Setup Program Lets users install the application by running a windows Setup program Lets users specify the installation directory Creates a shortcut

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1 Installing new software can be an exciting and anxious experience. You give over control of the system to a program that may demand administrator privilege and then begins to update some of the most fragile parts of your system. I might install kernel drivers of Services, it might alter your personal settings without your permission, and it might disable other applications inadvertently. For a company that builds and ships software, this might be the first time that the customer has seen their product or their company. It s an opportunity to make a lasting impression, one way or another. This afternoon, we will discuss some of the considerations in designing a Windows installation, although it would require a complete course in the Windows architecture to examine this thoroughly, and we will take a look at the installation builder that is available in Visual Studio.NET which enables us to create.msi, or Microsoft Installer files. 1

2 Xcopy The oldest and easiest way to deploy an application Installs the application by copying the directory for the application to the user s hard drive Lets the user start the application by double-clicking on the exe file for the application Lets the user remove the application by deleting the folder for the application Works as long as all files required by the application are included in the folder for the application Is adequate for some simple applications with just a few users ClickOnce Lets users install the application by clicking a link on a web page Was introduced with Visual Studio 2005 Replaces the deployment wizard included in earlier versions of Visual Studio Creates a shortcut for the application in the Start menu Lets the user uninstall the application using the Add or Remove Programs window that can be accessed from the Control Panel Provides a way to automatically check for and install any files needed by the application Provides a way to automatically distribute updates to the application Is adequate for many types of applications with multiple users 2

3 Setup Program Lets users install the application by running a windows Setup program Lets users specify the installation directory Creates a shortcut for the application in the Start menu Lets the user uninstall the application using the Add or Remove Programs window that can be accessed from the Control Panel Provides a way to automatically check for and install any files needed by the application Can be used to modify the registry to install COM componenets Commonly used for commercial software that s installed from a CD Is adequate for all but the most complex applications. 3

4 To publish an application Double-click My Project in the Solution Explorer to display the Project Designer Select Publish page Enter the location where you want to publish the application Click on the four Install Mode and Settings buttons to set options the way you want them Click on Publish Now By default, the application is available from the location where it is published. If you want it available from another location, indicate it on this screen. By default, the application is available off-line (it can be downloaded and installed). If you require that it be run from the web server, click the application is available online only radio button By default, the version will increment each time you publish. You can control that from this screen. FrontPage server extensions must be installed on the web server to publish to a remote web site. You may specify a server path or removable media for publishing, rather than a web site. 4

5 SELECT THE FILES TO BE PUBLISHED Click the Application Files button The dialog box that appears lists the files to be published By default, only the.exe file will be published You may wish to include.pdb and.xml files Select the include option from the Publish Status drop-down list 5

6 SELECT PREREQUISITES Click the Prerequisites button You may select the components required for application to work properly Windows installer 3.1 and.net Framework 3.5 are usually included By default, prerequisites will be downloaded from vendor sites if they are not present You may select alternate locations from which prerequisites may be downloaded 6

7 UPDATE OPTIONS Click the Updates button You may choose to have the application check for updates every time it runs, or at an interval of days You may specify a lowest version number If application is at a lower version number, it is updated automatically You may specify the location of updates 7

8 PUBLISH OPTIONS Click the Options button You should specify at least the Publisher and Product name The Publisher name will be the name of the group in the Start menu The Product name will be the name of the program in the Start menu The Support URL, if specified, will appear in the Start menu 8

9 PUBLISH TO A WEB SITE Click Publish Now You will be required to provide a user name and password for the FrontPage Web The application will be available as setup.exe in the publishing/installation folder 9

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