Visual Studio 2005 Setup Wizard – creating desktop shortcuts for all users

desktopinstallationshortcutwindows-installerwizard

I'm using the setup wizard project to create an msi installer for a Windows Forms application. I've configured it to install a desktop shortcut, but unfortunately it only puts a shortcut on the desktop of user running the installer. Is there any way to configure it to put shortcuts on the desktops of all users?

Best Answer

In the file system editor of your project

  1. Create a new custom folder (Give it a name like "All Users Start Menu")
  2. Change the default location to [DesktopFolder] (same applies to [StartMenuFolder]) (See documentation and for Start Menu)
  3. Set the Property value to ALLUSERS

That should do it, put your shortcuts in the new custom folder. This will allow you to install into the "All Users" folder even though you are installing for "Just Me" for the rest of the installer.

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