Methods and systems for obtaining computer software via a network

• US 20030195949A1
• Filed: 04/30/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Slivka, Benjamin W., Webber, Jeffrey S.
• Application Number:
  US10/427,189
• Publication Number:
  US 20030195949A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

When creating a distribution file for distributing software over a network, instructions for automatically invoking instructions for installing software can be placed in the software distribution file. If an installation program, the software, and the instructions are placed in the software distribution file, a single user action can download and activate the software distribution file, leading to automatic installation of the software. The installation can be accomplished without further user input. The software distribution file can include an extractor for automatically extracting items in the distribution file.

Claims

1. In a client computer in communication with a server computer over a network, a method of installing software at the client computer from the server computer over the network, the method comprising:

responsive to a request generated at the client computer for installing the software, retrieving by the client computer an executable file from the server computer, the executable file comprising the software and an installation program for installing the software;

further responsive to the request, executing the executable file at the client computer; and

responsive to the execution of the executable file at the client computer, automatically starting the installation program to install the software on the client computer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the request at the client computer comprises an indication by a user at the client computer that the software is desired.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the request at the client computer comprises an indication by a user at the client computer that the software is to be downloaded.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the installation program comprises an installation utility.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the installation program further comprises an installation information file.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the executable file further comprises a self-extractor.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

further responsive to the request, invoking the self-extractor to extract the software and the installation program from the file.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the executable file further comprises a digital signature, the method further comprising:

further responsive to the request, verifying the digital signature before installing the software.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the executable file further comprises a digital signature.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

further responsive to the request, verifying the digital signature before installing the software.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the event at the client computer comprises a selection by a user at the client computer via an Internet browser of software to be downloaded and installed.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the starting is initiated without further user input.

13. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the following in a client computer in communication with a server computer over a network to install software at the client computer from the server computer over the network:

responsive to a request generated at the client computer for installing the software, retrieving by the client computer an executable file from the server computer, the executable file comprising the software and an installation program for installing the software;

further responsive to the request, executing the executable file at the client computer; and

responsive to the execution of the executable file at the client computer, automatically starting the installation program to install the software on the client computer.

14. In a client computer in communication with a server computer over a network, a method of installing software at the client computer from the server computer over the network, the method comprising:

responsive to a request generated at the client computer for installing the software, retrieving by the client computer an executable file from the server computer, the executable file comprising the software and an installation program for installing the software;

further responsive to the request, executing the executable file at the client computer; and

responsive to the execution of the executable file at the client computer, starting the installation program to install the software on the client computer without further user input.

15. In a client computer in communication with a server computer via a network, a method of installing software at the client computer, the method comprising:

responsive to an event detected at the client computer, retrieving to the client computer an executable file from the server computer, wherein the executable file comprises the software and an installation program for installing the software;

further responsive to the event detected at the client computer, opening the executable file at the client computer; and

responsive to said opening the executable file, automatically starting the installation program to install the software on the client computer.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the event at the client computer comprises an indication by a user at the client computer that the software is to be downloaded.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the event at the client computer comprises a selection by a user at the client computer out of a list of software available for download.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the event at the client computer comprises a selection by a user via a network browser.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

responsive to said opening the executable file, automatically extracting the installation program before executing the installation program.

20. A method for automatically installing software at a computer, the method comprising:

responsive to a user request at the computer indicating the software is desired, retrieving an executable file to the computer, wherein the executable file comprises the desired software and an installation utility for installing the software; and

after retrieving the executable file to the computer, automatically starting the installation utility to install the desired software.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the executable file further comprises an extraction utility operable to extract the desired software from the executable file, the method further comprising:

after retrieving the executable file to the computer, automatically invoking the extraction utility to extract the desired software from the executable file.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the executable file further comprises an extraction utility operable to extract the installation utility from the executable file, the method further comprising:

after retrieving the executable file to the computer, automatically invoking the extraction utility to extract the installation utility from the executable file.

23. In a receiving computer in communication with a sending computer over a network, a method of installing software at the receiving computer from the sending computer over the network, the method comprising:

responsive to a request generated at the receiving computer for installing the software, retrieving by the receiving computer an executable file from the sending computer, the executable file comprising the software, an extractor, and an installer for installing the software;

further responsive to the request, automatically invoking the extractor to extract the installer and the software from the executable file at the receiving computer; and

further responsive to the request, automatically starting the extracted installer to install the extracted software on the receiving computer.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the installer comprises an installation program.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the extractor comprises an extracting program.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the starting is performed without further user input.

27. In a computer, a method for installing software on the computer, the method comprising:

responsive to a request generated at the computer, retrieving to the computer a signed self-extracting distribution file, wherein the signed self-extracting distribution file comprises the software, a digital signature, an extractor, and an installer;

further responsive to the request generated at the computer, automatically verifying the digital signature;

further responsive to the request generated at the computer, automatically executing the extractor to extract the installer and the software form the self-extracting distribution file; and

further responsive to the request generated at the computer, automatically invoking the extracted installer to install the extracted software on the computer.

28. In a client computer in communication with a remote computer over a network, a software system for installing software on the client computer, the system comprising:

means for accepting an indication from a user that selected software is to be installed on the client computer;

responsive to the means for accepting, means for downloading a software distribution file to the client computer, wherein the software distribution file comprises the selected software and an installation program for installing the selected software, wherein the software distribution file further comprises means for initiating the installation program upon activation of the software distribution file; and

means for activating the distribution file to install the selected software.