PowerArchiver Self-Extractor

Overview

Introduction

PowerArchiver Self-Extractor is included with PowerArchiver. It creates self-extracting files from ZIP, CAB, 7-Zip archives and PAE encrypted files. It is very useful for sending files to those who do not have PowerArchiver installed.

More About Self-Extracting Files

A self-extracting file (SFX) is an executable program file (.EXE file) that includes an archive and small software code (between 50kb and 150kb) used to extract the archive. The user does not need to have PowerArchiver installed in order to run a self-extracting file, as it is run just like any other executable.

When a self-extracting file is run by the user, it displays a dialog box to allow the user to select the “Extract To” folder by using a browse button or by typing in the destination folder name manually into the field. Users can also select several other options, including which files to extract and whether or not to overwrite existing files.

PowerArchiver self-extracting files may be distributed royalty free.

Create an SFX Archive

There are several ways in which to create SFX archives in PowerArchiver:

  • SFX Wizard - is a powerful and easy to use tool for creating SFX archives. ZIP, 7-Zip and CAB formats are supported. This wizard is recommended if you do not want to convert an existing archive to an SFX archive, but instead want to create new one.

  • Make .EXE - appears in the “Actions” menu of PowerArchiver when any of the supported archive types are opened (ZIP, CAB, 7-Zip and PAE). You can convert any of these archives to SFX with one simple step.

  • Encrypt File (PAE) - you can create PAE encrypted SFX archives by using Encrypt tool.

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Advanced Options

  • Advanced Extract Path Options - see advanced options for the extraction path (ZIP, 7-Zip and CAB SFX).

  • SFX Runtime Command Line Options - check PowerArchiver's SFX command line options (ZIP, 7-Zip and CAB SFX).

Advanced Extraction Path Options

Introduction

PowerArchiver's ZIP and CAB SFX archives can have predefined advanced options for the Extraction Path (or “Default UnZip To folder”). They come particularly handy if you are going to use our SFX's for software installations.

Predefined extraction paths can be entered in either the Make SFX or SFX Wizard “Default UnZip To folder” field.

Extraction Path Options

Constant Description Typical or Example Path

  • %temp% User's temporary folder C:\WINDOWS\TEMP

  • %temp-unique% A unique temporary folder C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\~SFX345A

  • %win% Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS

  • %winsys% Windows System Files Directory C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM

  • %PROG% Program Files Folder C:\Program Files

  • %DOCS% User's documents folder C:\My Documents

  • %DESKTOP% User's Desktop Folder C:\Windows\Desktop

  • %FONTS% Fonts Folder C:\Windows\Fonts

You can also use registry entries. In this case, use the pipe symbol ( | ) to create sub-folders.

Examples

Default UnZip To folder: %prog%\PowerArchiver\Skins Typically: C:\Program Files\PowerArchiver\Skins Default UnZip To folder: %temp%\~test Typically: C:\Windows\Temp\~test)

Default UnZip To folder: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CommonFilesDir|MySoftware Typically: C:\Program Files\Common Files\MySoftware

Important information on using "run command line after extract" option

In case you are using advanced extraction path option together with run command line after extracting option, you will need to use special ”{p}” option in the run command line after extracting field so you can tell PowerArchiver SFX where to find extracted files.

Example

Default UnZip To folder: %temp-unique% Run Command Line: setup.exe Explanation: These options will run setup.exe from temporary path noted above.

More Information

You can find out more information about SFX archives in the SFX overview section.

Runtime Command Line Options

PowerArchiver's ZIP and CAB SFX archives can be controlled from the command line. This allows them to be run in batch installs, making it easier for network administrators and power users.

Summary of the command line options

  • ? - Shows help for the command-line options

  • a - Automatically extract the contents of the file without prompting

  • x - Don't run the command-line after extraction

  • s - Silent Operation. There will be no prompting (except for passwords) and all target files will be overwritten.

  • q - Confirm overwriting existing files

  • o - Always overwrite existing files

  • n - Never overwrite existing files

  • d dir - Extract to directory dir

  • - Pass any reminding command-line options on to the post-extraction command-line

Proceed options with either a forward-slash (/) or a dash (-) e.g. /a or -a.

More Information

You can find out more information about SFX archives in the SFX overview section.

Compiled from the official PowerArchiver Wiki (https://wiki.powerarchiver.com/)