Installing my application

[deoblo1]

I have created a finished application and I was wondering how to make an exe to install my file on a users computer. Either using instal shild or some other program. I have just never atempted to distribute my applications.

[VBCrazyCoder]

If it is a simple app - then you can X-Copy - just build the exe and copy it to the client machine.

If you need to do more than just X-Copy - such as add icons, use the GAC, etc. then you will be more suited to using a Setup Project that creates an install package (msi). - Or you could use install shield, etc.

[deoblo1]

Its a simple app but what I used to run into with vb6 when i just coppied it to another computer that did not have vb6 it would be missing all of the runtime files and it would not run. I do not know if i would have the same problem now. So I was hoping an install program would also carry the runtime files (if they are still used) and all of that jazz.

[VBCrazyCoder]

Yes, the client machine would need the .NET framework on it (1.0 if your app is in .NET 2002, 1.1 if .NET 2003). The install can install this for you.

[deoblo1]

I remember vb6 coming w/ an option to create an install file and distrubute, does .net have that option and i am just not seeing it?

[VBCrazyCoder]

You have to create a setup project (New Project / Setup Project) and add your project's output to it. You will see the framework is added by default (dotnetfxredist...). You might have to enable it, but I remember seeing it listed.