Is there any way to create a windows installer package in vb.net using tools from microsoft?

Question

I want to create a windows installer package using visual studio. It is my understanding that there was a simple way to do this in vb6, you could add an installer like you can add a new form.

How can I do this in vb.net? I downloaded and installed the Windows SDK from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c17ba869-9671-4330-a63e-1fd44e0e2505&displaylang=en because it said somewhere that it could create installer packages and had tools to do so for .net, but no such luck.

I would prefer not to use NSIS or Inno Setup for this.

Is there any way to get the same functionality that you could have in vb6 with the installer packages?

Thanks, I feel I am missing an important step here...

EDIT: I am using visual basic 2008 express, not professional. I dont have "Setup and deployment" or anything like that under my template options.

Answer 1

You could create a .msi installer. Have a look at this question/answer for some more details. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1042566/how-can-i-create-an-msi-setup

Edit: Others have mentioned WiX, so here's a link to a tutorial showing how to use it

Answer 2

There is a setup & deployment project type under other when you go to create a new project in VS Standard edition and higher. If you have express it's not available.

Here's some info on Setup & Deployment projects:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wx3b589t.aspx

Tutorial:

http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/UploadFile/vishnuprasad2005/SetupProjects12022005022406AM/SetupProjects.aspx

Answer 3

File -> New Project -> Other Project Types -> Setup and Deployment

Will allow you to add a setup project to any Visual Studio solution.

Answer 4

In Visual Studio.,Net you would create a Setup Project (or Setup Project Wisard) to create an installer.

Tutorial Here: http://www.dreamincode.net/forums/showtopic58021.htm

Answer 5

Because the express version doesn't include the Setup and Deployment project type, you'll probably find it easier to use a third party tool such as www.advancedinstaller.com - the free version is probably sufficient for your needs.