I have developed a windows application via .NET 3.5 and now I want to deploy It for instalation , what I don't know is what files exaclty should I add in windows installer ? here is my project structure : - I have a folder named 'Images' which I have my images in that - I have several .dll files in my bin folder - My windows application uses a webservice that I have developed so I have a Web references folder in my project - My app.config file is in root directory - I have to .ico files in my root directory - the .exe file is in my bin folder
Now which files shoul I add ? and I also want to precompile my project and deploy It as .dll files , please help me this is my first time deploying a win app project . thanks for your help
Generally speaking, you don't add files, you just add Project Output. Visual Studio determines which files are needed. (See documentation) http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766795.aspx
(Edit - this is better than the link above: http://www.dreamincode.net/forums/topic/58021-deploying-a-c%23-application-visual-studio-setup-project/)
The exception is content files. Suppose you have images, or pdf files that you want installed as part of your project. Even with these, however, you don't specify anything while defining the installer, you just ensure that "Copy Always" or "Copy If Newer" is selected for the content files in the original project.
In YOUR case, the .dll files, web references, and actual code components should be included automatically, but you may need to specify the "copy" option on the images. (See http://www.flatredball.com/frb/docs/index.php?title=Tutorials:Adding_files_to_your_project)