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Install files

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by Fhjull Forked-Tongue, Sep 7, 2005.

  1. Fhjull Forked-Tongue Gems: 2/31
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    Remove all ads!
    Does anyone know of a way to explore or look at an install file?
    maybe even extract the contents of it and make it executable without installing?
     
    Fhjull Forked-Tongue, Sep 7, 2005
    #1

  2. nightwood Gems: 4/31
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    What do you exactly mean with "install file" ?? A .inf-file, a straight binary .exe or a self-extracting .exe ??
    If it's the last one you can always try to open it manually with a good packing program.

    Why do you want to execute a program you don't want to install ?
     
    nightwood, Sep 7, 2005
    #2

  3. Fhjull Forked-Tongue Gems: 2/31
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    Well, the reasons I am curious, are 1)Just to see if it can be done. 2)To avoid what I call garbage files from being put on my system

    Example: Lets say I download some simple utility, but when I download it it's a setup application that will install the executable file and a bunch of garbage files on my computer.
    I would like to know if there is a way to just extract the executable file from the installer rather than install this "package"

    When you say I could use a good packing program, what do you mean? What is a good packing program to use?
     
    Fhjull Forked-Tongue, Sep 7, 2005
    #3

  4. nightwood Gems: 4/31
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    aaaaahm, well ... you know, in order to run properly a program needs more files than the actual executable. take for example games - you have an executable but all the data (graphics, areas, whatever) is stored in separate files.
    and for anyone but an absolute crack it's hard to tell whether a file is "garbage" or absolutely necessary

    i'd recommend to install any program the way it's meant to be installed ... and if you are not sure what is all included in the program and think it could be unsafe... don't install it
     
    nightwood, Sep 7, 2005
    #4
  5. Taza

    Taza Weird Modmaker Veteran

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    Separating "garbage" files isn't really that hard.

    WinRar should be (FilZip definately is) able to open a self-extracting zip that is in exe form, but unfortunately I don't know a way for install files. Besides, what works for one probably doesn't work for another using a different install system.
     
    Taza, Sep 7, 2005
    #5

  6. Fhjull Forked-Tongue Gems: 2/31
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    OK thanks
     
    Fhjull Forked-Tongue, Sep 8, 2005
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