Deploying Windows

The distribution (in English deployment) is the process by which the developed applications are installed on client systems. Typically this process is accomplished using a setup program (setup program).

There are several ways to install Windows applications and the most popular are: ClickOnce and Windows Installer. In this article we will analyze the salient features of these two approaches and show how to do both through Visual Studio.

ClickOnce

With the use of ClickOnce is not necessary to launch an installer on the client system to automatically install the application, but is sufficient for system users to click on a link. ClickOnce installation type can be made via a website, a shared folder on a local network, but also from media such as CDs and DVDs.

This type of distribution is based on so-called manifest file. The application manifest file contains a description of the necessary permits, while the deployment manifest file describes the deployment configuration. To deploy an application on the network these files must be clearly associated with a certificate, which serves the user may want to install the application to know its origin.

Let us now see how to deploy an application with ClickOnce. Open a windows form application project in Visual Studio Solution Explorer window and double click on the item Properties. This will open the properties page of the project and in it select the Signing tab

Tick ​​the checkbox Sign the ClickOnce manifests and then click Create Test Certificate button to create a test certificate to associate the file manifest. After clicking the button you will be prompted to enter a password, enter it and write it down somewhere The certificate serves to ensure that the user who is preparing to install the application can identify the creator of it and its origin in order to decide whether to proceed with the installation or cancel the same.

Clearly with the test certificate you just created the user will be able to receive reliable information and when they will start installing the application will receive a warning message on the poor reliability of the information contained in that certificate.

The test certificate serves only as an example to us and before any distribution of a real application, you must obtain a valid certificate from a certification authority legally recognized. If the application is distributed only within an intranet you can obtain certificates from a local server certificate (if one is installed in a local area network).

Having a real certificate you can configure it by clicking the Select button from file always in the Signing tab.

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