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.
Related
I have database,images and text files in my project and i would like to make instalation..
Also I would like to put prerequirements so that people who install this must install version of .net framework i used in my project
What is the best way to achieve that?
UPDATE:
I wanted to use microsoft visual studio installer but it doesnt work .. it doenst create exe file and i cant open app
I've personally used NSIS for making installers. It has an extensible scripting bit to put whatever prerequisites you need(TOS, EULA, ect.) and it can easily create a professional looking installer.
Try using Inno Setup. It has a good scripting language along with a wizard if you don't want to script. It's also free (unless you are deploying commercial applications).
Is there a Installer-Tool that does require any tool to be installed?
I do not have admin privileges on my build-agent (vsts hosted agent) but still want a normal installer.
I am currently using ClickOnce but that needs so many workarounds that I don't really like it.
I know of Installers like WIX or VS Setup Projects but those don't work without WIX Toolkit or Visual Studio.
I hope anyone has an idea or I will have to do it manually.
You may want to look into Squirrel. It's an open-source (free) installation and update framework for Windows desktop apps.
Advanced Installer is another solution for application packaging and deployment on Windows.
WiX can be pulled into a build server without requiring admin privs. It has a nuget package just for this purpose.
https://www.nuget.org/packages/WiX/
That will require you to not run MSI validation though so be careful.
Also note that WiX does not need VS. VS Setup does though.
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. :)
I am looking for some general feedback here. I have a very simple application that I created in VC# Express 2008, with no special dependencies.
Now, I am going to release it as open source, and am curious as to how I should deploy it. Do I need to create an installer package with any dll's? Should I just zip up the *.exe file with a README?
Also, how should I go about handling the requirement for the .NET framework that a C# program needs?
You can use WiX. That will handle .Net framework dependency.
Updated: As an open source project you don't need to include setup application. It is extra (fancy staff).
The express versions only include the Publish option (Click Once). I would advice to read the EULA first, there are restrictions on distributing applications made with the Express versions.
Also see this SO question.
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.