A , also known as an "online installer" or "stub installer," is a lightweight executable file designed to initiate a software installation by downloading the necessary components from the internet in real-time. Unlike a traditional "offline" or "full" installer, which contains all program files within a single large package, a web installer acts as a gateway that fetches only the specific bits required for a user's system. How a Web Installer Works
The most significant downside is the absolute requirement for an internet connection. If a user is in a remote location, behind a restrictive corporate firewall, or simply has an unstable connection, a web installer is useless. In these cases, a standalone "offline installer" is preferred. web installer
| Scenario | Recommended installer | |----------|------------------------| | You have fast, unlimited internet | Web installer | | You’re installing on one or two PCs | Web installer | | You need to install on many offline machines | Offline installer | | You’re preserving a specific version for legacy software | Offline installer | | You’re on a slow or metered connection | Offline installer (if available) | A , also known as an "online installer"
Microsoft uses this heavily for Visual Studio and .NET Frameworks. While the UI is clean, the "Retrieving..." phase can often hang if a firewall blocks the connection, leaving average users confused as to why the installation stopped before it began. If a user is in a remote location,