✅ How to make installer for .net framework 4.7.2
Hello,
I am building a WPF plugin for AutoCAD. When i build solution i get 5 dlls, the main dll is called GUI and you can use "netload" command in autocad to load it and start using it.
What i want to do is create some kind of installer, exe or whatever that user can simply run and it would do the following:
1. Find if autocad is installed and copy 5 dlls into that folder
2. Edit a specific file that autocad installs "example.lisp" and add one line of code to that file
3. Optionally create uninstaller
What is best way? Should i use program like inno setup or create my own cs script? I am using Rider IDE and .net framework 4.7.2 (it is the latest supported version that autocad uses, i cant use other)
11 Replies
This sounds like a simple console application to me.
I wouln't go all out and create a gui for this. But I am minimalistic, so that depends on what you want for the user
Also, if you have your DLLs already at hand, the installer doesn't need to be .NET Framework 4.7.2
Okay so how can i create installer? I would still like the gui for a client to simplify the process
Well, it's just an app with a GUI, so WPF, Avalonia, MAUI, even WinForms will do it.
If cross-plattform is a concern, then I'd recommend Avalonia + .NET7
So if i just create desktop wpf app it is the same as if creating installer with inno setup? What do i need to be careful abou? Also how to create uninstaller and how is it with permissions, do i have to manually ask for permission to copy files in the specific folder?
I haven't used InnoSetup yet. But the main thing that app/installer/whatever is doing is "find autocad directory, copy 5 files and edit another file". It's a small task overall, so it doesn't really matter if you have a WPF app or InnoSetup. It's up to you.
Okay thank you for you help :)
I would use Inno for this actually @himmdawg @aljo_m
Because it handles all the other installer things
Like rolling back if you hit cancel, registering to appear in Add or Remove Programs
etc
okay, but how to use it to edit the .lisp file in the way i want?
you'll have to look at their docs
okay thanks
Was this issue resolved? If so, run
/close - otherwise I will mark this as stale and this post will be archived until there is new activity.