Arlington HTML2EXE Wizard: Step‑by‑Step Tutorial for Beginners

Arlington HTML2EXE Wizard: Step‑by‑Step Tutorial for BeginnersArlington HTML2EXE Wizard is a tool designed to wrap HTML content into a standalone Windows executable (EXE). For beginners, this tutorial explains what the tool does, when to use it, how to prepare your files, and walks through each step of creating a simple executable from an HTML page. The guide also covers common options, troubleshooting tips, and basic distribution considerations.

What is Arlington HTML2EXE Wizard?

Arlington HTML2EXE Wizard converts HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and associated assets into a single Windows executable. The resulting EXE bundles a lightweight browser engine (often a WebView or Chromium-based component) and your files so users can run your site or app without a separate web server or browser setup.

Primary use cases:

• Distributing small web-based tools or documentation as a single executable.
• Creating offline demos or kiosks from HTML content.
• Packaging interactive tutorials, help files, or internal utilities for Windows users.

Before you start: Preparing your project

1. Project folder

   • Create a clean project folder with a clear structure:
     • index.html (entry page)
     • css/ (stylesheets)
     • js/ (scripts)
     • assets/ (images, fonts)
   • Use relative paths in your HTML so resources remain valid when bundled.

2. Test locally

   • Open index.html in a browser to ensure everything works offline.
   • Fix missing assets, broken links, or cross-origin requests.

3. Simplify dependencies

   • Avoid external CDN links where possible. Bundle necessary libraries locally.
   • If you must use remote resources, confirm the runtime environment will have internet access.

4. Licensing and security

   • Verify licenses for any third-party libraries you ship.
   • Avoid embedding sensitive credentials or secrets in the code.

Step‑by‑step: Creating an EXE with Arlington HTML2EXE Wizard

1. Install and launch the Wizard

   • Download and install Arlington HTML2EXE Wizard from the official source (follow their installation instructions).
   • Run the application; the Wizard interface should present a series of guided steps.

2. New project / Select input folder

   • Choose “New Project” (or equivalent).
   • Point the Wizard to your project folder (the folder containing index.html).

3. Configure the entry page

   • Confirm the entry file (typically index.html). This is the page the EXE will open on launch.
   • If your project uses a different start page, select it here.

4. Select the runtime engine / Browser mode

   • Pick the embedded browser engine option offered (for example, a lightweight WebView or a Chromium engine). Options may affect binary size and feature support (modern JS, WebGL, etc.).
   • For most modern web apps, choose the Chromium-based option if available.

5. Windowing and UX settings

   • Set window title, initial size (width × height), resizability, and whether controls (minimize/maximize/close) are shown.
   • Choose fullscreen/kiosk mode if the app will run on dedicated terminals.

6. Menu, toolbar, and navigation

   • Enable or disable navigation elements (address bar, back/forward buttons).
   • Configure whether keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+R, F11) are allowed.

7. Start-up behavior and splash screen

   • Optionally add a splash screen or loading screen image and set its display duration.
   • Configure a custom icon for the EXE (use .ico files for best compatibility).

8. File access and local APIs

   • If your HTML uses local files (reading/writing), grant the necessary permissions in the Wizard.
   • Configure any available bridge APIs (JavaScript-to-native) and expose only the functions you need.

9. Compression & resource embedding

   • Choose whether to compress bundled files to reduce EXE size. Note that compression may increase memory use at runtime.
   • Decide if assets should remain externally unpacked or fully embedded in the EXE.

10. Build options and signing

    • Select debug or release build. Release builds typically strip debug information and optimize size.
    • If you distribute broadly, consider code signing your EXE with a valid certificate to reduce Windows SmartScreen warnings.

11. Build and test

    • Start the build process. The Wizard will package the files and create the EXE.
    • Run the EXE on your development machine and on a clean test machine (or VM) to check runtime behavior.

Common options explained (short)

• Embedded engine choice: determines modern web API support and file size.
• Kiosk mode: locks the app into fullscreen and may hide system UI—useful for public terminals.
• Local file permissions: needed for reading/writing user files; grant sparingly for security.
• Compression: lowers download size but can affect startup time.
• Code signing: improves trust; requires an external certificate from a CA.

Troubleshooting

• Blank screen or white page:
  • Check console logs if the Wizard offers a debug console.
  • Confirm that index.html and referenced assets are included in the package with correct relative paths.
• Missing fonts or images:
  • Ensure font files and images are in the project folder and referenced locally.
• Features not working (WebGL, advanced APIs):
  • Switch to a more capable embedded engine (Chromium) if available.
• EXE flagged by antivirus:
  • Digitally sign the EXE and distribute via trusted channels; submit false-positive reports to AV vendors if needed.
• Runtime errors using native bridges:
  • Verify bridge methods are registered and called with correct parameters; enable debug logs.

Basic distribution tips

• Code signing reduces security warnings and improves user trust.
• Provide a small README with system requirements (Windows version, prerequisites).
• Offer checksums (SHA-256) for downloadable EXEs so users can verify integrity.
• Consider using an installer (MSI or setup EXE) if you need shortcuts, uninstall support, or registry entries.

Example quick checklist before building

• [ ] index.html works offline in a browser
• [ ] All assets use relative paths
• [ ] No embedded secrets or sensitive data
• [ ] Appropriate embedded engine selected
• [ ] Icon and splash screen set (optional)
• [ ] Code signing planned for distribution (recommended)

If you want, I can:

• Convert a sample HTML project into specific build settings for the Wizard,
• Provide a minimal sample project structure (index.html + assets) to test with,
• or create a short troubleshooting checklist tailored to a problem you’re seeing.