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4.9 Instructions

4.9.1 Basic Instructions

The instructions that NSIS uses for scripting are sort of a cross between PHP and assembly. There are no real high level language constructs, but the instructions themselves are (for the most part) high level, and you have handy string capability (i.e. you don't have to worry about concatenating strings, etc). You essentially have 25 registers (20 general purpose, 5 special purpose), and a stack.

4.9.1.1 Delete

[/REBOOTOK] file

Delete file (which can be a file or wildcard, but should be specified with a full path) from the target system. If /REBOOTOK is specified and the file cannot be deleted then the file is deleted when the system reboots -- if the file will be deleted on a reboot, the reboot flag will be set. The error flag is set if files are found and cannot be deleted. The error flag is not set from trying to delete a file that does not exist.

4.9.1.2 Exec

command

Execute the specified program and continue immediately. Note that the file specified must exist on the target system, not the compiling system. $OUTDIR is used for the working directory. The error flag is set if the process could not be launched. Note, if the command could have spaces, you should put it in quotes to delimit it from parameters. e.g.: Exec '"$INSTDIR\command.exe" parameters'. If you don't put it in quotes it will not work on Windows 9x with or without parameters.

4.9.1.3 ExecShell

action command [parameters] [SW_SHOWNORMAL | SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED | SW_SHOWMINIMIZED]

Execute the specified program using ShellExecute. Note that action is usually "open", "print", etc, but can be an empty string to use the default action. Parameters and the show type are optional. $OUTDIR is used for the working directory. The error flag is set if the process could not be launched.

4.9.1.4 ExecWait

command [user_var(exit code)]

Execute the specified program and wait for the executed process to quit. See Exec for more information. If no output variable is specified ExecWait sets the error flag if the program executed returns a nonzero error code, or if there is an error. If an output variable is specified, ExecWait sets the variable with the exit code (and only sets the error flag if an error occurs; if an error occurs the contents of the user variable are undefined). Note, if the command could have spaces, you should put it in quotes to delimit it from parameters. e.g.: ExecWait '"$INSTDIR\command.exe" parameters'. If you don't put it in quotes it will not work on Windows 9x with or without parameters.

4.9.1.5 File

[/nonfatal] [/a] ([/r] (file|wildcard) [...] | /oname=file.dat infile.dat)

Adds file(s) to be extracted to the current output path ($OUTDIR).

4.9.1.6 Rename

[/REBOOTOK] source_file dest_file

Rename source_file to dest_file. You can use it to move a file from anywhere on the system to anywhere else and you can move a directory to somewhere else on the same drive. The destination file must not exist or the move will fail (unless you are using /REBOOTOK). If /REBOOTOK is specified, and the file cannot be moved (if, for example, the destination exists), then the file is moved when the system reboots. If the file will be moved on a reboot, the reboot flag will be set. The error flag is set if the file cannot be renamed (and /REBOOTOK is not used) or if the source file does not exist.

If no absolute path is specified the current folder will be used. The current folder is the folder set using the last SetOutPath instruction. If you have not used SetOutPath the current folder is $EXEDIR.

4.9.1.7 ReserveFile

[/nonfatal] [/r] file [file...]

Reserves a file in the data block for later use. As files are added in the order they are used in the script files that are used in the .onInit function, for example, might be added last and slow the loading of the installer. This is where this command comes useful, allowing you to speed up the loading process by including the file at the top of the data block instead of letting NSIS seek all the way down to the bottom of the compressed data block.

See File for more information about the parameters.

4.9.1.8 RMDir

[/r|/REBOOTOK] directory_name

Remove the specified directory (which should be a full path). Without /r, the directory will only be removed if it is completely empty. If /r is specified, the directory will be removed recursively, so all directories and files in the specified directory will be removed. If /REBOOTOK is specified, and the directory cannot be overwritten, then the directory will be deleted when the system reboots -- if the directory will be removed on a reboot, the reboot flag will be set. The error flag is set if the directory cannot be removed.

4.9.1.9 SetOutPath

outpath

Sets the output path ($OUTDIR) and creates it (recursively if necessary), if it does not exist. Must be a full pathname, usually is just $INSTDIR (you can specify $INSTDIR if you are lazy with a single "-").

4.9.2 Registry, INI, File Instructions

In all of the below registry instructions use an empty string (just two quotes with nothing between them - "") as the key name to specify the default key which is shown as (Default) in regedit.exe.

4.9.2.1 DeleteINISec

ini_filename section_name

Deletes the entire section [section_name] from ini_filename. If the section could not be removed from the ini file, the error flag is set. It does not set the error flag if the section could not be found.

4.9.2.2 DeleteINIStr

ini_filename section_name str_name

Deletes the string str_name from section [section_name] from ini_filename. If the string could not be removed from the ini file, the error flag is set. It does not set the error flag if the string could not be found.

4.9.2.3 DeleteRegKey

[/ifempty] root_key subkey

Deletes a registry key. If /ifempty is specified, the registry key will only be deleted if it has no subkeys (otherwise, the whole registry tree will be removed). Valid values for root_key are listed under WriteRegStr. The error flag is set if the key could not be removed from the registry (or if it didn't exist to begin with).

4.9.2.4 DeleteRegValue

root_key subkey key_name

Deletes a registry value. Valid values for root_key are listed under WriteRegStr. The error flag is set if the value could not be removed from the registry (or if it didn't exist to begin with).

4.9.2.5 EnumRegKey

user_var(output) root_key subkey index

Set user variable $x with the name of the 'index'th registry key in root_key\Subkey. Valid values for root_key are listed under WriteRegStr. Returns an empty string if there are no more keys, and returns an empty string and sets the error flag if there is an error.

4.9.2.6 EnumRegValue

user_var(output) root_key subkey index

Set user variable $x with the name of the 'index'th registry value in root_key\Subkey. Valid values for root_key are listed under WriteRegStr. Returns an empty string if there are no more values, and returns an empty string and sets the error flag if there is an error.

4.9.2.7 ExpandEnvStrings

user_var(output) string

Expands environment variables in "string" into the user variable $x. If error, the variable is set to empty, and the error flag is set.

4.9.2.8 FlushINI

ini_filename

Flushes the INI file's buffers. Windows 9x keeps all changes to the INI file in memory. This command causes the changes to be written to the disk immediately. Use it if you edit the INI manually, delete it, move it or copy it right after you change it with WriteINIStr, DeleteINISec or DeleteINStr.

4.9.2.9 ReadEnvStr

user_var(output) name

Reads from the environment string "name" and sets the value into the user variable $x. If there is an error reading the string, the user variable is set to empty, and the error flag is set.

4.9.2.10 ReadINIStr

user_var(output) ini_filename section_name entry_name

Reads from entry_name in [section_name] of ini_filename and stores the value into user variable $x. The error flag will be set and $x will be assigned to an empty string if the entry is not found.

4.9.2.11 ReadRegDWORD

user_var(output) root_key sub_key name

Reads a 32 bit DWORD from the registry into the user variable $x. Valid values for root_key are listed under WriteRegStr. The error flag will be set and $x will be set to an empty string ("" which is 0) if the DWORD is not present. If the value is present, but is not a DWORD, it will be read as a string and the error flag will be set.

4.9.2.12 ReadRegStr

user_var(output) root_key sub_key name

Reads from the registry into the user variable $x. Valid values for root_key are listed under WriteRegStr. The error flag will be set and $x will be set to an empty string ("") if the string is not present. If the value is present, but is of type REG_DWORD, it will be read and converted to a string and the error flag will be set.

4.9.2.13 WriteINIStr

ini_filename section_name entry_name value

Writes entry_name=value into [section_name] of ini_filename. The error flag is set if the string could not be written to the ini file.

4.9.2.14 WriteRegBin

root_key subkey key_name valuedata

This command writes a block of binary data to the registry. Valid values for root_key are listed under WriteRegStr. Valuedata is in hexadecimal (e.g. DEADBEEF01223211151). The error flag is set if the binary data could not be written to the registry. If the registry key doesn't exist it will be created.

4.9.2.15 WriteRegDWORD

root_key subkey key_name value

This command writes a dword (32 bit integer) to the registry (a user variable can be specified). Valid values for root_key are listed under WriteRegStr. The error flag is set if the dword could not be written to the registry. If the registry key doesn't exist it will be created.

4.9.2.16 WriteRegStr

root_key subkey key_name value

Write a string to the registry. See WriteRegExpandStr for more details.

4.9.2.17 WriteRegExpandStr

root_key subkey key_name value

Write a string to the registry. root_key must be one of:

The error flag is set if the string could not be written to the registry. The type of the string will be REG_SZ for WriteRegStr, or REG_EXPAND_STR for WriteRegExpandStr. If the registry key doesn't exist it will be created.

4.9.3 General Purpose Instructions

4.9.3.1 CallInstDLL

dllfile [/NOUNLOAD] function_name

Calls a function_name inside a NSIS extension DLL. See Contrib\ExDLL for an example of how to make one. Extension DLLs can access the stack and variables. Use /NOUNLOAD to force the installer to leave the DLL loaded. Note: To automatically extract and call plug-in DLLs, use a plug-in command instead of CallInstDLL.

4.9.3.2 CopyFiles

[/SILENT] [/FILESONLY] filespec_on_destsys destination_path [size_of_files_in_kb]

Copies files from the source to the destination on the installing system. Useful with $EXEDIR if you want to copy from installation media, or to copy from one place to another on the system. You might see a Windows status window of the copy operation if the operation takes a lot of time (to disable this, use /SILENT). The last parameter can be used to specify the size of the files that will be copied (in kilobytes), so that the installer can approximate the disk space requirements. On error, or if the user cancels the copy (only possible when /SILENT was omitted), the error flag is set. If /FILESONLY is specified, only files are copied.

If no absolute path is specified the current folder will be used. The current folder is the folder set using the last SetOutPath instruction. If you have not used SetOutPath the current folder is usually $EXEDIR.

4.9.3.3 CreateDirectory

path_to_create

Creates (recursively if necessary) the specified directory. The error flag is set if the directory couldn't be created.

You should always specify an absolute path.

4.9.3.4 CreateShortCut

link.lnk target.file [parameters [icon.file [icon_index_number [start_options [keyboard_shortcut [description]]]]]]

Creates a shortcut 'link.lnk' that links to 'target.file', with optional parameters 'parameters'. The icon used for the shortcut is 'icon.file,icon_index_number'; for default icon settings use empty strings for both icon.file and icon_index_number. start_options should be one of: SW_SHOWNORMAL, SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED, SW_SHOWMINIMIZED, or an empty string. keyboard_shortcut should be in the form of 'flag|c' where flag can be a combination (using |) of: ALT, CONTROL, EXT, or SHIFT. c is the character to use (a-z, A-Z, 0-9, F1-F24, etc). Note that no spaces are allowed in this string. A good example is "ALT|CONTROL|F8". $OUTDIR is used for the working directory. You can change it by using SetOutPath before creating the Shortcut. description should be the description of the shortcut, or comment as it is called under XP. The error flag is set if the shortcut cannot be created (i.e. the path does not exist, or some other error).

4.9.3.5 GetDLLVersion

filename user_var(high dword output) user_var(low dword output)

Gets the version information from the DLL (or any other executable containing version information) in "filename". Sets the user output variables with the high and low dwords of version information on success; on failure the outputs are empty and the error flag is set. The following example reads the DLL version and copies a human readable version of it into $0:

GetDllVersion "$INSTDIR\MyDLL.dll" $R0 $R1
IntOp $R2 $R0 / 0x00010000
IntOp $R3 $R0 & 0x0000FFFF
IntOp $R4 $R1 / 0x00010000
IntOp $R5 $R1 & 0x0000FFFF
StrCpy $0 "$R2.$R3.$R4.$R5"

4.9.3.6 GetDLLVersionLocal

localfilename user_var(high dword output) user_var(low dword output)

This is similar to GetDLLVersion, only it acts on the system building the installer (it actually compiles into two StrCpy commands). Sets the two output variables with the DLL version information of the DLL on the build system.

4.9.3.7 GetFileTime

filename user_var(high dword output) user_var(low dword output)

Gets the last write time of "filename". Sets the user output variables with the high and low dwords of the timestamp on success; on failure the outputs are empty and the error flag is set.

4.9.3.8 GetFileTimeLocal

localfilename user_var(high dword output) user_var(low dword output)

This is similar to GetFileTime, only it acts on the system building the installer (it actually compiles into two StrCpy commands). Sets the two output variables with the file timestamp of the file on the build system.

4.9.3.9 GetFullPathName

[/SHORT] user_var(output) path_or_file

Assign to the user variable $x, the full path of the file specified. If the path portion of the parameter is not found, the error flag will be set and $x will be empty. If /SHORT is specified, the path is converted to the short filename form.

4.9.3.10 GetTempFileName

user_var(output) base_dir

Assign to the user variable $x, the name of a temporary file. The file will have been created, so you can then overwrite it with what you please. The name of the temporary file is guaranteed to be unique. If to want the temporary file to be created in another directory than the Windows temp directory, specify a base_dir. Delete the file when done with it.

4.9.3.11 SearchPath

user_var(output) filename

Assign to the user variable $x, the full path of the file named by the second parameter. The error flag will be set and $x will be empty if the file cannot be found. Uses SearchPath() to search the system paths for the file.

4.9.3.12 SetFileAttributes

filename attribute1|attribute2|...

Sets the file attributes of 'filename'. Valid attributes can be combined with | and are:

The error flag will be set if the file's attributes cannot be set (i.e. the file doesn't exist, or you don't have the right permissions). You can only set attributes. It's not possible to unset them. If you want to remove an attribute use NORMAL. This way all attributes are erased. This command doesn't support wildcards.

4.9.3.13 RegDLL

dllfile [entrypoint_name]

Loads the specified DLL and calls DllRegisterServer (or entrypoint_name if specified). The error flag is set if an error occurs (i.e. it can't load the DLL, initialize OLE, find the entry point, or the function returned anything other than ERROR_SUCCESS (=0)).

Use SetOutPath to set the current directory for DLLs that depend on other DLLs that are now in the path or in the Windows directory. For example, if foo.dll depends on bar.dll which is located in $INSTDIR use:

 SetOutPath $INSTDIR
 RegDLL $INSTDIR\foo.dll

4.9.3.14 UnRegDLL

dllfile

Loads the specified DLL and calls DllUnregisterServer. The error flag is set if an error occurs (i.e. it can't load the DLL, initialize OLE, find the entry point, or the function returned anything other than ERROR_SUCCESS (=0)).

4.9.4 Flow Control Instructions

4.9.4.1 Abort

user_message

Cancels the install, stops execution of script, and displays user_message in the status display. Note: you can use this from Callback functions to do special things. Page callbacks also uses Abort for special purposes.

4.9.4.2 Call

function_name | :label_name

Calls the function named function_name. If in the Uninstall section, Call can only be used with function names beginning with "un.". If the parameter starts with a ':' it will be treated as a label (so you can call to a label in your function - this is probably not going to be used most of the time).

4.9.4.3 ClearErrors

Clears the error flag.

4.9.4.4 GetCurrentAddress

user_var(output)

Gets the address of the current instruction (the GetCurrentAddress) and stores it in the output user variable. This user variable then can be passed to Call or Goto.

4.9.4.5 GetFunctionAddress

user_var(output) function_name

Gets the address of the function and stores it in the output user variable. This user variable then can be passed to Call or Goto. Note that if you Goto an address which is the output of GetFunctionAddress, your function will never be returned to (when the function you Goto'd to returns, you return instantly).

4.9.4.6 GetLabelAddress

user_var(output) label

Gets the address of the label and stores it in the output user variable. This user variable then can be passed to Call or Goto. Note that you may only call this with labels accessible from your function, but you can call it from anywhere (which is potentially dangerous). Note that if you Call the output of GetLabelAddress, code will be executed until it Return's (explicitly or implicitly at the end of a function), and then you will be returned to the statement after the Call.

4.9.4.7 Goto

label_to_jump_to | +offset| -offset| user_var(target)

If label is specified, goto the label 'label_to_jump_to:'.

If +offset or -offset is specified, jump is relative by offset instructions. Goto +1 goes to the next instruction, Goto -1 goes to the previous instruction, etc.

If a user variable is specified, jumps to absolute address (generally you will want to get this value from a function like GetLabelAddress). Compiler flag commands and SectionIn aren't instructions so jumping over them has no effect.

4.9.4.8 IfAbort

label_to_goto_if_abort [label_to_goto_if_no_abort]

If abort is called it will "return" true. This can happen if the user choose abort on a file that failed to create (or overwrite) or if the user aborted by hand. This function can only be called from the leave function of the instfiles page.

4.9.4.9 IfErrors

jumpto_iferror [jumpto_ifnoerror]

Checks and clears the error flag, and if it is set, it will goto jumpto_iferror, otherwise it will goto jumpto_ifnoerror. The error flag is set by other instructions when a recoverable error (such as trying to delete a file that is in use) occurs.

4.9.4.10 IfFileExists

file_to_check_for jump_if_present [jump_otherwise]

Checks for existence of file(s) file_to_check_for (which can be a wildcard, or a directory), and Gotos jump_if_present if the file exists, otherwise Gotos jump_otherwise. If you want to check to see if a file is a directory, use IfFileExists DIRECTORY\*.*

4.9.4.11 IfRebootFlag

[jump_if_set] [jump_if_not_set]

Atleast one parameter is required. Checks the reboot flag, and jumps to jump_if_set if the reboot flag is set, otherwise jumps to jump_if_not_set. The reboot flag can be set by Delete and Rename, or manually with SetRebootFlag.

4.9.4.12 IfSilent

[jump_if_silent] [jump_if_not]

Atleast one parameter is required. Checks the silent flag, and jumps to jump_if_silent if the installer is silent, otherwise jumps to jump_if_not. The silent flag can be set by SilentInstall, SilentUninstall, SetSilent and by the user passing /S on the command line.

4.9.4.13 IntCmp

val1 val2 jump_if_equal [jump_if_val1_less] [jump_if_val1_more]

Compares two integers val1 and val2. If val1 and val2 are equal, Gotos jump_if_equal, otherwise if val1 < val2, Gotos jump_if_val1_less, otherwise if val1 > val2, Gotos jump_if_val1_more.

4.9.4.14 IntCmpU

val1 val2 jump_if_equal [jump_if_val1_less] [jump_if_val1_more]

Compares two unsigned integers val1 and val2. If val1 and val2 are equal, Gotos jump_if_equal, otherwise if val1 < val2, Gotos jump_if_val1_less, otherwise if val1 > val2, Gotos jump_if_val1_more. Performs the comparison as unsigned integers.

4.9.4.15 MessageBox

mb_option_list messagebox_text [/SD return] [return_check jumpto] [return_check_2 jumpto_2]

Displays a MessageBox containing the text "messagebox_text". mb_option_list must be one or more of the following, delimited by |s (e.g. MB_YESNO|MB_ICONSTOP).

Return_check can be 0 (or empty, or left off), or one of the following:

If the return value of the MessageBox is return_check, the installer will Goto jumpto.

Use the /SD parameter with one of the return_check values above to specify the option that will be used when the installer is silent. See section 4.12 for more information.

4.9.4.16 Return

Returns from a function or section.

4.9.4.17 Quit

Causes the installer to exit as soon as possible. After Quit is called, the installer will exit (no callback functions will get a chance to run).

4.9.4.18 SetErrors

Sets the error flag.

4.9.4.19 StrCmp

str1 str2 jump_if_equal [jump_if_not_equal]

Compares (case insensitively) str1 to str2. If str1 and str2 are equal, Gotos jump_if_equal, otherwise Gotos jump_if_not_equal.

4.9.5 File Instructions

4.9.5.1 FileClose

handle

Closes a file handle opened with FileOpen.

4.9.5.2 FileOpen

user_var(handle output) filename openmode

Opens a file named "filename", and sets the handle output variable with the handle. The openmode should be one of "r" (read) "w" (write, all contents of file are destroyed) or "a" (append, meaning opened for both read and write, contents preserved). In all open modes, the file pointer is placed at the beginning of the file. If the file cannot be opened, the handle output is set to empty, and the error flag is set.

If no absolute path is specified the current folder will be used. The current folder is the folder set using the last SetOutPath instruction. If you have not used SetOutPath the current folder is $EXEDIR.

4.9.5.3 FileRead

handle user_var(output) [maxlen]

Reads a string from a file opened with FileOpen. The string is read until either a newline (or carriage return newline pair) occurs, or until a null byte is read, or until maxlen is met (if specified). Strings are limited to 1024 characters. If the end of file is read and no more data is available, the output string will be empty, and the error flag will be set.

4.9.5.4 FileReadByte

handle user_var(output)

Reads a byte from a file opened with FileOpen. The byte is stored in the output as an integer (0-255). If the end of file is read and no more data is available, the output will be empty, and the error flag will be set.

4.9.5.5 FileSeek

handle offset [mode] [user_var(new position)]

Seeks a file opened with FileOpen. If mode is omitted or specified as SET, the file is positioned to "offset". If mode is specified as CUR, then the file pointer is moved by offset. If mode is specified as END, the file pointer is set to a position relative to EOF. If the final parameter "new position" is specified, the new file position will be stored to that variable.

4.9.5.6 FileWrite

handle string

Writes a string to a file opened with FileOpen. If an error occurs writing, the error flag will be set.

4.9.5.7 FileWriteByte

handle string

Writes the integer interpretation of 'string' to a file opened with FileOpen. Of course you can enter the integer value directly. The following code writes a "Carriage Return / Line Feed" - Enter to the file.

FileWriteByte file_handle "13"
FileWriteByte file_handle "10"

You can If an error occurs writing, the error flag will be set. Note that the low byte of the integer is used, i.e. writing 256 is the same as writing 0, etc.

4.9.5.8 FindClose

handle

Closes a search opened with FindFirst.

4.9.5.9 FindFirst

user_var(handle output) user_var(filename output) filespec

Performs a search for 'filespec', placing the first file found in filename_output (a user variable). It also puts the handle of the search into handle_output (also a user variable). If no files are found, both outputs are set to empty, and the error flag is set. Best used with FindNext and FindClose. Note that the filename output is without path.

4.9.5.10 FindNext

handle user_var(filename_output)

Continues a search began with FindFirst. handle should be the handle_output_variable returned by FindFirst. If the search is completed (there are no more files), filename_output is set to empty, and the error flag is set. Note that the filename output is without path.

4.9.6 Uninstaller Instructions

4.9.6.1 WriteUninstaller

[Path\]exename.exe

Writes the uninstaller to the filename (and optionally path) specified. Only valid from within an install section or function, and requires that you have an uninstall section in your script. See also Uninstall configuration. You can call this one or more times to write out one or more copies of the uninstaller.

4.9.7 Miscellaneous Instructions

4.9.7.1 GetInstDirError

user_var(error output)

Use in the leave function of a directory page. Reads the flag set if 'DirVerify leave' is used. Possible values:

0: No error

1: Invalid installation directory

2: Not enough space on installation drive

4.9.7.2 InitPluginsDir

Initializes the plugins dir ($PLUGINSDIR) if not already initialized.

4.9.7.3 SetShellVarContext

current|all

Sets the context of $SMPROGRAMS and other shell folders. If set to 'current' (the default), the current user's shell folders are used. If set to 'all', the 'all users' shell folder is used. The all users folder may not be supported on all OSes. If the all users folder is not found, the current user folder will be used. Please take into consideration that a "normal user" has no rights to write in the all users area. Only admins have full access rights to the all users area. You can check this by using the UserInfo Plugin. See Contrib\UserInfo\UserInfo.nsi for an example.

4.9.7.4 Sleep

sleeptime_in_ms

Pauses execution in the installer for sleeptime_in_ms milliseconds. sleeptime_in_ms can be a variable, e.g. "$0" or a number, i.e. "666".

4.9.8 String Manipulation Instructions

4.9.8.1 StrCpy

user_var(destination) str [maxlen] [start_offset]

Sets the user variable $x with str. Note that str can contain other variables, or the user variable being set (concatenating strings this way is possible, etc). If maxlen is specified, the string will be a maximum of maxlen characters (if maxlen is negative, the string will be truncated abs(maxlen) characters from the end). If start_offset is specified, the source is offset by it (if start_offset is negative, it will start abs(start_offset) from the end of the string).

4.9.8.2 StrLen

user_var(length output) str

Sets user variable $x with the length of str.

4.9.9 Stack Support

4.9.9.1 Exch

[user_var | stack_index]

When no parameter is specified, exchanges the top two elements of the stack. When a parameter is specified and is a user variable, exchanges the top element of the stack with the parameter. When a parameter is specified and is a positive integer, Exch will swap the item on the top of the stack with the item that is specified by the offset from the top of the stack in the parameter. If there are not enough items on the stack to accomplish the exchange, a fatal error will occur (to help you debug your code :).

4.9.9.2 Pop

user_var(out)

Pops a string off of the stack into user variable $x. If the stack is empty, the error flag will be set.

4.9.9.3 Push

string

Pushes a string onto the stack. The string can then be Popped off of the stack.

4.9.10 Integer Support

4.9.10.1 IntFmt

user_var(output) format numberstring

Formats the number in "numberstring" using the format "format", and sets the output to user variable $x. Example format strings include "%08X" "%u"

4.9.10.2 IntOp

user_var(output) value1 OP [value2]

Combines value1 and (depending on OP) value2 into the user variable $x. OP is defined as one of the following:

4.9.11 Reboot Instructions

4.9.11.1 Reboot

Reboots the computer. Be careful with this one. If there is an error rebooting, this function sets the error flag and continues. If the reboot is successful, this instruction does not return.

4.9.11.2 SetRebootFlag

true|false

Sets the reboot flag to either true or false.

4.9.12 Install Logging Instructions

4.9.12.1 LogSet

on|off

Sets whether install logging to $INSTDIR\install.log will happen. $INSTDIR must have a value before you call this function or it will not work. Note that NSIS_CONFIG_LOG must be set in the compile configuration file (config.h) on compile time (it is not by default) to support this. See Compiling NSIS Sources for more information about recompiling NSIS.

4.9.12.2 LogText

text

If installer logging is enabled, inserts text "text" into the log file.

4.9.13 Section Management

4.9.13.1 SectionSetFlags

section_index section_flags

Sets the section's flags. The flag is a 32 bit integer. The first bit (lowest) represents whether the section is currently enabled, the second bit represents whether the section is a subsection (don't modify this unless you really know what you are doing), the third bit represents whether the section is a subsection end (again, don't modify), the fourth bit represents whether the section is shown in bold or not, the fifth bit represents whether the section is read-only and the sixth bit represents whether the sub-section is to be automatically expanded. The error flag will be set if an out of range section is specified.

For an example of usage please see the one-section.nsi example.

4.9.13.2 SectionGetFlags

section_index user_var(output)

Retrieves the section's flags. See above for a description of the flag. The error flag will be set if an out of range section is specified.

4.9.13.3 SectionSetText

section_index section_text

Sets the description for the section section_index. To set a subsection, you must use - at the beginning of the text. If the Text is set to "" than the section will be hidden. The error flag will be set if an out of range section is specified.

4.9.13.4 SectionGetText

section_index user_var(output)

Stores the text description of the section section_index into the output. If the section is hidden, stores an empty string. The error flag will be set if an out of range section is specified.

4.9.13.5 SectionSetInstTypes

section_index inst_types

Sets the install types the section specified by section_index defaults to the enabled state in. Note that the section index starts with zero. Every bit of inst_types is a flag that tells if the section is in that install type or not. For example, if you have 3 install types and you want the first section to be included in install types 1 and 3, then the command should look like this:

SectionSetInstTypes 0 5

because the binary value for 5 is "00000101". The error flag will be set if the section index specified is out of range.

4.9.13.6 SectionGetInstTypes

section_index user_var(output)

Retrieves the install types flags array of a section. See above explanation about SectionSetInstTypes for a description of how to deal with the output. The error flag will be set if the section index specified is out of range.

4.9.13.7 SectionSetSize

section_index new_size

Sets the Size of the section specified by section_index. Note that the Index starts with Zero. The Value for Size must be entered in KiloByte and supports only whole numbers.

4.9.13.8 SectionGetSize

section_index user_var

Gets the Size of the section specified by section_index and stores the value in the given User Variable. Note that the Index starts with Zero.

4.9.13.9 SetCurInstType

inst_type_idx

Sets the current InstType. The Error Flag is not set if an out of range InstType was used.

SetCurInstType currently only works when the there is a components page.

4.9.13.10 GetCurInstType

user_var

Get the current InstType and stores the Value in the given User Variable. The value of ${NSIS_MAX_INST_TYPES} (32 by default) means that the custom installation type was selected.

4.9.13.11 InstTypeSetText

inst_type_idx text

Sets the Text of the specified InstType. If the Text is empty than the InstType is removed. By using a previously unused inst_type_idx number you can create new InstTypes. To add/remove Sections to this new InstType see SectionSetInstTypes. Unlike SectionIn the index is zero based, which means the first installation type's index is 0.

4.9.13.12 InstTypeGetText

inst_type_idx user_var

Gets the Text of the specified InstType.

4.9.14 User Interface Instructions

4.9.14.1 BringToFront

Makes the installer window visible and brings it to the top of the window list. If an application was executed that shows itself in front of the installer, a BringToFront would bring the installer back in focus.

Recent Windows versions restrict the setting of foreground windows. If the user if working with another application during installation, the user may be notifed using a different method.

4.9.14.2 CreateFont

user_var(handle output) face_name [height] [weight] [/ITALIC] [/UNDERLINE] [/STRIKE]

Creates a font and puts its handle into user_var. For more information about the different parameters have a look at MSDN's page about the Win32 API function CreateFont().

4.9.14.3 DetailPrint

user_message

Adds the string "user_message" to the details view of the installer.

4.9.14.4 EnableWindow

hwnd (1|0)

Enables or disables mouse and keyboard input to the specified window or control. Possible states are 0 (disabled) or 1 (enabled).

4.9.14.5 FindWindow

user_var(hwnd output) windowclass [windowtitle] [windowparent] [childafter]

Searches for a window. Behaves like the win32 FindWindowEx(). Searches by windowclass (and/or windowtitle if specified). If windowparent or childafter are specified, the search will be restricted as such. If windowclass or windowtitle is specified as "", they will not be used for the search. If the window is not found, the user variable returned is 0. To accomplish old-style FindWindow behavior, use FindWindow with SendMessage.

4.9.14.6 GetDlgItem

user_var(output) dialog item_id

Retrieves the handle of a control identified by item_id in the specified dialog box dialog. If you want to get the handle of a control on the inner dialog, first use FindWindow user_var(output) "#32770" "" $HWNDPARENT to get the handle of the inner dialog.

4.9.14.7 HideWindow

Hides the installer.

4.9.14.8 IsWindow

HWND jump_if_window [jump_if_not_window]

If HWND is a window, Gotos jump_if_window, otherwise, Gotos jump_if_not_window (if specified).

4.9.14.9 SendMessage

HWND msg wparam lparam [user_var(return value)] [/TIMEOUT=time_in_ms]

Sends a message to HWND. If a user variable $x is specified as the last parameter (or one before the last if you use /TIMEOUT), the return value of SendMessage will be stored to it. Note that when specifying 'msg' you must just use the integer value of the message. If you wish to send strings use "STR:a string" as wParam or lParam where needed.

Include WinMessages.nsh to have all of Windows messages defined in your script.

To send a string param, put STR: before the parameter, for example: "STR:Some string".

Use /TIMEOUT=time_in_ms to specify the duration, in milliseconds, of the time-out period.

4.9.14.10 SetAutoClose

true|false

Overrides the default auto window-closing flag (specified for the installer using AutoCloseWindow, and false for the uninstaller). Specify 'true' to have the install window immediately disappear after the install has completed, or 'false' to make it require a manual close.

4.9.14.11 SetBrandingImage

[/IMGID=item_id_in_dialog] [/RESIZETOFIT] path_to_bitmap_file.bmp

Sets the current bitmap file displayed as the branding image. If no IMGID is specified, the first image control found will be used, or the image control created by AddBrandingImage. Note that this bitmap must be present on the user's machine. Use File first to put it there. If /RESIZETOFIT is specified the image will be automatically resized (very poorly) to the image control size. If you used AddBrandingImage you can get this size, by compiling your script and watching for AddBrandingImage output, it will tell you the size. SetBrandingImage will not work when called from .onInit!

4.9.14.12 SetDetailsView

show|hide

Shows or hides the details, depending on which parameter you pass. Overrides the default details view, which is set via ShowInstDetails.

4.9.14.13 SetDetailsPrint

none|listonly|textonly|both|lastused

Sets mode at which commands print their status. None has commands be quiet, listonly has status text only added to the listbox, textonly has status text only printed to the status bar, and both enables both (the default). For extracting many small files, textonly is recommended (especially on win9x with smooth scrolling enabled).

4.9.14.14 SetCtlColors

hwnd [/BRANDING] [text_color] [transparent|bg_color]

Sets a background color and the text color for a static control, edit control, button or a dialog. Use GetDlgItem to get the handle (HWND) of the control. To make the control transparent specify "transparent" as the background color value. You can also specify /BRANDING with or without text color and background color to make the control completely gray (or any other color you choose). This is used by the branding text control in the MUI.

4.9.14.15 SetSilent

silent | normal

Sets the installer to silent mode or normal mode. See SilentInstall for more information about silent installations. Can only be used in .onInit.

Sets the installer

4.9.14.16 ShowWindow

hwnd show_state

Sets the visability of a window. Possible show_states are the same as Windows ShowWindow function. SW_* constants are defined in Include\WinMessages.nsh.

4.9.15 Multiple Languages Instructions

4.9.15.1 LoadLanguageFile

language_file.nlf

Loads a language file for the construction of a language table. All of the language files that come with NSIS are in Contrib\Language Files

After you have inserted the language file ${LANG_langfile} will be defined as the language id (for example, ${LANG_ENGLISH} will be defined as 1033). Use it with LangString, LicenseLangString, LangDLL and VIAddVersionKey.

4.9.15.2 LangString

name language_id string

Defines a multilingual string. This means the its value will be different (or not, it's up to you) for every language. It allows you to easily make your installer multilingual without the need to add massive switches to the script.

Each language string has a name that identifies it and a value for each language used by the installer. They can be used in any runtime string in the script. To use a language string all you need to add to the string is $(LangString_name_here) where you want the LangString to be inserted.

Notes:

Example of usage:

 LangString message ${LANG_ENGLISH} "English message"
 LangString message ${LANG_FRENCH} "French message"
 LangString message ${LANG_KOREAN} "Korean message"

 MessageBox MB_OK "A translated message: $(message)"

4.9.15.3 LicenseLangString

name language_id license_path

Does the same as LangString only it loads the string from a text/RTF file and defines a special LangString that can be used only by LicenseData.

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