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Shortcut to executable in VB Setup project HELP?!!

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capitano

Programmer
Jul 30, 2001
88
US
I'm creating a setup project to install a VB.NET application on another computer.

After going through the wizard, I add the myProgram.exe to the "Users Program Menu". Build and then install on the other computer. BUT, now the .exe is a standalone in the Start menu. In other words, it doesn't point (shortcut) to the C:\Program Files\MyProgram\myProgram.exe

This is a problem, because I have other support files, .dll's and things. So, when I run my program from the start menu, it can't find the dll's. What am I supposed to do in the Setup Project to get the .exe to point to the correct (Program Files) location?????

Thanks for any help! I'm going CRAZy over here.

Bryan
 
If you want to distribute your .exe program to client users,your clients needs to have the ".net package" from microsoft's site installed. It contains all the DLL files,ect to run the .net platform and is about 20megs I think.
 
Yup, I've done that already. What I'm looking for is how to make the VB.NET setup procedures force the following link:
C:\Docs and Settings\User-in-question\Start Menu\My Program

point to this location:

C:\Program Files\My Program Direcrory\MyProgram.exe

The VB.NET Setup procedures don't do this automatically. Does anybody know?

Thanks,
Bryan
 
Okay, I've found a solution to my problem. For those who are interested, here's one approach that I know of:

---Adapted to my situation from the Microsoft Help files---
To create shortcuts to your application that will be placed on the desktop or the start menu of a target computer:

Select the MyProgram Setup Project in Solution Explorer. In the File System Editor, select the Primary output from MyProgram. On the Action menu, choose Create Shortcut to.
This will add a Shortcut to Primary output from MyProgram.

Rename the shortcut Shortcut to MyProgram.
Select Shortcut to MyProgram and drag it to the User's Desktop folder in the left pane. Or drag it to the User's Programs Menu. Either way, you get a shortcut.
-----

This is completely different from adding a .exe File to the Desktop or to the User's Start menu. In my case, I am automating Office applications and this required some special DLL libraries in Program Files (as per my above 2 posts). When MyProgram.exe started from the Start Menu directory, it wasn't able to find the DLL's. Now, with a shortuct to the right place (Program Files), everything works like a charm.

Ciao,
Bryan
 
This worked without a hitch...Thanks for taking the time to post this capitano!
 
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