Clever Geek Handbook

Is there a way to deploy a .Net application without using MSI?

I have a .Net program that I want to install on a terminal server. In the past, I've created installer projects and created an MSI. However, terminal servers require all users to be disconnected before starting the MSI and I want to avoid this. Is there a way to do the installation without MSI?

Sometimes for some user accounts I can just copy the .exe file and use it. But for other users it makes wierd "file not found" errors for files that apparently exist. (Apparently there are registry settings that must be present to run the .net exe, which may or may not be present if the exe was not "officially" installed via the MSI?)

0


source to share


7 replies


yes, in general, if you don't need to install the component into the global assembly cache (GAC), all you need to do is copy the files to a folder on the computer you want to run on. To start, all you have to do is double-click the .exe file.



The only caveat is that the correct .net infrastructure is already installed on the machine ...

+8


source


As expected, copying will be the easiest.



If you want to create a non-MSI installer, check NSIS . You can also get great support on the NSIS forum .

+2


source


I wonder why ClickOnce is not mentioned ... This is a "lightweight" setup with minimal work as a developer (just fill in a few fields and click "publish" in the project properties) and make it easier for users to work. The name is the motto: the user has to run the ClickOnce application and accept its installation .. The NET Framework will copy the files into a dedicated ClickOnce-Cache, create some link to the application (if enabled) and even allow easy automated updates out of the box. Prerequisites can also be checked, for example. the correct .NET Framework or SQL Server.

You can find more information on this in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ClickOnce

+2


source


Applications

.Net usually doesn't need to be installed. You can usually just put the files you want on the file system and provide your users with a shortcut to launch.

However, there are situations where this is desirable. For example, if you want to add an assembly to the GAC, the installation can automate this. If this is your case, have you considered ClickOnce deployment? It can handle what you need.

+1


source


We are using Inno Setup ( http://www.innosetup.com/isinfo.php ). I have the best experience with this tool. Its simple, lightweight, free and fast.

+1


source


If you just want to do app updates (and not install new shortcuts or whatnot), I just create a WinRAR self-extracting file. You can paste the destination directory into it and specify silent install even.

0


source


ByteEssence InstallMaker is another free option:

http://www.bytessence.com/bim.html

0


source






More articles:


All Articles