Visual Studio Deployment Project - Create shortcut to deployed executable

Question

I realize there is likely a simple method to do this but how does one create a desktop shortcut to the executable deployed by an MSI built using a Visual Studio Deployment project?

I imagine I need to use the Filesystem editor but when I create shortcut on the user's desktop I can't target the executable. I can only specify the target as the application folder not the specific executable.

Answer 1

After wasting an hour, I got it done - VS 2010 ... VS 2017 (this article helped):

1. In your Deployment Project go to File System Editor
2. Click on "Application Folder" (I assume you have "Primary Output" from your projects there)
3. Right click on "Primary Output" of the project you want to target with your shortcut - select "Create Shortcut to Primary Output ..."
4. Rename shortcut
5. Drag shortcut to Desktop / Programs Menu folder

That's it!