.NET - Can App.Config Be Embedded?

Question

According to this: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj152935%28v=vs.110%29.aspx

In order for .NET Framework 4/4.5 to work with .NET 2.0 apps, an app.config must be provided.

I want to maximize the compatibility of my .NET 2.0 apps.

I need it to work with PCs that only have .NET 2.0 installed or .NET 4 installed.

The problem is that, having an app.config always present with the executable is not as professional as I want it to look like.

My App is a standalone app, so having an app.config to make it work does not really make it a standalone app.

This is the settings inside the app.config, you see it's not really my settings its a runtime version settings.

<configuration>
  <startup>
    <supportedRuntime version="<version>"/>
  </startup>
</configuration>

The app will run without the app.config in .NET 2.0 framework, but if within .NET 4.0 framework the app.config is required.

Is there any fix for this?

Edit:

My question is different from: How do I compile my App.config into my exe in a VS2010 C# console app?

As this tackles .NET runtime-version settings, not the app's settings itself.

Answer 1

A single .exe will not be very professional, you can take a look at some alternatives like ClickOnce

Some of the key features are it make the update process much more simple, and efficient, for example the GitHub windows client is delivered using ClickOnce.

There plenty of other alternatives to deliver your application like Wix

However it also possible to embed resources in the dlls like take a look here. But as marc_s said embedding the app.config does not make much sense.

Hope this helps.