Autoupdate application

[RascaPR]

I am able to create an application that checks a website and if an update is available, install that update, by using the ClickOnce feature of Visual C# 2005 .NET

The only problem is that it doesn't give me the power to add a desktop icon and other useful things as other full blown install makers out there.

I gave the .MSI setup feature and it does export my application with the shortcuts that I need to be created. The only drawback is that the application will not auto update itself.

How can I create a setup package for my application, which will auto update itself?

 

[jhaith]

There's a couple different options. I don't think you'll find a premade solution to fill all of your needs but as an alternative you could add a method to the start of the application that will do the extra installation features that you want and still be able to deploy using ClickOnce. You could also switch it to an MSI package and create a method to the start of the application that does the auto-update itself. However you could run into security/permissions problems doing this. You'll have to evaluate the various different options and find one that suits the needs of your situation.

-jhaith

 

[RascaPR]

Thanks for the response! Actually, I really like how ClickOnce deploys the application and has it auto-update itself. The one thing that I really like is the fact that it installs the application at a very inconspicuous location, which should prevent the casual user from browsing the install folder, in an attempt to try and see what files can be read by other means.

So, for this reason I will most likely go with ClickOnce. Now, how can I create a method that will create a shortcut link on the users Desktop?

I was thinking about maybe taking the shortcut link that ClickOnce creates on the Start Menu, and copying it to the Desktop.

 

[jhaith]

Here's a link that should help.

http://blog.scottschecter.net/TheZenOfTheClickOnceDeployedApplicationDesktopShortcut.aspx

-jhaith