Build, Configuration Properties, Deployment Project Properties Dialog Box

  • Article

Specifies the build settings for the currently selected deployment project. The name of the project is displayed in the title bar. Not all user interface elements are available for all deployment project types.

To access the Deployment Project Properties dialog box, on the View menu, click Property Pages when a deployment project is selected in Solution Explorer, then choose Build in the Configuration Properties list.

  • Output file name
    Specifies the location where the Windows Installer (.msi, .msm) file will be placed when built. Defaults to Configuration\ProjectName.extension where Configuration is a subdirectory (located beneath the project directory) for the selected configuration, ProjectName is the name of the deployment project, and extension is .msi for installers or .msm for merge modules.

    You can use the Browse button to select a different location.

  • Package files
    Specifies how files will be packaged within a Windows Installer file. The following options are available:

    Option Description
    As loose uncompressed files Files will be placed in the same directory as the .msi file.
    In setup file Files will be packaged inside the .msi file.
    In cabinet file(s) Files will be packaged in one or more .cab files in the same directory as the .msi file.

    Security Note   The As loose uncompressed files option should not be used for applications that will be distributed over the Web. Files packaged in this manner can be downloaded without any security prompt, creating a security risk for users. This option should never be used when the Web Bootstrapper (see below) is used.

  • Bootstrapper
    Specifies whether a bootstrapper (bootstrapping application) will be included in an installer. A bootstrapper includes the files needed to install Microsoft Windows Installer version 2.0 on the target computer if it is not already installed.

    Note   Windows Installer 2.0 is the default version for Windows XP. When installing to earlier versions of Windows for the first time, the bootstrapper will be necessary.

    The following options are available:

    Option Description
    None No bootstrapper will be included.
    Windows Installer Bootstrapper A bootstrapper will be included for installation on a Windows computer.
    Web Bootstrapper A bootstrapper will be included for download over the Web. A bootstrapper has authentication built in, so using a bootstrapper rather than .cab files is the preferred method for downloading.

    Note   For deployment projects that include a .NET Framework launch condition, the Bootstrapper setting has no effect, because the .NET Framework installer already includes the bootstrapper. The bootstrapper files (Instmsia.exe and Instmsiw.exe) will not be copied to the build directory.

  • Settings
    Launches the Web Bootstrapper Settings dialog box, used to specify the Web location where your application and the Windows Installer executable files will be available for download. Only available when Web Bootstrapper is selected as the Bootstrapper option.

  • Compression
    Specifies compression settings for files included in an installer. Not available when As loose uncompressed files is selected as the Package files option. The following options are available:

    Option Description
    Optimized for speed Files will be compressed to install faster, but will result in a larger file size.
    Optimize for size Files will be compressed to a smaller size, but may result in slower installation.
    None Files will not be compressed.

  • Cab Size
    Specifies the maximum size for .cab files created by the deployment project. For example, if you plan on distributing files on a floppy disk, you might set the .cab file size to 1440 KB (1.44 MB). The following options are available:

    Option Description
    Unlimited A single .cab file will be created.
    Custom One or more .cab files will be created, with each file limited to the size in KB specified in the Custom text box.

  • Authenticode Signature
    The Authenticode Signature check box determines whether the outputs of the deployment project will be signed using Authenticode signing.

  • Certificate file
    Specifies an Authenticode certificate file (.spc) that be used to sign the files. You can use the Browse button to select a certificate file.

  • Private key file
    Specifies a private key file (.pvk) that contains the digital encryption key for the signed files. You can use the Browse button to select a private key file.

  • Timestamp server URL
    Specifies the Web location for a timestamp server used to sign the files. Must be a valid URL. If left blank, this setting is ignored.

See Also

Setting Deployment Project Properties