Visual Studio Deployment Project - Create shortcut to deployed executable

Question

I realize there is likely a simple method to do this but how does one create a desktop shortcut to the executable deployed by an MSI built using a Visual Studio Deployment project?

I imagine I need to use the Filesystem editor but when I create shortcut on the user's desktop I can't target the executable. I can only specify the target as the application folder not the specific executable.

Answer 1

Should be quite simple:

• Open FileSystem editor and go the User's Desktop folder.
• Right click with the mouse and select Create New Shortcut.
• You will be presented with a dialog that allows you to select for instance the application folder (on the target machine). When you double click on this you see what is inside that folder.
• Now simply select the primary project output that "contains" your exe file.

Likewise you can set the icon of the shortcut. At least I believe so.

Answer 2

Its very simple:

1. Right click on the project created.
2. Select view > File System.
3. An interface will open.
4. Right click on User's Desktop.
5. Select Add > Folder or the Project output > primary output.
6. Build the solution.
7. Run the setup and check it out.

Answer 3

I would add the following steps to get the .exe's icon into the shortcut, because it seems that by default you will get an ugly generic document-shortcut icon.

Assuming you have already given your program the desired icon,

• go to the shortcut's Properties
• go to Icon
• Browse...
• change "Files of type" to *.exe
• browse to and select your "primary output"
• OK, OK