Paquet Builder 2026 is now available, marking the most significant update to our Windows installer builder since its original release. This version introduces AI-driven project configuration, native ARM64 support, and a redesigned architecture that brings Paquet Builder into the modern development workflow.
AI Meets Installer Development
The headline feature is a built-in AI assistant that lets developers configure installer projects through natural language. Instead of navigating menus and dialogs, you can describe what you need — set the output path, add registry entries, configure silent install flags — and the assistant handles it. It works with major LLM providers including OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, and Google Gemini. Local LLMs are supported too.
For teams running automated pipelines, Paquet Builder 2026 also ships with a standalone MCP server exposing over 20 commands. This means AI coding assistants like Claude Code or Cursor can query and modify installer projects programmatically — opening up entirely new workflows for developers and DevOps teams.
Native ARM64 Installers
With Windows on ARM gaining traction through Snapdragon-powered devices, Paquet Builder 2026 can now produce native ARM64 installers alongside traditional x86 and x64 builds. End users get a smooth installation experience without emulation overhead.
Smarter Installation Scope
A new scope system replaces manual per-user vs. all-users configuration. Choose from five modes — Current User, All Users, User Choice, Automatic, or None — and Paquet Builder adjusts file paths, shortcuts, and registry entries accordingly. Less manual setup, fewer deployment mistakes.
Modern Installer Dialogs with WebView2
Installer dialogs can now leverage Microsoft’s WebView2 engine, bringing full HTML/CSS rendering to setup screens. Custom fonts, responsive layouts, and modern web design are all on the table — with automatic fallback to legacy markdown-based rendering on systems without WebView2.
Vendor-Neutral Code Signing
JSign integration provides a flexible alternative for code signing. It supports PFX certificates, hardware security tokens, and cloud key vaults from multiple providers — giving teams more options beyond platform-specific signing tools.
A New Foundation
Under the hood, the project format has been rebuilt from scratch. The new .pbpx format is directory-based rather than archive-based, producing meaningful diffs that work naturally with Git and other version control systems. The console compiler now outputs structured JSON and returns standardized exit codes for CI/CD integration.
Installers have now full support for extended file paths up to 2,048 characters (long pathnames).
Upgrade or Try It
👉 Paquet Builder 2026 is available now as a free download. Existing customers can upgrade through the customer portal. If your maintenance plan is active, simply download the new version and it will replace your previous installation. If your maintenance has expired, you can renew it at a discounted rate.
