Very Basic VB.NET Deployment Question

chakotha

Forgive me for being dense. Forum search results didn't address such a basic matter.

Suppose I have an extremely simple windows form app. (1 form)

I am trying to deploy it for use on another computer.

I go File > Add Project > New Project > Setup & Deployment Projects > Setup Project > OK

I haven't got the Setup Wizard here as I am using the Standard Edition.

Now I see a File System Window containing 3 folders, Application Folder, User's Desktop, User's Programs Menu for target machine and I am not sure how to proceed.

I tried a few things like opening the User's Desktop folder, right clicking, choosing Add > Project Output > Primary Output

If I Save All and Exit, the file WindowsApplication1.exe in \bin runs if I move it to another location. No setup/installer has been created though. Is that it? What if I have an Access database in \bin?

ressem

Add the primary output and dependencies of your main project to the application folder of the set-up project.

Build the set-up project, as you would with your code.

It'll create files in your setup projects debug/release folder called

InstMsiA.Exe
InstMsiW.Exe
Setup.Exe
Setup.Ini
Setup1.msi (or whatever you called it)

Deploy these + the appropriate Net framework installer if required.

>> What if I have an Access database in \bin?
?
If you're bundling and MDB then add it to the application folder like any other resources. (Or make up yet another target folder in the set-up project view )
It doesn't make a difference to the build.

chakotha

Great that worked thanks ressem - pretty cool!!

Must go add a database.