Updated: August 2008
Windows Installer deployment enables you to create installer packages to be distributed to users; the user runs the setup file and steps through a wizard to install the application. This is accomplished by adding a Setup project to your solution. When built, the project creates a setup file that you distribute to users; the user runs the setup file and steps through a wizard to install the application.
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The Express Editions do not include Windows Installer technology. For information about the deployment technology used in the Express Editions, see ClickOnce Deployment. |
The following topics will help you learn more about Windows Installer deployment.
- Windows Installer Deployment Overview
Discusses deployment alternatives, deployment through distributable media, setup projects, Web setup projects, CAB file projects, and so on.
- Windows Installer Deployment Concepts
Discusses merge modules, deployment files and folders, and how to associate file name extensions with an application.
- Windows Installer Deployment Tasks
Describes how to use the Visual Studio features to create a Windows Installer package.
- Windows Installer Deployment Walkthroughs
Provides walkthroughs of various deployment tasks using Windows Installer.
- Windows Installer Deployment User Interface Elements
Describes the Visual Studio wizards and other user interface elements pertaining to Windows Installer.
- Windows Installer Examples
Provides Windows Installer examples for installation, upgrade, patching, localization, and more.
- .NET Framework Deployment Features
Describes the features of .NET Framework deployment.
- .NET Framework Deployment Basics
Describes the packaging and distributing of .NET Framework applications.
- ClickOnce Deployment for Windows Forms Applications
Describes ClickOnce deployment, which enables you to publish self-updating Windows-based applications to a Web server or network file share for simplified installation.
- Deployment Scenarios for .NET Framework Applications
Describes various deployment scenarios.
- How the Runtime Locates Assemblies
Describes how the common language runtime locates and binds to the assemblies that make up your application.
- Redistributing the .NET Framework
Describes how to use the redistributable installer, Dotnetfx.exe, that contains the common language runtime and .NET Framework components that are required to run .NET Framework applications.
- Choosing a Deployment Strategy
Compares ClickOnce and Windows Installer deployment.
Other Resources
Date | History | Reason |
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August 2008
| Added information for Express Edition developers. |
Customer feedback.
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| Added links to Windows Installer examples. |
Customer feedback.
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