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Thinstall packages an application and all of the files it uses into a single executable that can be run without installation. Thinstall works completely in user space, rather than as a device driver, which means it can run on all versions of Windows 95+, and without requiring Administrator rights or a system reboot. Thistall works in Guest and Restricted User accounts without any prior installation or permissions required.

The process for using Thinstall occurs in three stages:
· Link stage
o During the link stage, Thinstall compresses all application files, supporting runtime files, any required registry settings, and a copy of the Thinstall Virtual Machine. Thinstall creates a new virtual machine which has the same icon as your original application.


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· Load stage
o During the load stage, Thinstall decompresses your first EXE or DLL file into memory


· Runtime Environment
o During the run stage, the program is executed normally. When the program makes calls to rerouted Windows API calls, Thinstall performs the required operations and returns the result to the application. Some of the operations Thinstall performs on behalf of your program include:
§ Process Creation, Loading, Tracing, and Shutdown (ShellExecute, CreateProcess, Debug API, etc)
§ DLL/OCX Loading and tracing
· Thread management and tracking for DllMain entry points
· Thread local storage allocation and callbacks
· Lifetime tracking and memory allocation
· DLL Dependency checking and loading
§ File Activity emulation
§ Memory mapped file emulation
§ Resource function emulation (Icons, Bitmaps, Strings, Dialogs, etc)