circular map icon  PlasmidTools Software

About installation

The PlasmidToolsWpf installer does not upgrade earlier versions of PlasmidTools version 2.0.1.0 or older. Uninstall such versions of PlasmidTools before installing newer versions.

Uninstalling PlasmidTools will not affect data files or PlasmidTools databases. These will be registred and operative after a new install. It is safe to uninstall and reinstall PlasmidTools.

The PlasmidTools installer is signed with a self-signed certificate, which means that Windows will say 'unknown publisher' during installation. However, the installer is signed with an encrypted key and protected against tampering, exactly as if the certificate came from a certificate authority (CA). The only difference is that the authors credentials (name, address, mobile number etc.) has not been verified by a third party.

In order to have the most fluid installation, copy or move the unzipped 'PlasmidToolsSetup' directory to a removable storage device (USB/memory stick, CD, DVD, ..), and start installation from the removable device: double-click "setup.exe", or if you have administrator privileges, right-clich and choose 'Run as administrator'. Confirm to install even if the author's name cannot be verified. In Windows 10 (and possibly also 8, 8.1 and 11), you may have to click on a 'More info' link in a pop-up window to proceed with installation.

Continue to use the same disk location for the "PlasmidToolsSetup" directory in future upgrades (for example 'E:\PlasmidToolsSetup').

Potential installation issues

Invalid digital signature

If installation stops with a warning or error concerning an invalid digital signature, it may be that your Windows operating system is unable to read the digital certificate used by the installer. A digital certificate may use SHA-1 (128 bit) or SHA-2 (256 bit) encryption, the PlasmidTools installer is SHA-2. SHA-2 encryption is included in Windows 8.1 to 11. Windows 7 and 8 usually receives it from Windows Update automatically. If not, it must be installed by user.

PlasmidTools file icons not showing in Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer shows a generic file icon in front of PlasmidTools files instead of PlasmidTools icons.This may be caused by the installer having a self-signed certificate which may not grant the installer sufficient priveleges to change system settings. A solution may be to install an earlier version of PlasmidTools Wpf signed with a commercially obtained certificate, which will implement system settings. Then uninstall it and install latest version.

  1. Uninstall PlamidTools Wpf
  2. Install earlier version (ver. 2.0.1.0)
  3. Uninstall PlasmidTools Wpf
  4. Download and install latest version of PlasmidTools Wpf

PlasmidTools file types must be set to open in the "File association icon ClickOnce Application Deployment Support Library" in order to be opened from Windows Explorer by a double-click.