Legacy Software Installers’ Hidden Risks and How to Migrate Them

When creating and virtualizing application packages — with agile or traditional development teams and processes, whether as a standalone offering or complex suite — how the software is applied into an environment and regularly updated is mission-critical. But too often, developers consider installation only as an afterthought. Common misconceptions include:

1. I don’t need to do anything – any issue will solve itself.
   In the tight timelines of creating software, it’s easy to overlook the consideration of “will the software update.” The tendency to assume everything will be fine is common. In reality, developers must proactively ensure their software product can be maintained successfully. Customers expect it.
2. There’s nothing I can do about it now without causing significant business disruption. Amid rising cyber threats, operating up-to-date versions of the latest software is a necessity. Developers must proactively de-risk build processes and technologies so end users have reliable software.
3. This is an end-user problem. Software products can degrade over time, and new vulnerabilities emerge regularly. Vendors are responsible for driving timely, seamless fixes, and it’s up to the user to implement them quickly.
4. It’s out of my control, and I don’t have the skills. Solving a problem begins with understanding it. Revenera offers ample product support and training to help guide successful installation and updates.
5. Getting started is too hard. Software installations should be safe, fast and reliable. This allows development teams to focus on innovative, quality software products. Revenera InstallShield® can help. The solution is the industry standard for developers creating installers for Windows desktops, servers, virtual and cloud platforms.

Outdated, legacy software installers increase risk and limit opportunities. By relying on them, organizations often face:

• Inability to efficiently patch/update products and users promptly
• Greater likelihood of falling victim to vulnerability exploitation
• Limited product support via end-of-support (EOS) and end-of-life (EOL)
• Reduced leverage of new technologies, lower uptake and fewer renewals
• Rising spend on support for aging products
• Missed opportunity to refresh from the ground up with a legacy installer migration

A modern, secure and easy-to-use installer will facilitate a smooth installation, proper configurations and continued updates of software and meet even the highest customer expectations.

Legacy installers may work for a time, but just as a band-aid on top of a band-aid eventually starts to break down, so will outdated technology. To start the migration process, an open and honest conversation about current and desired state is necessary. A customer-centric perspective will help appropriately guide goal setting.

1. Work collaboratively. Involve all stakeholders, including product teams, marketing, and support in all release strategies. It’s also helpful to include the end-user perspective.
2. Make installation easy. Simple software installers are key to high user adoption. Rather than find fault in user missteps after the fact, it is an installation author’s job to make the process clear and easy from the beginning. Users will love it and the product line will benefit.
3. Strengthen support resources. With any software upgrade or rollout, the support mechanism is key. Anticipate customer needs and strengthen support resources accordingly.
4. Replace the old with the new. Installer technologies transitioning out include JavaScript and VBScript. Innovations include native Microsoft MSIX support, digital signing, XML, cloud builds, cloud license server support and more. Companies still relying on old technology are at risk of faulty installations and updates.
5. Don’t do everything at once. New technologies can be exciting but a strategic, more measured approach to migrating is recommended. Rather than integrating everything at once, do the due diligence and get all stakeholders on board with the change. This improves uptake.

The one constant with technology is change. Ensure your policies and processes are aligned with this truth by future-proofing your installer software. This includes leveraging innovative, best-of-breed installation authoring technology to ensure products can be updated quickly and easily. Revenera InstallShield® adapts to industry changes and helps software vendors go to market faster with an engaging customer experience.

Another way to future-proof your installer software is to take advantage of built-in support for .NET, SQL and other frameworks rather than rely on third-party add-ons that force reliance on an external update cadence. InstallShield supports Windows desktops, servers, virtual and cloud platforms, including Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, .NET, Azure Key Vault digital signing, modern cloud builds and more.

Removing manual processes and embracing automation is mission-critical to ensuring consistency across your install base. Engaging with industry experts will also help your migration journey. Consulting outside experts will help de-risk the migration, bake-in best practices and accelerate the process. At the end of each update, be sure to build in periodic technology and release reviews.