I am using VS2008. What I would like to do is, create a single MSI for the installation,where i can let ppl download from internet and double click on it to install.
Since that it's an app need to be run on top of .NET 3.5 framework, and also the WindowsInstaller3_1
Currently I found that, the VS2008 will create 2 files, 1 setup.exe and one myapp.msi
The user need to run setup.exe in order to check the dependencies. May I know how can I just create one file (either exe or MSI), but it's only 1 file for the user to download, but still it will check for the dependencies?
In short: ======= 1. 1 file for user to download, user will double click to start the installation. 2. Before the installation, the app will check for the .NET 3.5 and also WindowsInstaller, it it's not exist, will make them to download form internet and continue to installation. 3. Start the app installation like normal.
Right click on your project in the solution explorer and choose properties. Go to publish tab. You can choose your prequisites here also. Check the auto-increment version. You can also choose when the program checks for update. e.g. program startup or shutdown Choose the publish wizard and follow the prompts to your ftp location or webserver. Every time that a new version is published with a different version number to that location, then it will prompt the user to download the update.
Let me know if you want a screen shot walkthrough or camtasia video as I have both.
