Okay. I've done this before. You can use NSIS. It's a free install system that allows you to build scripts that create install packages.

However it's pretty complicated to use scripts, so download HM NIS Edit if you want a normal install package. Once you installed it, go on it, go to File->Create script from Wizard. Follow all the steps to build your install package. It's pretty easy. You can package it in multiple languages and it will appear on one installer. It will come with an uninstaller. You can do almost anything.

Here are my recommendations when using the Wizard (you'll understand me when you use it).

• Use the LZMA compressor. It creates the smallest possible package.


• Use your own icon for the installer and uninstaller.


• Compile the script at the end.


• Make sure you write a proper license if you're making it freeware, or use the GNU GPL (or LGPL if your app contains some proprietary elements) if you want others to peek at the source code (for that you will have to give away the source code).


• The software is free of charge

Doing all of this programatically from C# is indeed quite complicated.

You could certainly write your own installation routines, however there's many things you would need to take into account. First of all, on Vista or 7, your app would need administrator privileges, which involves writing an application manifest. Secondly, you ideally will want to give your users the option to install elsewhere, so you would need to implement the entire wizard in code yourself.

You could add your app to add/remove programs via the Registry, and of course to do that you need to write your own uninstallation or change installation utility. There is a LOT of effort involved in this. You need to account for ALL possible things your application may do on the system - any files it may add, any registry keys it may add, and so on.

Not to mention, a custom written installation system ideally needs to include version control, so if a new version is released of the application, the updates will be properly made to add/remove programs.

Such a project is a huge endeavor and is probably as complicated, if not more so, than the project you're wanting to do this with. I myself have never attempted it, even though I am the type to like to "do it my way". Since installing software into systems is so crucial, I'd rather use a tried and true method like Inno Setup or MSI packages to install my applications.

A much better, and more sanctioned, option is to use a dedicated installer package. NSIS, which was mentioned before, is free, as is Inno Setup. Inno Setup is easier to use than NSIS and it is well supported. (You can manually configure the entry in add/remove programs, exclude certain files from uninstallation, etc.)

Or if you want to be like the "big boys", you can learn how to write MSI installation packages. These packages would use the Windows Installer service, and would support things like component installation and removal (Change options) and also maintains a systemwide registry of installed packages allowing for programmatic management of installed programs.

I hope this information was helpful.

fm