automatic updates in a desktop windows application

[varshan09]

Hi,

We have a requirement of building a standalone desktop application using windows forms. There is another requirement of applying automatic updates of the application(in case there is any change) on the application.

We have seen this happening in the windows media player and Windows XP. How can we achieve this functionality using VB.Net?

Thanks
Varsha

 

[SqueakinSweep]

The simplest way is to have a Loader application which calls the Main application. The loader can check for new exes and dll's and copy them say from a network location to the client where necessary.

You just need to compare file dates and times and if the local and network versions differ, copy the network version over the client version.


Sweep
...if it works dont mess with it

 

[varshan09]

Hi,
In our case, we need to download it form the customer portal. Will it add additional complexity if download from the portal and run it?

Thanks
Varsha

 

[SqueakinSweep]

Well..you dont really want every client downloading from the portal I wouldnt have thought.

Why not develop a .Net Service which sits on a server, and handles the downloading from the portal to a designated update folder on your network


Sweep
...if it works dont mess with it