How do I create an installer for a Windows Service that I have created using Visual Studio?
In the service project do the following:
Now you need to make a setup project. The best thing to do is use the setup wizard.
Right click on your solution and add a new project: Add > New Project > Setup and Deployment Projects > Setup Wizard
a. This could vary slightly for different versions of Visual Studio. b. Visual Studio 2010 it is located in: Install Templates > Other Project Types > Setup and Deployment > Visual Studio Installer
On the second step select "Create a Setup for a Windows Application."
On the 3rd step, select "Primary output from..."
Click through to Finish.
Next edit your installer to make sure the correct output is included.
You can edit the installer output name by right clicking the Installer project in your solution and select Properties. Change the 'Output file name:' to whatever you want. By selecting the installer project as well and looking at the properties windows, you can edit the Product Name
, Title
, Manufacturer
, etc...
Next build your installer and it will produce an MSI and a setup.exe. Choose whichever you want to use to deploy your service.