Member Avatar for blondie.simon

When I install my application I would like a shortcut to be added to the desktop. How can i do this? I am running Visual Studio 2005 Standard Edition

Thanks

Simon

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As asked, the simplest route is the Setup & Deployment project (as and pointed out). Two alternatives are often more robust: create the shortcut at first run from your VB.NET app (avoids installer quirks and UAC surprises), or use a dedicated MSI tool like WiX for better control and repeatable installs.

A compact VB.NET approach (call on first run or from an Installer class). Add a COM reference to "Windows Script Host Object Model" and then:

Imports IWshRuntimeLibrary
Imports System.IO

Public Sub CreateDesktopShortcut(allUsers As Boolean)
    Dim desktopPath = If(allUsers,
                        Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonDesktopDirectory),
                        Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.DesktopDirectory))

    Dim linkPath = Path.Combine(desktopPath, "MyApp.lnk")
    Dim shell = New WshShell()
    Dim shortcut = CType(shell.CreateShortcut(linkPath), IWshShortcut)
    shortcut.TargetPath = Application.ExecutablePath
    shortcut.WorkingDirectory = Application.StartupPath
    shortcut.IconLocation = Application.ExecutablePath & ",0"
    shortcut.Save()
End Sub

Notes and troubleshooting:

  • Use Environment.GetFolderPath to choose per-user (DesktopDirectory) vs all-users (CommonDesktopDirectory) — writing to the common desktop requires admin rights; see the .NET docs for details (Environment.GetFolderPath).
  • If an installer-created shortcut is missing, verify the installer actually installed the EXE where the shortcut points, and test privileges (UAC). Enabling MSI logging (msiexec logging) helps diagnose silent failures.
  • For complex installers (advertising, repair, custom actions, MSI best practices) consider WiX (wixtoolset.org) instead of the built-in setup project.

This complements the Setup project approach recommended by and others: if the setup-project route fails or you need per-user logic, the runtime code above is a reliable fallback.

Recommended Answers

All 5 Replies

Member Avatar for ahilan_23

In the File menu--> New Project Types Tools and Deployement Option in There using that U can create Application Files to Place Program Files ,Start Menu Entry,Desktop Shortcuts and Registry Entry.

Member Avatar for Jx_Man

when you create a setup, u can make shortcut and place it on desktop folder.

Member Avatar for SolTec

When I install my application I would like a shortcut to be added to the desktop. How can i do this? I am running Visual Studio 2005 Standard Edition

Thanks

Simon

In the Setup and Deployment side of VB.NET 2005, there is a "desktop" are where you can place an icon on installation and it will install the icon to the desktop as well as the program file.

Member Avatar for ahilan_23

In VS 2005 Setup and Deployment Project
Users Desktop Folder is there.
Right Click From that Folder--->Create ShortCut Link in Pop up menu select it-->It Creates an lnk file with Default Name-->Rename it-->Right Click that file IT shows Properies window--->In Icon attribute set the Requires image icon to place in desktop

Member Avatar for kishorrana

how would i make a set up file using vb.net 2005? and which file add in set up file in which folder?

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