Inno Setup: what it is

Inno Setup is a tool for building Windows installers. You describe what to install in a script, and the compiler turns it into a single setup.exe with a wizard, an uninstaller, file compression and optional 64-bit support. It has been developed since 1997 by Jordan Russell, with Martijn Laan as the other main author, and it is used for everything from small utilities to large commercial products.

For an IT team it is the quick way to wrap a script, a configuration and a few files into one installer that people can run without help. We have not built an installer with it ourselves for this page (Not tested yet); the details come from the official jrsoftware.org pages and the licence text.

Inno Setup at a glance

Item	Details
Developer	Jordan Russell and Martijn Laan (jrsoftware.org)
Recommended version	7.1.1, dated 28 October 2026 (64-bit and 32-bit editions)
Version 6 line	6.7.4, also dated 28 October 2026, still offered for download
Licence	Free for any purpose, including commercial use, under the Inno Setup licence. The developers ask commercial users to buy a licence to support the project
Download size	7.1.1 x64 about 13.7 MB; 6.7.4 about 10.1 MB
Installer signature	The official installers are signed with Pyrsys B.V. as the publisher name
Last verified	13 November 2026, against jrsoftware.org

Version 7 or version 6

The official download page calls Inno Setup 7 the recommended version. Both editions of version 7 can build 32-bit or 64-bit installers, they can be installed next to version 6, and extended-length paths are supported, which removes the old path length limit. The developers say they took great care to keep scripts working between version 6 and version 7.

The version 6 line is still published. Its recent changes include dark mode and custom styles for Setup and Uninstall (6.6) and custom wizard background images and colours (6.7). If you maintain old installer scripts, test them with version 7 on a copy first.

The next release is announced on the same page with Zstandard compression, which unpacks much faster than LZMA, and a larger set of editor improvements in the compiler IDE. Those are plans, not a released version.

What Inno Setup can do

Build a single EXE installer for easy online distribution; disk spanning is also supported.
Install 64-bit applications properly on 64-bit Windows, for x64 and Arm64.
Run administrative and non-administrative installs.
Compare file versions, replace files in use, register DLL and OCX files, install fonts, download and verify files, and extract archives.
Compress with zlib, bzip2 and 7-Zip LZMA or LZMA2.
Offer setup types such as Full, Minimal and Custom, and create shortcuts anywhere, including the Start menu.
Uninstall completely.

The official pages list support for every Windows release since 2009, including Windows 7 and Windows 11, for the installers you build.

How to get started

Download the 64-bit Inno Setup 7 installer from the official download page, or use winget install --id JRSoftware.InnoSetup.7 -e -s winget if you prefer a package manager.
Open the compiler IDE and start a new script with the wizard, or write the script by hand.
Add your files, shortcuts and options, then compile to produce setup.exe.
Test the installer on a clean virtual machine, including the uninstall.
Sign the finished setup.exe with a code signing certificate before you distribute it. See SignGUI for a simple window in front of Microsoft SignTool.

Who it is for, and who should look elsewhere

Good fit: a developer or admin who wants a free, script-based EXE installer with a classic wizard, and is comfortable writing a script.
Look at MSI tools: if you must deliver an MSI or MSIX package for Group Policy, Intune or Configuration Manager, a packaging tool such as Advanced Installer is the better match. Advanced Installer can import an Inno Setup project, according to its feature list.
Not the right tool: deploying to many PCs with change tracking and reporting. Inno Setup builds the installer, not the deployment.

Limitations to know

It builds EXE installers, not MSI packages.
Inno Setup 7 is a newer line: test existing scripts before you rely on it.
There are many unofficial copies of the setup file on the internet. Download from jrsoftware.org or the project’s GitHub page and check the publisher name Pyrsys B.V. on the file’s digital signature.
Commercial licences are a voluntary support option under the licence text, but the developers ask commercial users to buy one. Check the current terms on jrsoftware.org before you decide for your company.

FAQ

Is Inno Setup free?

Yes. The licence text grants permission to use it for any purpose, including commercial applications. The developers ask commercial users to buy a licence, which includes two years of updates, to support development.

What is the latest Inno Setup version?

On 13 November 2026 the official page listed Inno Setup 7.1.1 as recommended and Inno Setup 6.7.4 for the older line, both dated 28 October 2026.

Can version 7 and version 6 live on the same PC?

Yes. The official page says both editions of Inno Setup 7 can coexist with Inno Setup 6.

Does it make MSI files?

No. It builds EXE installers. For MSI or MSIX, look at a packaging tool.

Do I need the 64-bit edition?

The developers recommend it. It can still build 32-bit installers, and does so by default.

Sources

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