Redistributing .Net 2.0 framework

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Matthew Copeland - 16 Jul 2006 22:06 GMT

Hi,

I am thinking about writing an app in C# 2.0 and starting to look into
distribution strategies.

Is it possible to distribute a setup program (VS, Installshield, Wise,
etc.) which dynamically determines if the 2.0 runtime is installed, and
if it is not it installs it from the internet from a resource made
publicly available from Microsoft?

I won't be happy if I have to incur the bandwidth cost of embedding the
2.0 redistributable files in my installation program. It would beg the
question - does MS really think they can get away with shifting the
burden of distributing their future on the backs of ISVs?

If this is the case, any suggestions for small ISV's that cannot afford
to distribute the runtime to interested users who may not even purchase
the software?

This is really a burden for shareware authors. It may force me to write
the app in VB6.

Thanks,
Matthew

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dotnetterinternals@hotmail.com - 16 Jul 2006 22:42 GMT

Hello Matthew:

Yes it is possible to detect and point your users to the correct .NET
framework package for either VS 2003 (.NET 1.1 if you still need it )
or VS 2005.

No coding is needed if you use the VS "Setup and Deployment" 's Setup
Project.
The Setup Project project gives you much control over the installation
details for commercial apps. The Setup Wizard allows allows easier
decision making but perhaps is a little less flexible with
installation.

Take a look at the potential of using the VS 2005 (or VS 2003) "Setup
and Deployment" Project. Specifically the VS 2003 Setup Project wil
write a setup.ini
for older products as InstallUrl", to point to the MS deployment for
dotNET 1.1

[MSILoader]
MSIFileName=Your_Build_Here_Version123.msi
[FXSection]
SupportedRuntimes=1.1.4322
InstallUrl=http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=9832
Message=1.1.4322
UseDefaultMessage=1

The VS 2005 Setup and Deployment Project will internally reference the
same line:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=9832
but will require the 2.0.50727 version for .NET 2.0 (for example).

By the way, Setup Wizard will place the URL 'hook' inside the
deployment project automagically. Try deploying the project on a
Windows XP box that does NOT have the .NET runtime installed. You will
see that that Setup Wizard will call out for the .NET deployment
packages to the Web.

Hope this helps.

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> Thanks,
> Matthew

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Matthew Copeland - 16 Jul 2006 23:31 GMT

yes it does!!!!

thank you

> Hello Matthew:
>
[quoted text clipped - 60 lines]
> > Thanks,
> > Matthew

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Carl Daniel [VC++ MVP] - 17 Jul 2006 04:39 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> and if it is not it installs it from the internet from a resource made
> publicly available from Microsoft?

As already mentioned, the Visual Studio deployment projects support this.
All of the major 3rd party installer products offer similar support, so if
the VS Deployment project doesn't meet your needs, you have lots of other
options.

-cd

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Redistributing .Net 2.0 framework

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