Install VSTO WITHOUT using Clickonce

Question

I just created my first VSTO Add-In for Excel. I'm trying to find a way to install the add-in on the end users machine easily.

If I copy the the .dll and try to add it from the COM Add-Ins manager in Excel I get this error:

<ProjectName>.dll is not a valid Office Add-in.

If I use the publish wizard, it does not give me an option to select where to install the files on the client PC. Instead, it uses the path to the installation files.

So, how can I install my VSTO add-in without using the publish wizard (AKA clickonce)?

Answer 1

You should be using Visual Studio Setup Project and add your vsto project output. See this deployment walkthrough guide on using VSTO 4.0.