How to turn a Netbeans project into .exe?

Question

I wanted to know if there was a way to convert the existing Netbeans projects into an installable .exe file so that it can be installed and used standalone?

If so, how?

I program using Java.

Answer 1

You can use external tools like NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System).

As an alternative, you can create and maintain a Izpack installer :

• there is a (old) NetBeans plugin : http://plugins.netbeans.org/plugin/6689/nizpack
• in addition, you'll find many tutorials on how to generate an EXE file for Izpack installers and embed a JRE

Answer 2

There are several people having this exact same question on stackoverflow:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/516399/how-do-i-create-an-exe-for-a-java-program http://stackoverflow.com/questions/147181/how-can-i-convert-my-java-program-to-an-exe-file http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2011664/compiling-a-java-program-into-an-exe

Personally, I have used Jsmooth and Launch4j. They both worked okay, but not without a lot of fiddling, and when I went to show other people what to do, the same configurations would mysteriously stop working. You can set it up to include a JVM so they don't require Java, but if you do, the size of the .exe will be much much larger.

Answer 3

Are you talking about the artifact that is produced - your Jar file ? If so take a look at http://izpack.org ; If all you are looking at is getting your application shipped to your customer as a installable bundle, izpack should do the trick.

Making an exe out of your executable is not the recommended way to solve this.