What is the best way to update an MSI installation over the internet?

Question

What is the best way to update an MSI installation over the internet?

ClickOnce doesn\'t support MSIs.

I need the update to occur automatically over the inte

Answer 1

Here is what I would usually do (its just a concept of how I update my program):

• Use Advanced Installer Or any other MSI installer/packer supports Command Line to pack the files of your updated program. You need to set the parameters correctly and test it before you proceed to next step.

• Go to Visual Studio -> select your project then -> properties -> Build Events.

• In "Post-Build event command line" textbox enter the command line parameters you created earlier then click ok.

• Now whenever you build your project, visual studio will automatically pack your files with MSI installer/packer.

• Last step is to look for FTP Client works from command line also.

• Set the correct parameters and add it to "Post-Build event" after the previous one.

• Now if you build your project with visual studio again. Your files will be automatically packed then uploaded to your server.

Now your files should be fully updated on the server and you don't need to worry about that anymore. That's the best solution I've found, I'm using it and it works like a charm...

EDIT: one more thing, you can also add a simple routine to look for newer updates on server inside your program. something like checking the MD5 hash of the files or the files versions etc. once the routine finds a new update it should prompt that to the user and then you can tell the user to download the latest update etc...