Distribute vb.net application with power pack dll's

Question

Is it possible to distribute and application with only the needed dll's?  I use INNO to package a setup file, and if I include the power pack distribution exe it wants to repair or uninstall if the user try's to install an updated setup file. 

The other answer to this question could be what is the registry key to determine if the power pack is already installed, as I could have INNO skip running the power pack exe.  However, just including the required dll's side by side would be the prefered method.

Thanks,

Eric Figge.

Answer 1

Hi Eric,

How are you including the Power Packs redist? I'm not familiar with INNO - do they support bootstrapping?

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Steve Hoag Microsoft aka the V-Bee

Answer 2

We are changing the issue type to “General Discussion” because you have not followed up with the necessary information. If you have more time to look at the issue and provide more information, please feel free to change the issue type back to “Question” by clicking "Change Type" at the top of the thread. If the issue is resolved, we will appreciate it if you can share the solution so that the answer can be found and used by other community members having similar questions.

You can consider posting it at related Inno Setup forum for better chances to get answer.
http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php

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Answer 3

@Eric Figge:

You can copy the dlls of the vb.power pack along with your application binary and use inno setup. However, doing so would require you to place the dll assemblies in the same folder.

Since the vb powerpack setup comes with silent switch also (i think) you can add a pre-condition in you installer that it would install the powerpack and then you application. That way you are saved from the versioning issues in the global assembly. I am not sure if there is a script for checking the pwoer pack version using inno, however even if you re-install the vb power pack will ensure it installs the right version for your application.

Having a local dll copy, i have not tested this though, incase you have vbpack installed in global cache and also have dlls in you application directory, which would be the priority dll for your application. Would it be global or local dll. using the setup of vb pack you would elimiate this confusin.

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Kavitesh Singh.