Hi Brynn,
it was requested by theAdib to make the default download the MSI. The reason he gave was that MSI is supposed to be the preferred installation medium for current windows installations. (so from the Windows side, not from Inkscape side) I do not know if this is correct (I'm not a Windows user), but that's why it is linked the way it is, on explicit request of the creator of the download. I also have no clue about how to use it, I guess a double-click should work.
Wikipedia has an article on the file format: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Installer
This also gives the reason in a more explicit way (with explanations in parentheses): "Microsoft encourages third parties (i.e. for example, Inkscape) to use Windows Installer as the basis for installation frameworks (the Inkscape installer), so that they synchronize correctly with other installers and keep the internal database of installed products consistent (so Windows can keep track of what's installed). Important features such as /rollback/ and /versioning/ depend on a consistent internal database for reliable operation (well, they don't work for Inkscape, AFAIK). Furthermore, Windows Installer facilitates the principle of least privilege http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_least_privilege by performing software installations by proxy for unprivileged users (I think this means you don't need amin rights to install this)."
Some web pages seem to say that it's less easy to install via MSI, if the application is installed system-wide (and not just for the current user). Instructions can be found here, for example: http://dottech.org/144073/how-to-install-or-run-msi-files-as-admin-in-window... http://www.howtogeek.com/178826/how-to-force-an-msi-package-to-install-using...
I do not know, nor can I try, if something requires Inkscape to be installed system wide, and if that workaround to add 'install as admin' to the right-click dialog is needed.
Hope this helps, regards, Maren
Am 11.06.2015 um 00:10 schrieb Brynn:
Hi Friends, I'm trying to help someone who is having trouble installing Inkscape. I still don't know exactly what they downloaded. But I notice that the big Inkscape Download icon on this page https://inkscape.org/en/download/windows/, actually downloads the MSI version or installer (I'm not sure what the right word is). I both avoid using the MSI file myself, and suggest others not to use it as well, simply because I don't know what it is or does, or how to use it. I would suggest it might be better to have the EXE attached to that icon, as the "default" download (because even brand new Windows users know how to use it). Or otherwise, give some kind of explanation for us "non-techy" types, how to use the MSI download. Maybe it was chosen because the 64-bit version doesn't have an EXE installer? And then they could both be the same? -- I'm not sure the rationalization. But I would also like to suggest that the 64-bit download attached to that big (gorgeous) icon should be the 7z version. (Or otherwise, tell us how to use the MSI.) I'm not sure if this is the intent, but by having the MSI attached to the big icons, *sort of* implies that is preferred by developers. If it is preferred for some reason, I would be curious why.
Thanks for listening :-) brynn
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