INSTALLATIO

N TESTING

WHAT IS INSTALLATION
TESTING?
Also called as
implementation
testing

First users
interaction with
the system

To ensure that
hardware and
software are
installed and
configured
properly

Types of installation
testing
Native

installation
Interactive
Silent
installation
Installs the
installation
software
The GUI
It does not send
installation of
messages to the application using
the OS
software
console, silent
installation
application
installation
utilities. It also where user sees
verifies that
verifies that the
a installation
messages and
installation of
screen and
errors are stored
native packages
provides the
properly in log
such as rpm
installation
files. Response
parameters
files are used for files, Solaris pkg
files, AIX install
data input.
files for Linux.

Types of installation testing

Automatic
Remote
Manual
installation
installation
installation
An installation
A type of
It is a case
that does not
installation
when the
require any user
when the
software
actions except
control is
installation is
its starting
performed from
performed
(password
the remote
without the
entering,
computer that
installer help or
license
is connected via
requires
agreement
LAN or serial
considerable
acceptance,
cable.
user
etc.).
participation.

What
platforms
and
operating
systems
are
supported?

How will
bethe
software
distributed
?

Factors
Affecting
Type of
Installation
Testing

Who will
perform
the
software
installatio
n?

Does
the
installer
is able
to
calculat
e
needed
disk
space?

Is the
applicatio
n
installed
properly
for each
type of
installatio
n?
(typical,
custom
and
complete)

Does the
installati
on
recover
in case
an error
is met
during
the
installati
on?

Questi
ons

Does
running
two
instances
of the
installer
should
prompt a
message
to the user
that an
installatio
n setup is
already
running?
Are all the
files
installed in
the
respective
folders
and path?

Does
installati
on over
network
working?

INSTALLATION TESTING
CHECKLIST
Product Installer
should check for
the pre-requisites
needed for the
software.
Product Installer
should give user the
default install
location of the
software
Installer should
allow user to change
the install location
Over the network
installation should
be supported.

Un-installation should
happen successfully and all
the installed files should get
cleaned up from the install
location, also registry entry
should get removed.
Installer should give
option to repair or
uninstall
Installation should
be successful on all
the supported
platforms.
Try installing the
software without
administrative
privileges

Silent installation
should be
successful
Native
installation
should be
successful

EXAMPLES OF INSTALLATION TESTING

DONE
Try to install the program package with the
disabled internet connection.
Program Check if it is possible to reuse the same license
Packages key on several machines.
If the system already has another antivirus
application installed, the launched installation
must warn the user about the possible conflict
Antivirus with the installed antivirus and propose to
software remove it or to cancel the installation.

Mail
Clients

Check various configurations: type of the server

access protocol (POP, IMAP4, MAPI), type of
authentication and the connection port.

Drivers

Make sure in the operability of the device after

installation, in case the OS installs standard
drivers for it automatically.
Test the incompatibility of drivers and the thirdparty driver installation in case you use
Hardware Installation wizard when a user is
proposed to choose driver and device it will be
installed for.

CONCLUSION

To perform
installation
testing, it is
necessary to
consider the
following:
type of the
installation being
tested
particularities of
the application
which installation
must be tested
features of the