C# Desktop App Deployment with Squirrel - Easier than MSI Files, Better than ClickOnce
Why Stack Overflow recommends it
Stack Overflow users link it when answering or following questions about packaging, installing and auto-updating Windows desktop apps with Squirrel.
Recommended by 2 people across 2 different months, 2019 to 2023.
What it is
A 47-minute tutorial by Tim Corey on deploying C# desktop applications with Squirrel, an installer and auto-update framework. He builds a custom NuGet package, releasifies it, installs the app, and then ships a code update to show automatic updating.
What people said
Recommends Thoryn Hawley · 2019-05 · Stack Overflow · on “How to make a setup for c# app that uses a vbscript copying a file from LAN?”
I don't normally like giving answers that are mostly links, but it is too much to post here. Here is a quick summary: There are quite a few things that can do what you are asking. The one I like is called Squirrel. I recently had to learn how to use it while deploying an application for my company. The steps in a nutshell(see what I did there? :) Build your application (optionally add the update checker code first - see links for details) Package your application into a .nuget file using Nuget Package Explorer [LINK] (details in links below) Run the squirrel --releasify on your nuget It will output the setup files that you are looking for in the Releases directory. More information (that you
Recommends Abubakr Mahdi · 2023-01 · Stack Overflow · on “C# Winforms autoupdate check”
It seems you are looking for something that allow you to have folder in your disk or a shared drive that can be used as local server to help you make updates without using internet connection , I introduce you to Squirrel.Windows its an open source installation and update framework for Windows desktop apps. Here is link for Getting Started With Squirrel [LINK] . And here is a [this video] by Tim Corey where he explain Squirrel practically with demo windows forms project. Happy Codding...
Cites Allan · 2019-04 · Stack Overflow · on “How to avoid SQLite-db being replaced during update of C# WPF app”
I got my app (wpf with a SQLite-db) to work using Squirrel. But when I deploy a new version, the db-file are replaced with an empty db. I have tried to remove the db file in the newest nupkg, hoping the update will leave the existing db-file. But this will just cause the app to fail during runtime, due to the existing db was deleted by the automatic update. All the other changes made to the app, Is updated and working. I have followed this tutorial on youtube: [this video] I expect the data stored in the SQLite-db in the app v. 1.0 still to be available in the app v. 2.0.