\C{var} Variables

\H{var1} Modifiable variables used in Instructions

\e{$INSTDIR}

The installation directory ($INSTDIR is modifiable using StrCpy, ReadRegStr, ReadINIStr, etc. - This could be used, for example, in the .onInit function to do a more advanced detection of install location).  

\e{$OUTDIR}

The current output directory (set implicitly via SetOutPath or explicitly via StrCpy, ReadRegStr, ReadINIStr, etc)  

\e{$0, $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $R0, $R1, $R2, $R3, $R4, $R5, $R6, $R7, $R8, $R9}

User variables (set via StrCpy, ReadRegStr, ReadINIStr, etc, and use like any other variable). It is recommended (but not required) that you use $R1-$R9 as local registers, and $0-$9 as global values. Note that any function that lets you specify one of these variables as an output, can use $INSTDIR or $OUTDIR as well (but has different implications).  

\e{$CMDLINE}

The command line of the installer. The format of the command line can be one of the following:

\b "full\\path to\\installer.exe" PARAMETER PARAMETER PARAMETER 

\b installer.exe PARAMETER PARAMETER PARAMETER 

\b For parsing out the PARAMETER portion, see GetParameters on the utility functions page. It's worth noting that if /D= is specified on the command line (to override the install directory), it won't be in $CMDLINE.  

\e{$LANGUAGE}

The identifier of the language that is currently used. For example, English is 1033. You can change this variable in .onInit.  

\H{var2} Constant Variables used in Instructions and InstallDir

\e{$PROGRAMFILES}

The program files directory (usually C:\\Program Files but detected at runtime).  

\e{$DESKTOP} 

The windows desktop directory (usually C:\\windows\\desktop but detected at runtime). The context of this variable (All Users or Current user) depends on the SetShellVarContext setting. The default is the current user.  

\e{$EXEDIR} 

The location of the installer executable. (technically you can modify this variable, but it is probably not a good idea)  

\e{$\{NSISDIR\}} 

A symbol that contains the path where NSIS is installed.  

\e{$WINDIR} 

The windows directory (usually C:\\windows or C:\\winnt but detected at runtime)  

\e{$SYSDIR} 

The windows system directory (usually C:\\windows\\system or C:\\winnt\\system32 but detected at runtime)  

\e{$TEMP} 

The system temporary directory (usually C:\\windows\\temp but detected at runtime)  

\e{$STARTMENU} 

The start menu folder (useful in adding start menu items using CreateShortCut)  

\e{$SMPROGRAMS} 

The start menu programs folder (use this whenever you want $STARTMENU\\Programs). The context of this variable (All Users or Current user) depends on the SetShellVarContext setting. The default is the current user.  

\e{$SMSTARTUP} 

The start menu programs / startup folder. The context of this variable (All Users or Current user) depends on the SetShellVarContext setting. The default is the current user.  

\e{$QUICKLAUNCH} 

The quick launch folder for IE4 active desktop and above. If quick launch is not available, simply returns the same as $TEMP. The context of this variable (All Users or Current user) depends on the SetShellVarContext setting. The default is the current user.  

\e{$HWNDPARENT} 

The decimal HWND of the parent window.  

\e{$$} 

Use to represent $.  

\H{var3} Variables used Strings 

\e{$\\r} 

Use to represent a carriage return (\\r).  

\e{$\\n} 

Use to represent a newline (\\n).  

\e{$\{SYMBOL\}}

Where SYMBOL is the name of something globally defined, this will be replaced with the value of that symbol. If the symbol is not defined, no replace occurs (i.e. if $\{POOP\} is encountered, and POOP is not defined, $\{POOP\} is output).