Software updates & prefs on windows

[ragdollsoft]

I was wondering how you guys handle new versions of your software.
Does your installer handle things if user has already an older version of the software? Or do you require uninstall before?

I'm looking into innosetup as installer, is it possible to make it handle updates? (I would just need to replace the game folder really).

Another thing, as for user preferences, where do you keep the preferences saved? A local file in the app folder? The register? A file somewhere else?

Thanks.

[Icebreaker]

Yes, Inno setup supports plugins as well, so you can just write an updater the way you want, then use it.

[GaiaDreamCreation]

I use InnoSetup too. In the installation, I place a note suggesting to people to uninstall any previous version before. Ideally, I would be looking for a solution that would handle the uninstallation automatically.

[nrasool]

Hi there, You need to use AppID for this.

Have a look at the following FAQ from Inno Setup FAQ

When I install a new version of my application without uninstalling the old version first, I get a second entry in Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs.

This happens when you change AppId between versions, or if AppId is not specified, AppName. If you do that, Setup has no way of knowing that the two versions are of the same application, and thus will create a new entry in Add/Remove Programs. Additionally, a new uninstall log file (unins???.dat) will be created. The obvious solution for this is to not change AppId or AppName.

If you must change AppName in a new version, set AppId to the value of AppId or AppName from the previous version.

The following is a great tutorial:
http://www.gimlisys.com/articles-innosetup.html

[ragdollsoft]

Neat, apparently innosetup replaces the old folder overwriting different files.

As for saving preferences, on the mac cocoa uses property lists to store prefs, which is a nice system.

For windows what's the usual thing to do? xml? Saved where?

Thanks.