Build an msi package for Csharp using WiX

Preface

This page will describe in short terms how to build an msi package for an Csharp (C#) project. The resulting package will not give the end user any installation options to choose between.

Prerequisites

• Visual Studio. I used 2015 version.
• An C# project that does not need the end user to select install options.
• WiX --> http://wixtoolset.org/releases/ This was written while v3.10.3 was lates stable release.
• WaX --> In VS 2015 go to "Tools" -> "Extensions and updates", then click "Online" and in the search box type “wax”

Step by step

1. Install WiX
2. Install WaX
3. Open the C# project solution you want to build an msi package for.
4. Add a WiX setup project to the solution.
5. Mark your solution in the solution explorer.
6. Click "File" -> "Add" -> "New Project"
7. Search for “Windows installer XML”
8. Select "Setup project"
9. Type in a name but know that this will be the filename of your msi package. I will use 'SetupProject' from now on and this will result in SetupProject.msi as filename.
10. Click "Tools"
11. Select "Wix Setup Editor"
12. "Setup project to edit:" should already be filled in as "SetupProject (..\SetupProject)"
13. As "Root directory" select "INSTALLFOLDER (SetupProject)"

References

• http://www.mesta-automation.com/create-an-installer-for-c-sharp-with-wix/