How To Install To The Start Menu And Desktop
This tutorial gives a step by step instruction on how to install your program so that it is also accessible from the Start Menu and through a Desktop Shortcut.
Assuming you have already created the setup the project, as outlined in previous tutorials, follow these steps.
Step 1. Enter the File System view
- Right click on the setup project in the Solution Explorer window.
- Expand the View option.
- Select the File System option.
- You will see a treeview with File System on Target Machine as the root, with Application Folder, User's Desktop, and User's Program Menu underneath it.
Step 2. Adding a Shortcut to the User's Desktop
- Click on the User's Desktop item in the treeview. The pane to the right should appear blank.
- Right-click in the blank righthand pane and choose Create Shortcut from the context menu that appears.
- A Select Items in Project dialog window will appear. Double click on Application Folder and select the item entitled "Primary output from YourProject".
- Click OK. You will return to the File System pane where a new item should have been created. Type in the name you would like to give this shortcut, as you want it to appear on the user's desktop.
Step 3. Adding a Shortcut to the User's Programs Menu
- Click on the User's Programs Menu item in the treeview. The pane to the right should appear blank.
- If you wish for the shortcut to appear in the Program Menu root, follow the procedure from Step 2 to create the shortcut.
- Otherwise, create a folder by right clicking in the blank pane and choosing Add > Folder. A folder will be created in the treeview. Give the folder an appropriate name, and follow the procedure from Step 2 to create the shortcut underneath this folder.