How do I choose where to install a published VS2015 project

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VS2015

Maybe I am missing something blatantly obvious here, but if I create a VB Project in VS2015 and then Publish it to an Installs Folder, when I run the Setup it actually starts the Program. I want it to ask me where I want to Install it and for it to ask if I want a Shortcut created.

As it happens this is not really a problem for me, but when I run the Setup on a different machine, it just Installs the Folder to the Desktop, puts a Shortcut on the Desktop and Starts the Program, that's not what a User is going to expect or want !!!

How do I get this to properly Install with User input ?

Posted 12-Jan-16 7:55am

Gary Heath

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 12-Jan-16 14:44pm

What toolset are you using for installation. Basically, you don't install "project", you install you product. Normally, it is installed in either "Program Files" or "Program Files (x86)", in the drive prescribed in registry (say, if the disk C: is absent, it could be something else, but the OS "knows" the path and provides it to the installer via its API); and the user is given an option to choose a custom directory. Installation is only needed when uninstallation is needed to remove all traces of the product.
—SA

Gary Heath 12-Jan-16 15:49pm

I'm sorry Sergey, I don't understand. Once I have a fully working VB program I assumed that I need to "Publish" it ... is that not the case ? I, personally, can execute the program from inside VS2015 or direct by creating a Shortcut, but my User can't do that, I need to send him something that he can run and it says "Where do you want to install this program", "Do you want to create a Shortcut on the Desktop" etc., etc. ... I assumed that was what the "Publish" option did, but it quite clearly doesn't :-( !!!

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 12-Jan-16 16:34pm

Not really. What is your application type? It's not a Web application, not a Web site, right?
And who told you that you need a shortcut to "execute the program... direct"? (Forget Visual Studio, it is totally unrelated, is a mere IDE.)
—SA

Gary Heath 12-Jan-16 17:09pm

Sorry I am slow replying, I was watching the football :-) ... It's a very basic Windows Form program written in VB ... On this PC if I Publish and run Setup it just opens the program (well, after a little visual show !), I don't know where it has Installed it, if at all.

Nobody has told me anything, I just used Teamviewer to copy the Folder where I have Published it from this PC to onto my Laptop and ran Setup on there, it created a Folder and a Shortcut to the Executable on the Desktop, and again opened the Program, that's obviously not what I want, as I said (sorry to repeat) I just want my User to be able to Install the program the same way as we all install programs and that's why I am confused (I have never done this before, obviously :-) !!!) ...

I suppose more than anything I am confused and bewildered as to why there is this option to "Publish" in Visual Studio that doesn't really actually appear to be of any use at all !!!

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 12-Jan-16 17:16pm

Please, do you have any convincing reason for installation? Don't refer to your customers; just say what should happen if someone runs an uninstaller.
Don't mix up different things. Teamviewer is a Revision Control System; it is for developers, not customers. Again, what's your application type?
—SA

Gary Heath 12-Jan-16 17:30pm

You are really confusing me here Sergey ... this is as straightforward as it can possibly be !!!

1) I have written a Windows Form VB.net program in VS2015.
2) I want to send it to my client / user, I can do that by E:Mail, on a USB stick, via Teamviewer, it really doesn't matter, I need him to have it on his PC.
3) Then I want him to be able to Install it and it ask him where he wants it and if he wants a shortcut.

That's all I want to do and I, quite understandably I think, assumed that is what the Publish option did !!!

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 12-Jan-16 18:02pm

Better, but you did not explain the main thing: what an uninstaller will do?
I still don't see why you cannot send just the program itself.
I can help you with installations (forget Publish), but I want to know why.
—SA

Gary Heath 12-Jan-16 18:06pm

Why do I care what an UNinstaller will do ? I want my Client / User to Install it and have a shortcut on his desktop (or wherever he wants to move it to) ... he is pretty computer illiterate, like most end users ...

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 12-Jan-16 19:00pm

Because you and your customer may not need installer. It is totally unrelated to computer literacy. Installer is only extra hassle for an inexperienced, isn't it obvious. What useful will it do? Who told you that this is all about shortcuts? A shortcut can be considered as another redundant artifact.
—SA

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Dave Kreskowiak · Accepted Answer · 2016-01-12T13:45:00

Solution 1

Publish is the most restrictive way to repackage an application. It takes away all of your options, including the ability to pick in which folder to install the application.

If you're going to create an installer for your application I suggest using a third party tool, such as Wix Toolset, InnoSetup, Advanced Installer, InstallShield or whatever.

Posted 12-Jan-16 13:45pm

Dave Kreskowiak

Comments

Gary Heath 13-Jan-16 2:04am

Thanks Dave, so in essence, Publish is just a poor Installer ?!? I will take a look at those, would you recommend one above any of the others ?

Dave Kreskowiak 13-Jan-16 9:20am

It's a matter of personal preference. I have to use InstallShield at work all the time. I wouldn't recommend it for newcomers to the game.