微软Windows Installer作为Win2K/WinXP/WinVista的组件之一，是专门用来管理和配置软件服务的工具。在Win95、Win98、WinMe与WinNT4.0下，作为额外的产品提供，允许用户有效地安装与配置软件产品与应用程序。新的Installer提供给软件产品新的特性，例如使用命令行安装产品、增加了用户的可定制性。(Microsoft Windows Installer, one of the components of Win2K/WinXP/WinVista, is a tool for managing and configuring software services. Under Win95, Win98, WinMe and WinNT4.0, as an additional product offering, it allows users to effectively install and configure software products and applications. The new Installer provides new features for software products, such as installing products using command lines and increasing user customization.)