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RoboSetup Manual

RoboSetup is a program that you can use to create CDs/DVDs with automatically installed software.

You can create a universal disk with the distribution packages of the necessary software that can be installed without the user's attendance (all software or separate programs)! RoboSetup carries out automatic installation:

  • starts installers one by one,
  • clicks Next, Yes and other buttons,
  • selects checkboxes, such as I Agree...,
  • selects radio buttons,
  • selects items from drop-down lists,
  • enters serial numbers, if necessary,
  • executes system commands,
  • records and reproduces the user's actions,
  • uses special installer options for silent installation (silent keys).

There are three automatic installation methods available in RoboSetup:

  1. Automatically searching for and processing user interface elements in the installer.
  2. Recording and then reproducing the user's actions performed in the installer.
  3. Applying the silent installation key (silent key) supported by the installer.
RoboSetup consists of two parts: administrator and user.

The disk compiler uses the administrator part to specify all necessary parameters for each installer.

The user part looks like a stylish autorun tool where you can select the software you need and automatically install it.

RoboSetup helps users cope even with the most complicated software installation because the sequence of actions is predefined by the disk compiler.

Unattended Installation

Perform a sequence of actions

RoboSetup can record the user's actions. It means that you will not have to manually enter the labels of buttons/checkboxes/radio buttons, etc. while creating an algorithm for installing some program.

Just move the mouse pointer to the necessary button (checkbox, radio button, etc.) and it will be automatically added to the algorithm of the software installation.

And you can always edit the algorithm in the action editor. For example, delete unnecessary accidental clicks.

To add actions, just move the mouse pointer to the necessary button and press the Ctrl key on the keyboard. The "Click Button" action will be automatically added to the algorithm. All added actions will be displayed in the list in the window. At the same time, you will see a hint with the name of the button being added next to the mouse pointer.

Reproduce the user's actions

The second method of automatic installation comes down to all actions the user does during installation being reproduced exactly. Just install the software in a regular way and RoboSetup will save all your actions, such as:
  • mouse moves and clicks,
  • entering data from the keyboard,
  • using keyboard hotkeys.

After the record is made, you can reproduce everything you have done.

Silent installation keys (silent keys)

Each program before it is distributed is packed into an installer. RoboSetup allowing you to speed up installation many times is used to work with these installers.

There are several types of installers. Here are some of them:

  • InstallShield
  • Inno Setup
  • WISE Installer
  • NullSoft Installer
    and a lot more.
Different silent installation keys are specified for each of these installers. There are also installers that do not have such keys. In this case, it is possible to automate installation only with RoboSetup.

The developers of installation-authoring tools do not explicitly specify their silent installation keys so you have to guess them. For example, the following keys work with an installer of the Inno Setup type: /silent or /verysilent.

To correctly specify a silent key for some installer, you have to know its type because a key for an installer of one type does not suit an installer of another type.

In case you specify an invalid silent key, the installer will just run in a regular way. You can close it and try another silent key from the list.

To be able to work with silent keys in RoboSetup, you should switch to the Install tab of the main window and select the Apply the automatic installation key radio button.

If you fail to find the right key, use the main RoboSetup mode, i.e. the emulation of the user's actions. To do it, you should specify the sequence of actions and record your own actions during installation.

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