Update Windows Installer with a new Constructor-Based Workflow

.gitignore

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+**/*.exe
+!new-*/**/*.vbs
+!new-*/**/*.bat
+!new-*/**/*.yaml
+!new-*/**/*.ps1
+!new-*/**/*.ico
+!new-*/**/*.png
+!new-*/**/*.jpg
+!new-*/**/*.jpeg
+!new-*/**/*.bmp
+!new-*/**/*.txt

How to create installer.md

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+Windows Installer
+==================
+These are instructions to create installer for Osdag version 2026.02.0.0 and above for Windows.
+
+## 1. Prepare Build Environment
+Create and activate a clean build environment:
+```
+conda create -n bld-env python=3.12
+conda activate bld-env
+conda install constructor -c conda-forge
+
+```
+## 2. Ensure Osdag Conda Package Exists
+Before building the installer:
+- Build the Osdag conda package.
+- Upload it to osdag-admin conda channel.
+- Confirm the correct version is available:
+```
+conda search osdag -c osdag
+```
+
+## 3. Project Structure
+Constructor project directory(new-constructor-installer) should contains:
+```
+constructor-installer/
+│
+├── construct.yaml
+├── license.txt
+├── Osdag.ico
+├── post_install.bat
+├── pre_uninstall.bat
+├── create_shortcuts.ps1
+├── remove_shortcuts.ps1
+├── launch_osdag.vbs
+```
+No need to manually bundle anything, Constructor resolves and bundles everything from conda packages automatically.
+
+## 4. Build Installer
+Activate environment, go to Contructor project drectory and run constructor 
+```
+conda activate bld-env
+cd \path\to\WindowsInstaller\new-contructor-installer
+constructor .
+```
+The .exe installer will be created in the current directory.
+
+## 5. Customizing Installer UI (Removing Default Header/Welcome Image)
+Constructor internally generates an NSIS script from:
+```
+<conda_env>\Lib\site-packages\constructor\nsis\main.nsi.tmpl
+```
+If you want to remove the default welcome and header images:
+#### 1. Open
+```
+<conda_env>\Lib\site-packages\constructor\nsis\main.nsi.tmpl
+```
+#### 2. Comment out lines:
+- 197–199
+- 197–199
+These correspond to default welcome/header image definitions.
+#### 3. Save the file.
+#### 4. Save the file.
+```
+constructor .
+```
+## 6. Shortcut and Registry Management
+Shortcuts and uninstall entries are handled via:
+- `post_install.bat`
+- `pre_uninstall.bat`
+- `create_shortcuts.ps1`
+- `remove_shortcuts.ps1`
+
+All-users installs use HKLM (64-bit registry view). All-users installs use HKLM (64-bit registry view).
+
+## 7 What Is No Longer Required
+The following legacy steps are removed:
+
+- ❌ Manual Miniconda bundling
+- ❌ Manual dependency copying
+- ❌ Manual LaTeX packaging
+- ❌ PyInstaller wrapping of installer components
+- ❌ Writing full NSIS script manually
+
+## 8. Summary
+Old workflow:
+`Manual NSIS + Miniconda + dependency packaging + source bundling.`
+New workflow:
+`Conda package → Constructor → Installer.`
+
+Cleaner. Reproducible. Maintainable.

README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+# Windows Installer
+
+This installer installs **Osdag** along with all required runtime
+dependencies using a constructor-based bundled Conda environment.
+
+Unlike earlier versions, this installer does **not** separately install
+Miniconda or MiKTeX through manual steps. All required dependencies are
+bundled and configured automatically.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+## System Requirements
+
+### Supported Windows Operating Systems
+
+-   Windows 10\
+-   Windows 11
+
+> Older versions (Vista, 7, 8, 8.1) are no longer officially supported.
+
+### Supported Architecture
+
+-   64-bit only
+
+### RAM and Storage
+
+-   **Minimum RAM:** 4 GB
+-   **Recommended RAM:** 8 GB or higher
+-   **Minimum Disk Space:** 12 GB
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+## Uninstalling Earlier Versions of Osdag
+
+If a previous version of Osdag is installed, it is strongly recommended
+to uninstall it before installing a new version.
+
+### Method 1 (Recommended)
+
+1.  Open **Control Panel → Programs and Features**
+2.  Select **Osdag**
+3.  Click **Uninstall**
+
+### Method 2
+
+1.  Navigate to the installation directory
+
+2.  Run:
+
+        Uninstall-Osdag.exe
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+## Installation Steps
+
+1.  Download the installer:
+
+        Osdag-<Version>-Windows-x86_64.exe
+
+2.  Double-click the installer to start installation.
+
+3.  Follow the on-screen instructions:
+
+    -   Click **Next**
+    -   Read and accept the license agreement
+    -   Choose installation scope:
+        -   *Just Me* (recommended)
+        -   *All Users* (requires administrator privileges)
+    -   Select installation directory
+    -   Click **Install**
+
+4.  Wait for installation to complete.
+
+    > Installation may take several minutes as the Conda environment is
+    > being configured.
+
+5.  Click **Finish** once installation completes.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+## What Happens During Installation
+
+The installer automatically:
+
+-   Creates a dedicated Conda runtime environment
+-   Installs Osdag and its dependencies
+-   Configures required Python packages
+-   Sets up shortcuts (if selected) via post_install script
+-   Registers Osdag in Windows Programs and Features
+
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+## Running Osdag
+
+After installation, Osdag can be launched using any of the following
+methods:
+
+1.  Double-click the **Desktop shortcut**
+
+2.  Press the **Windows key** and search for `Osdag`
+
+3.  Navigate to the installation directory and run:
+
+        Osdag.exe
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+## Notes
+
+-   For system-wide installation, administrative privileges are
+    required.
+-   The installer automatically handles registry entries and
+    uninstallation metadata.
+-   The installed size is visible in **Control Panel → Programs and
+    Features**.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+If installation fails:
+
+1.  Ensure sufficient disk space is available.
+2.  Run the installer as Administrator (for All Users install).
+3.  Temporarily disable antivirus software if it interferes with
+    execution.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+## Contact
+
+For support and updates:\
+https://osdag.fossee.in