I reviewed multiple responses from this platform about this new issue that I am experiencing and was wondering if there was a better way.
I created a Console application, utilizing DOTNET Framework 4.8 in the latest version of Visual Studio 2022. I conducted a Clean and rebuild of the Console App to create its EXE file. Then, I moved the generated EXE from the Release BIN folder to another folder on my Server for production. However, when I called and executed the EXE, I get an error that supporting DLLs were missing. I am using SendGrid to send emails from within the EXE and did install the Nuget Package to support the SendGrid functionalities.
In order for the EXE to work, I had to also drag all the generated DLLs from the release folder. This was never the case before.
How do I compile the EXE so it works as is into one single file?
Thank you for all of your answers and support. After reading all of them, the Publish recommendation is the winner. I was able to get just one exe file that I then transferred to my Server and it runs without issues on its own. I am not being asked to provide the SendGrid DLL or any other requests.
The pic below depicts my Publish Settings for net6.0. As a supporting document for this process, I also found the following article: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/deploying/single-file/overview
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I've just finished my Windows Forms App project in Visual Studio using C#. I know I need to release it. To do so I need to go from Debug mode to Release above in VS and then just click on F6. After that I have a folder with an exe file in it. But in my project I use a dll library which was copied on my PC and registered by regsvr32.exe in cmd. Next in VS I went to Solution Explorer and added the library in References by writing the path to it. I also use two packages which were installed by NuGet Package Manager.
My program is developed to use it by my coworkers so I have to distribute it to them. The problem is that I don't know how to prepare my app for it.
I'm reading lots of different articles about the release step but I'm getting more confused. People usually write that I can just copy the exe file in the release folder and use it in another PC after installing .Net there. But in my project there are also the three libraries and without them my program won't work in another PC. I can copy and register the first library on other computers but what about the last two? How to set up them correctly?
About the first library, I put it in a folder created by me manually in the C directory of my computer. The release folder is in another place. And when registering this library in cmd and then adding it to References, I specified the path to it. It means if the path has been changed, it won't be possible to use the library in the project. I tried some times. It's not convenient and when placing the app in another PC without VS where I can specify the path, my program won't probably work. So it would be very convenient to place this library next to the release folder and after putting it in another PC, the path to the library wouldn't cause any problems.
To sum up, I'm looking for the way to easily and conveniently distribute my program to users. Of course, I want to put my app and the libraries together in a PC, not to set up them separately and then tune them separately to make the program work there. Might there a way to release it as an app with all the libraries connected to it?
I feel it must be easy but I'm not so experienced. I'm sorry for that.
It is recommended that you use ClickOnce deployment:
ClickOnce deployment is a Microsoft technology that allows you to easily deploy your Windows Forms App along with all its dependencies. With ClickOnce deployment, you can publish your application to a web server or a file share and users can install it by simply clicking on a link. ClickOnce will automatically download and install all the required DLLs and packages on the user's computer.
Of course, there are some third-party packaging software that I can't recommend. If ClickOnce doesn't help you, I'll think of other ways.
My mail-provider has made an update, which generated some problems using Dot.Net Mail in an older Windows Form C# solution. I found, that it is recommended to use MailKit/Mimekit instead of Dot.Net mail. So I decided also to upgrade to newer Visual Studio 2019, where I can use NuGet packages.
I installed Visual Studio 2019, installed MailKit using Manage NuGet Packages (Browse, Right Click, Install) and made a simple test-program in C# (Windows Form Solution) where I send an Email with some attachments.
The solution works 100 % - as long as I execute the solution (both debug and Release builds on the PC where the program is build.
When I copy the Release version (exe-file) to a similar PC (Win 10, DotNet 4.8) I get the following error: Could not load File or Assembly 'Mimekit, Version 2.10.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKey Token=bede1c8a46c66814' or one of its dependencies.
The same happens if I transfer the exe-file to a Win 7 - PC.
I have
Checked that both MailKit an MimeKit is listed in the Solutions References
Tried to uninstall and reinstall both MailKit and MimeKit (version 2.10.0)
Tried to upgrade MimeKit to version 2.10.1
It is my first solution in Visual Studio 2019 - as well as my first use of a NuGet Package.
I expected that the built Release Version could be transferred to another PC as a file copy, but something seems to be missing.
I have no clue what to do !?
#Jada_DK, copying executable alone doesn't make the dependencies available on other PC. You'll need to distribute the application through publish wizard or create an installer. Kindly refer the documentation here. Alternatively, if it's a quick sample application you don't intend to distribute, you can copy the entire bin/debug or bin/release folder to another machine and run the application.
I have a Setup Project for my winforms application. After installing the application using the generated .msi i navigate to the installation folder and try to run the .exe file and nothing happens. I don't get an error or anything.
Steps i've tried to solve my problem.
Making sure the target platform x86 matches in the main project, setup project and every other project in the solution that the application has a dependency on.
In the setup project, made sure that i have a project output in the application folder that references the primary output from the main project. And that the dlls i use also are listed there.
Ran the application as administrator.
Activated Click Once security settings in the main project.
Ran sfc /scannow without finding any issues.
Restarted my computer.
When installing the program using the generated .msi on another computer i have the same issue.
When running the program from visual studion it works perfectly fine.
It is likely that your application is crashing because of some missing dependency.
Possible reasons:
A missing assembly (say, for eg, is all your third party dependencies present in the application folder after the installation ?)
Difference between .Net framework versions between your machine and the installed machine (say, for eg. 4.7 vs 4.7.2)
One useful tool that has helped us in the past is to use the Windows Event Viewer. If the program is indeed crashing, it is likely to have details about the reason for crash.
You can then use it as a starting point for further investigation.
I have a console application built in visual studio 2010.
When I actually build the project I am getting .exe file under \bin\Debug\MyProj.exe.
When I Paste and run this .exe from other location it is expecting other files too.
Any thoughts how can I make this as Stand alone exe file.
There should be other DLL's in the Debug library. You need those to run your exe.
If there are no DLL's there, make sure you set the 'Copy local' property of the required references to True, and build again.
If you want to make a standalone program, you should create a new Setup project in your solution. Include the Primary Output from your application project, and the setup should include the required DLL's automatically. Once you build the setup project, you can install your application as a standalone software.
You usually distribute application with bunch of DLLs, that's nothing bad.
But if you really want to make it a single exe, you can look here - same question is answered Embed .net dll in c# .exe . (Valid if your DLLs are also .Net assemblies)
Edit: If you need to easily distribute app to not-very-computer-friendly users, consider also trying ClickOnce. It's roughly something like Java Web start - only disadvantage is that you can't get "Windows Logo" certificate from Microsoft for projects distributed that way.
I don't have Visual Studio 2010 to experiment with, but in Visual Studio 2019 this worked:
Project Properties->Configuration Properties->Advanced->Use of MFC->Use MFC in a Static Library
Here's an error I get when I try to install my application from the publish location:
I have my application (and a DLL used by it) linked to version 1.61.4111... of QWhale.Common which is a 3rd party DLL. I have been used this version since about 4 updates ago and never had this problem. I have no idea which part of my application or DLL could be trying to link to the older version. The only thing I did different on this version is that I moved my application's project folders to a new location in my computer.
Where should I start trying to find where this problem is coming from? Did you ever have this problem before?
As Yahia commented, this can be a licensing issue but if you've been using this assembly for a while and if you've been compiling it with your application, there is a chance that a setting associated with the file could have changed with your projects settings.
Assuming you are using Visual Studio, I recommend opening your Projects properties window and navigating to the Publish tab and opening the Application Files Dialog.
From there, find the referenced, 3rd party assemblies make try setting the Publish Status to Include and the DownloadGroup to (Required).
Save your changes and republish your application.