InstallShield installer archive

File Format
Name	InstallShield installer archive
Ontology	Electronic File Formats Archiving InstallShield installer archive
Extension(s)	.ex_

InstallShield installer archive is what we're calling the format of the file usually named _inst32i.ex_ or _inst16.ex_, included in many Windows software distributions that use the InstallShield installation software. Filenames _inst32a.ex_ (related to Windows NT for DEC Alpha) and _inst32m.ex_ (MIPS) are also possible, though rare.

It uses PKWARE DCL Implode compression.

An archive in this format contains redistributable InstallShield executable files specific to one platform.

See InstallShield for other InstallShield formats.

Identification

Files begin with bytes 2a ab 79 d8.

At offset 8 is the message "Copyright (c) 1990-1995 Stirling Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserve".

Software

• Deark

Sample files

• Examples of software with such a file: [1], [2], [3]
• dexvert samples — archive/installShieldInstallerArchive

Links

• FILExt page about the ??_ file extension pattern (Look for "InstallShield")