How do you compile and export a finished C# program in Visual Studio in a single executable?
As soon as you press the compile button an executable file is created inside the bin/debug-folder of where you save your project. Unless you've created a class-library the program is just that one .exe file. For every class-library you create there will be a .dll file so as long as you don't use class-libraries you'll be fine.
You can merge libraries into your exe using a variety of tools.
See Merging dlls into a single .exe with wpf for an example.
Related
I have a simple Windows Forms project in C#.
I want to be able to turn this into an EXE file to be able to give this out to some of my friends. I am using Visual Studio 2019.
Before you say that there is an application file in the bin/debug folder, yes, I know that. The thing is that I want to be able to create this into just one file where they won't be able to access the code.
If you want a 100% portable application :
Install the Nuget Package Costura.Fody.
It will add all the dependencies directly into the .exe so that there are no separate .dlls or other files apart from it.
Change the output to Release and generate your project (run it or CTRL + B)
Go to your project folder / bin / release and there is the .exe
Profit.
when building my project (WPF), VisualStudio outputs the exe along with all dlls for the project.
Which, in itself, is a good thing. I on the other hand have just a really small application written and I'd like to just give this exe to my friends so they double click it and voilá.
Is there any way to force VS to "package" all that output into one single executable? Like, when you download an exe, open it and there's your program?
Cheers
I have a solution with 3 projects in visual studio where one is wpf and the 2 other are console. The wpf project is built without problems as exe file but the two console projects get built as dll file but I need all projects as exe not dll file.
You can configure the output of the build process on the project preference page.
Keep in mind that converting from dll to .exe put some constraints as for example it needs to have a Main method.
In VS 2015/2017 you need to change project output type. Right click on project->Properties->Application->Output type->Console Application.
I am using c# Desktop base application in Visual Studio 2008 which is zip maker so i want to make .exe file must run without installing it. So can anyone help me to do this?
I want to include all .dll file in that exe and want to run it without installing it.
ILMerge allows you to package your dependent DLLs into your .exe file.
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/people/mbarnett/ilmerge.aspx
By default VS makes .exe file goto your project debug folder and use it.
As an alternative to ILMerge, you can package you DLLs as an embedded resource and load them on demand.
See http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2010/02/03/jeffrey-richter-excerpt-2-from-clr-via-c-third-edition.aspx
Click on Build!
The Exe is created in the "\bin\Debug" Folder.
Copy the Exe From the "\bin\Debug" Folder.
If more Dll's are present use IlMerge to pack all the dll and exe to one file.
An alternative to IlMerge is .NETZ
Use the new exe without installation!
I programmed an hour-sheet application and now I would like to publish it so people can install and run it.
I've tried the publish function of visual studio 2008 but this gives me a clickOnce application/installer that's really confusing, but it works when I run it, but when I export the installer to another pc it installs it crashes at the end of the install.
so I tried just coping the installed files but then the program crashes at startup.
Is there a simple way to compile the application to a simple standalone executable or maybe containing a separate folder containing the resources (images/classes)?
You can copy the executable from bin\Release and it should work.
If it uses any DLLs that are not part of the .Net framework itself, you'll also need to copy those. (Set Copy Local to true in the properties for each reference)
If it uses any other files, you'll need to copy them to the right place or embed them in the EXE or a DLL.
I would add Setup Project to your solution which will create a setup.exe.
Here's some of the links:
http://www.dreamincode.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=58021
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms235317.aspx
This will make sure that the dlls and assemblies are deployed to appropriate place when you install your software. It will also make sure that it gets rids of files when you uninstall it.
you can find your .exe here Projectpath\bin\Debug you have to give .config file too