SharePoint and .NET: Create a Setup Project with desktop shortcut in a Visual studio 2008/2010/2012

Add a Setup Project to your Solution

· 1. Right click on your Solution and add a new project

· 2. Select Other Project Types >> Setup and Deployment >> Visual studio installer.

· 3. Add a name and Location to the project.

· 4. Click OK

Add item to Application Folder.

· 1. Right click on Application Folder>>ADD>>Project Output

· 2. Select the appropriate project

· 3. Select Primary Output on the selection area.

· 4. Click OK

Add item to User’s desktop Program Menu.

· 1. In the left pane of the Setup/File System window click on Application Folder.

· 2. Right click on the primary output/(active).

· 3. Select short cut to Primary output.

· 4. Drag the shortcut item to User’s desktop.

· 5. Repeat steps 1 to 3

· 6. Drag the shortcut item to User’s Program Menu.

Change the Desktop icon

· 1. Right click on the root folder (File system on Target machine).

A drop down menu will popup.

· 2. Select custom folder on the bottom of the menu. and name as Icon.

· 3. Select an icon and copy that into the custom folder.

· 4. Open User's desk top folder under root and select the shortcut.

Right click on the shortcut and go to properties window.

· 5. Go to properties Icon and select the icon on 'Icon' folder.

· 6. Select User's programme menu and repeat steps 4 and 5.

Build the Application and Install on a machine.

Reference

SharePoint and .NET