This task content
summary
How to deploy projects How to create installation packages How to add files to installation package reference
SUMMARY This article explains the steps of creating a installation package in a Visual Studio .NET development environment. This article also explains different types of installation items and how to put files or dependencies in the installer.
Back to top
The type of deployment project has five types of deployment items: merge module items, installation items, web installations, and CAB projects. "Installation Wizard" is used to help you gradually complete the process of creating a deployment project. Below is a rule for selecting the correct deployment project type for your project.
Project Type Upperation MFP Item (.msm) will be able to package installation items (.msi) for multiple applications (.msi) to generate installer WEB installation items (.msi) to generate installer CABs Project (.CAB) Create the Cab File Setup Wizard to download to the old version of Web Browser (.msi) Help automatically creates a deployment project mentioned earlier in this table.
The merge module project allows you to package files or components into a module for easy sharing. The .msm file can be included in any other deployment project, but cannot be deployed itself.
The difference between the installation item and the web installation item involves the location of the deployment installer:
For installation items, the installer installs files into the Program Files directory on the target computer. For web installation items, the installer installs the file to the Virtual root directory on the web server. The CAB project allows you to create .cab files so that you can download from the web server to the ActiveX component packaging of the web browser.
Back to top
How to create installation package
Start a new project by performing one of the following:
On the File menu, point to New, and then click Project. - or - If you open a project that you want to create an installer package, right-click the solution in the Solution Explorer MYPROject (where the project name is MyProject), point to add, and then click New Project. In the New Project dialog, select Install and Deploy Projects in the Project Type pane, then select the desired installer type in the Template pane. The project will be added to the Solution Explorer and then open the file system editor. In the Properties dialog box, select the ProductName property and type the name of the product.
Back to top
How to add a file to the installer package
In the File System Editor, select the application folder node. Right-click the application folder and click Add-> file on the action menu. In the Add File dialog box, browse to select all files that you want to add to the application. Note: If there is already an application project in the solution, you can add item output by selecting item output, not a file. To add an existing merge module to the installer (this is impossible for the CAB project), right-click the name of the installer in the Solution Explorer. Click Add, then click the Merge Module. In the Add Module dialog box, browse to select all merge modules that need to be added to the application.
Back to top
Reference To add a shortcut to the project, browse to the Microsoft Knowledge Base article below:
307358 How to: Create Shortcuts for a .net Deployment Project To make sure your file is registered correctly when installing, browse to the Microsoft Knowledge Base article below:
307367 HOW TO: Register COM Objects in Visual Studio .NET
Back to top
The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Visual Studio .NET (2002), Professional Edition
