How to Create a Self-Extracting EXE
Using Chilkat Zip ActiveX Compression v9.4.0

Chilkat Zip v9.4.0 provides a new method, WriteExe, that makes it easy to create a self-extracting EXE. You can create an EXE with or without AES (Rijndael) encryption. If your self-extracting EXE is encrypted, it can be 128-bit, 192-bit, or 256-bit AES. There is also the option of designating an auto-run executable within your Zip to be run after the self-extracting EXE is unzipped. And finally, you can create EXEs that automatically unzip to a system-chosen and created temp directory when the EXE is double clicked. Using the "AutoTemp" property in combination with the "AutoRun" property makes it easy to create single-click installers.

Here are some VB examples demonstrating how to use WriteExe, AutoRun, and AutoTemp.

' Create a Simple Self-Extracting EXE
Private Sub Command1_Click()
    Dim zip As ChilkatZip
    Set zip = New ChilkatZip
    zip.UnlockComponent "22540E510A3140"
    zip.NewZip "notUsed.zip"
    zip.AppendFiles "Sample/*", 1
    zip.WriteExe "sample.exe"
    zip.SaveXmlLog "log.xml"
End Sub

' Create an AES Encrypted Self-Extracting EXE
Private Sub Command2_Click()
    Dim zip As ChilkatZip
    Set zip = New ChilkatZip
    zip.UnlockComponent "22540E510A3140"
    zip.NewZip "notUsed.zip"
    zip.AppendFiles "Sample/*", 1
    ' Setting encryption to non-zero causes Rijndael AES encryption to
    ' be used in the self-extracting EXE.
    zip.Encryption = 1
    ' Key lengths can be 128, 192, or 256
    zip.EncryptKeyLength = 256
    zip.SetPassword "chilkat"
    zip.WriteExe "encrypted.exe"
    zip.SaveXmlLog "log.xml"
End Sub

' Create an Auto-Run Self-Extracting EXE
Private Sub Command3_Click()
    Dim zip As ChilkatZip
    Set zip = New ChilkatZip
    zip.UnlockComponent "22540E510A3140"
    
    ' AutoTemp and AutoRun control what kind of self-extracting EXE
    ' is created.  If AutoRun is set, the EXE will automatically
    ' run the specified EXE after unzipping.  If AutoTemp is 1
    ' the self-extracted EXE will automatically unzip to a TEMP
    ' directory when double-clicked.
    zip.AutoTemp = 1
    zip.AutoRun = "Sample\Setup.exe"
    
    zip.NewZip "notUsed.zip"
    zip.AppendFiles "Sample/*", 1
    zip.WriteExe "autoRun.exe"
    zip.SaveXmlLog "log.xml"
End Sub

' Create an Auto-Run AES Encrypted Self-Extracting EXE
Private Sub Command4_Click()
    Dim zip As ChilkatZip
    Set zip = New ChilkatZip
    zip.UnlockComponent "22540E510A3140"
    
    ' AutoTemp and AutoRun control what kind of self-extracting EXE
    ' is created.  If AutoRun is set, the EXE will automatically
    ' run the specified EXE after unzipping.  If AutoTemp is 1
    ' the self-extracted EXE will automatically unzip to a TEMP
    ' directory when double-clicked.
    zip.AutoTemp = 1
    zip.AutoRun = "Sample\Setup.exe"
    
    zip.NewZip "notUsed.zip"
    zip.AppendFiles "Sample/*", 1
    ' Setting encryption to non-zero causes Rijndael AES encryption to
    ' be used in the self-extracting EXE.
    zip.Encryption = 1
    ' Key lengths can be 128, 192, or 256
    zip.EncryptKeyLength = 256
    zip.SetPassword "chilkat"
    zip.WriteExe "encryptedAutoRun.exe"
    zip.SaveXmlLog "log.xml"
End Sub