I used Visual Studio 2015 InstallShield Limited Edition Project to create my application setup.
My application must be installed api.msi, .net3.5 and .net4.5 to be exeuted.
In "Specify Application Data->Redistributables", I only can add .net3.5 and .net 4.5 to my setup. but i can't add api.msi to Redistributables.
How do i add api.msi to Redistributables?
this is my Redistributables
I hope the installation steps are as follows
run setup->set install path->install .net(3.5 and 4.5) & api.msi & application.
Best way to do it is by creating merge module and add it to your project for details refer the link
InstallShield can include either merge modules or prerequisites, but the Limited and Express editions do not include the capabilities to build either. Both options are available with the Professional and higher editions, and other tools may be able to create merge modules.
You can download an eval copy of InstallShield and throw it on a VM. Build your setup prereq file (.PRQ) for it. Copy the PRQ and api.msi to your machine with InstallShield LE and consume it.
You can read more about how to author a PRQ here: (Disclosure: My blog article from 11 years ago)
http://iswix.com/2006/11/21/using-installshield-12-to-install-net-framework-3-0/
I maintain an open source project called IsWiX that creates graphical UIs for managing XML documents. I thought about creating a tool to maintain PRQ files. It would only take me a day to write it but I was concerned Flexera might get really irritated. :)
Related
Currently, i'm using the following installer: Microsoft Visual Studio Installer Projects 2022. I've also seen the wix installer (WIX TOOLSET). But none of the installers i've seen has the option (at least I couldn't find in the documentation) to download the full App after you run the installer. I'm developing a self-contained WPF Desktop App that is too big, so I would like the installer to be a smaller size, and then after the user downloads the installer and runs it, then it will download all the files of my WPF App. Does anyone knows a installer for that?
We call that a web installer. You can probably create it with the support for Bundles in Wix, but I don't have a complete example on this so you will need to dig more if you want to use Wix Toolset. I don't know if this is supported with the Microsoft VS Installer Project.
I work on the team building Advanced Installer (disclaimer). In this article we explain how you can create a web installer with just a few clicks. First, you need a create a Professional project (this feature is not available in the Free edition) and add your files in the project.
You can skip most of the steps from the Professional tutorial linked above if you don't need them. TO test your web installer you basically need to add the files and make the configurations described in the first article, in Builds page.
If you're application is split in multiple features, it is highly recommend you enable the option "One CAB per feature" from Builds page, so the installer will only download the binaries corespondent to the features selected by the user, thus reducing the download size and speeding up the installation.
I want to create an installer file that includes installer file for SQL Server and a C# project so that user don't have to do it separately.
I have seen a few solutions but want to get recommendations for the best possible solution available in market.
Some previous answers you can check:
List View of Common Windows Installer Deployment Tools
How to create windows installer (with links to non-Windows Installer tools as well)
Commercial deployment tools Advanced Installer and Installshield have some built-in support to install various prerequisites such as SQL Server Express - a quick description here. The open source and free WiX with its Burn component also allows you to install prerequisites, but you have to write XML markup code to accomplish the task. No real GUI apart from Visual Studio as editor (or another editor for that matter).
Some Links:
How to create a MSI file which simply copies a directory to Program Files?
Wrap C# application in .msi installer
Application setup
Please, Is there any book or tutorial for deploying .Net Windows Application/Assemblies.
I required In-Depth tutorial for .Net Application Deployment.
If you are looking to produce an MSI redistributable installer for your clients, or Group Policy deployment then I'd recommend learning the WiX system.
The Visual Studio Setup Project is no longer supported in VS11 (VS2012) and the free InstallShield alternative has less features than the VS10 setup project.
Go here http://wixtoolset.org/ and here: http://wix.tramontana.co.hu/tutorial/getting-started/the-software-package to learn how the XML file is constructed, then start adding your files into the WiX package.
The toolset http://wixtoolset.org/releases/v3.6/stable download includes a VS11 project template which integrates nicely with VS and whatever source control you're using.
Hope this helps a bit!
Follow this. You will be able to deploy with Setup Projects
http://documentation.devexpress.com/#xaf/CustomDocument3235
I'm on a mobile phone so I cannot provide you with a link but all you need to do is copy the executable out of the bin folder in your project.
Deploying A C# Application (Visual Studio Setup Project)
I have found a lot of programs to make an installation package for .net application but non of them meet my requirements.
I'm looking for a free application which is able to create installation and uninstallation package and is able to check if net framework and sql 2008 Redistributable is installed if not application should be able to install them first and then start application installation process
Take a look at Wix.
It is free, but the initial learning curve may be a little bit harder then other programms. The output of WiX is a *.msi package.
I recommend Inno Setup - I compared it once with NSIS and found it more usable. It suports scripting, and you will find example scripts for installation of .NET and other redistributables through the search engine of your choice.
Did you try installer, that is shipped with visual studio? If it is very simple, try Wix. Aslo, consider NSIS.
Or Windows Installer?
If you have Visual Studio installed then you can simply create a setup project within your solution. If not, then download from the above link (or fine the appropriate version to download) and utilise the set creation application manually.
i like to setup for my project i did my project in Microsoft visual studio c#.net 2008, where i have start for that
I'm surprised noone has mentioned this yet:
Windows Installer XML (WiX) toolset
Open source, from Microsoft. (Yes, you read that right).
Free to use, yet very capable (used to create the Microsoft Office 2007 installer).
Based on commandline tools, so easily integrated into a build system.
My speculation: Since Rob Mensching (the primary author) has just moved into the Visual Studio team at Microsoft, this is likely to be directly supported (in some form) in the version of Visual Studio following 2010.
Update: An interesting interview with Rob Mensching on Hanselminutes. On the show, Rob talks about how WiX is more than 10 years old, though the first public release was April 5, 2004.
Are you looking for an installer you can use the following free tools, if you want to pay, install shield is good:
Built into VS:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms173084(VS.80).aspx
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2kt85ked(VS.80).aspx
Other free tools:
http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Main_Page
http://www.installjammer.com/
Install shield:
http://www.flexerasoftware.com/products/installshield.htm
Wise:
http://www.wise.com/Products/Installations/WiseInstallerEvaluations.aspx
You will have to add a new Setup and Deployment project to your solution. Here is a nice step by step instructions.
Note: Which version of VS are you using? I am not sure whether this project type is available in Express Edition.
I use Inno Setup with ISTool (both are free) to create setup for my .NET C# applications.
Play around with ISTool and simply include your application files into the setup. Then configure to Download and install .NET redistributable and other components when required.