Could not load file or assembly 'Interop.IWshRuntimeLibrary'

Question

I'm using this library to create shortcuts in a custom action. In the reference, copy local is true. I get this error when I try to install on other computers. Any idea why this would happen? Building on Windows 7, error happens on both Windows 7 and XP. I notice that the file isn't in the Install folder of the target directory when the error happens, but I don't know why because copy local is set to true.

Answer 1

Copy local is nothing to do with setup projects. If you want to install that assembly on the client system you must add it to the File System view (in whatever folder is needed) in the setup project.

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Phil Wilson

Answer 2

OK it detects all of the other libraries in the custom action project in Detected Dependencies but not this one, and when you go to add assembly it doesn't list COM libraries.

Answer 3

And I have output from the custom action project in the setup, so shouldn't copy local copy it to the file system?

Answer 4

Strange that it doesn't do it automatically, but manually adding the dll file to the Install folder of the user's application folder worked. Thanks Phil.

Answer 5

OK the problem just came up again. The library is added to the setup project, it's in the File System viewer in the Install folder (it's used in a custom install action), and while trying to install to a 32 bit Vista machine it gave the same error saying it couldn't find the file.

Answer 6

Is this an assembly being installed into the GAC?

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Phil Wilson

Answer 7

I'll say no, because I don't know how to do that. I just added it to the setup project and put it in the file system viewer in the Install folder.

Answer 8

Oh and it only screws up on Vista, XP and 7 work fine.

Answer 9

Anybody have any clue what's wrong?

Answer 10

In the PrimaryOutput of the Application folder of your setup project add Interop.IwshRuntimeLibrary.dll. Then rebuild your setup project and try running the setup.exe. this worked in my case.. hope this solution helps you too.. 

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Sameer G

Answer 11

sameer,

Application folder means exactly folder? I tried copying the same DLL in %AppData% folder but didn't work ... I am using installshield to create the setup project. Are you suggesting to copy the Interop.IwshRuntimeLibrary.dll include with my setup binaries? please help me