DownloadSquirrel is both a set of tools and a library, to completely manage both installation and updating your Desktop Windows application, written in either C# or any other language (i.e., Squirrel can manage native C++ applications). Squirrel uses NuGet packages to create installation and update packages, which means that you probably already know most of what you need to create an installer. Windows apps should be as fast and as easy to install and update as apps like Google Chrome. From an app developer's side, it should be really straightforward to create an installer for my app, and publish updates to it, without having to jump through insane hoops. Refer to our full list of goals for integrating, packaging, distributing, installing, and updating. See Contributing for additional information on building and contributing to Squirrel.
Features
- Integrating an app to use Squirrel should be extremely easy, provide a client API, and be developer friendly
- Packaging is really easy, can be automated, and supports delta update packages
- Distributing should be straightforward, use simple HTTP updates, and provide multiple "channels" (a-la Chrome Dev/Beta/Release)
- Installing is Wizard-Free™, with no UAC dialogs, does not require reboot, and is .NET Framework friendly
- Updating is in the background, doesn't interrupt the user, and does not require a reboot
- Squirrel uses NuGet packages to create installation and update packages