Create program installer in Visual Studio 2005?

Question

I'm a web-guy stuck in "application world" in VS 2005. I created my windows forms program and want to give my end users the ability to install it (and some of it's resources) into a standard Program Files/App Directory location along with a start menu/desktop launcher.

The help files don't give any instructions (that I can find). This seems like such a trivial task to create an installer - but it's eluding me.

Any hints would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

You're looking for a "Setup Project" which should be under the "Other Project Types" -> "Setup and Deployment" category in the "New Project" dialog.

Answer 2

I would suggest using something WiX (windows installer XML). Its the toolkit most products from codeplex or OOB code drops use, and its pretty easy to get the hang of.

There's also (in version 3) an IDE add-in called Votive to help make things 'easier'.

Personally I find using WiX more flexible then using the built in Visual Studio installer template, though your means might vary. Take a look at http://wix.sourceforge.net/ and there's also a great tutorial at http://www.tramontana.co.hu/wix/.

If it seems kind of hard to start off with, persevere - I did and now I find it perfect for what I need.

Answer 3

Another option is Inno Setup, a third-party installer which is free, easy to use and excellent:

Inno Setup

Answer 4

I'd like to add a quick start tutorial for the 'Setup Project' as a good place to start with building your own setup with VS: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/dotnet/Win_App_Setup_Project.aspx