How to make the msi overwrite program if a previous version exist?

Hassanation picture Hassanation · Aug 31, 2012 · Viewed 8.2k times · Source

I am using Visual Studio 2010, I am working on a windows application and while trying to make an automatic updater for it faced a serious problem.

When the program find a new version and trying to install it, it couldn't because of two reasons:

1- the application is exist in my program files. so that window appears enter image description here

2- the application is already opened "the form that performed the update process".

The problem doesn't have any relation with the version number.

It's about the program existence and the ability to install a new version although the previous version is opened.

Answer

cosmin picture cosmin · Aug 31, 2012

To enable the automated major upgrade mechanism you need to increase the ProductVersion and change the ProductCode. This is done through the project Properties pane.

You can read more about upgrades here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa370579(v=vs.85).aspx