026-09-29 08:55:48 +00:00

Owner

Windows users currently get a zip they have to extract themselves: no Start menu entry, no uninstaller, and they have to find the folder again for every update.

Proposal

Build an NSIS installer in the Windows cross-build (makensis runs natively on Linux, so it fits the clang-cl/xwin pipeline; the inherited Alchemy Inno Setup script needs Windows or Wine).

Per-user install, no admin prompt: default location %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Slipstream, and the directory can be changed.
Shortcuts: Start menu, plus an optional desktop shortcut.
Uninstaller: registered in Apps & features (HKCU). It removes the program files and shortcuts, and keeps %APPDATA%\SlipstreamViewer (settings, chat logs) unless the user ticks "also remove my settings and chat logs".
Upgrades: installing a newer build over an older one replaces the program files in place, with no uninstall needed.
Optional SLURL handler: register secondlife:// / x-grid-location-info:// links. Off by default, so it doesn't take the handler away from another viewer.
Release asset: Slipstream_<ver>_Setup.exe is published in addition to _win64.zip, because the website's download buttons HEAD-check the zip.

CI

scripts/wincross/build.sh builds the installer when makensis is available and skips it with a notice otherwise. The release job publishes the exe when it exists. applejack needs apt install nsis.

The installer is unsigned, like the zip (SmartScreen: More info > Run anyway). Code signing would be a separate ticket.

Windows users currently get a zip they have to extract themselves: no Start menu entry, no uninstaller, and they have to find the folder again for every update. ## Proposal Build an NSIS installer in the Windows cross-build (`makensis` runs natively on Linux, so it fits the clang-cl/xwin pipeline; the inherited Alchemy Inno Setup script needs Windows or Wine). - **Per-user install, no admin prompt:** default location `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Slipstream`, and the directory can be changed. - **Shortcuts:** Start menu, plus an optional desktop shortcut. - **Uninstaller:** registered in *Apps & features* (HKCU). It removes the program files and shortcuts, and keeps `%APPDATA%\SlipstreamViewer` (settings, chat logs) unless the user ticks "also remove my settings and chat logs". - **Upgrades:** installing a newer build over an older one replaces the program files in place, with no uninstall needed. - **Optional SLURL handler:** register `secondlife://` / `x-grid-location-info://` links. Off by default, so it doesn't take the handler away from another viewer. - **Release asset:** `Slipstream_<ver>_Setup.exe` is published *in addition to* `_win64.zip`, because the website's download buttons HEAD-check the zip. ## CI `scripts/wincross/build.sh` builds the installer when `makensis` is available and skips it with a notice otherwise. The release job publishes the exe when it exists. applejack needs `apt install nsis`. The installer is unsigned, like the zip (SmartScreen: More info > Run anyway). Code signing would be a separate ticket.

sky_line referenced this issue from a commit

2026-09-29 16:13:41 +00:00

Windows installer (NSIS), published beside the zip

sky_line commented

2026-09-30 06:19:49 +00:00

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Owner

Done: CI builds an NSIS Setup.exe next to the zip, and every release since beta.8 ships Slipstream_*_Setup.exe.

sky_line closed this issue

2026-09-30 06:19:49 +00:00

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sky_line/Slipstream#168

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