Multi-platform application installation

A method of installing a software application, the method comprising:

• launching an application installer to install the software application;
• while the application installer is installing the software application, receiving information about a file to launch during the installation of the software application;
• determining a launching application that can launch the file;
• requesting a launching command from an operating system, the application installer running on the operating system;
• and
• launching the application to open the file.

An apparatus for configuring a software installer, the apparatus comprising:

• means for launching the software installer;
• means for receiving a request to launch a file while the software installer is running;
• means for the software installer to access an application launch facility to determine a launching command for launching the file;
• means for executing the launching command to obtain an installation key;
• and
• means for the software installer to install a software product based on data provided by the installation key.

An article of manufacture for configuring a software installer, the article comprising:

• a machine readable medium that provides instructions that, if executed by a machine, will cause the machine to perform operations including:
• launching the software installer;
• receiving a request to launch a file while the software installer is running;
• the software installer accessing an application launch facility to determine a launching command for launching the file;
• executing the launching command to obtain an installation key;
• and
• the software installer installing a software product based on data provided by the installation key.