How to Automatically Update Windows Forms Applications?

Learn how to automatically update a Windows Forms Application using Visual Studio and a web host. This tutorial covers creating the app, configuring automatic updates, and updating the app with new features. Find out how to manage updates more efficiently with a packaging tool like Advanced Installer.

📌 Steps covered in this tutorial:

0:18 | Install Microsoft Visual Studio Installer extension
1:27 | Add the necessary references
1:41 | Add the code for the Auto Update process
4:27 | Provide the URL for the .txt file and the .zip containing the MSI
5:30 | Create the installer package for your application
5:54 | Add a project output
6:05 | Create a desktop shortcut
6:17 | Build the setup project and run the MSI to install the application
6:50 | Customize your WinForms application
7:23 | Steps to provide the update
8:50 | Install the update

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✨Advanced Installer is an all-in-one Application Packaging Tool for Software Developers and IT Professionals.
Designed for building MSI, MSIX AppX, and App-V packages, deploying applications updates, repackaging, and MSI/MST editing.

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#windowsforms #visualstudio #automaticupdates #advancedinstaller

[truetimesystems]

Thank you very much, your guidance saved my lots of time.

[syrod]

i need this right now. thanks for the video. new subscriber here

[Arturo]

thank u for this video, do u know if this tuto works for a windows service ?

[annguyen]

Thank you very much.
When installing a new msi, is there any way to have the application automatically reselect the installed folder?
for example my old app is installing at "D:\ABC

[JfhuTheJedi]

Are we able to change the GUI of the installer to give it a certain theme?

[dotptjz]

Hi, when I tried this method, there's a warning window "Setup files in use. Following applications are using files which installer must update. Required to restart system.

[gavinmaynard]

Is there a way for the app to automatically install an update when the user selects "yes" for update? Rather than having to go through the setup wizard every time?

[Alca]

This might be work with net 6/7 on all operating systems?

[diegoburciaga]

I have an error saying "The name 'ZipFile' does not exist in the current context" which is refering to the line: ZipFile.ExtractToDirectory(zipPath, extractPath); can anyone please explain how I can fix this?

[petermuthiks]

Thank you for this tutorial but am having a bit of a problem when the setup file is big. The code get to this part ( string zipPath = @".\MyAppSetup.rar";) before the new setup has been downloaded and i get file does not exist error.

[iamahmetkoca]

It doesn't update when I don't start it as administrator. Is there a solution for this

[roarkr]

Does this code also works for a WPF app

[eymenefealtunn]

I am trying the same steps for NetCore Wpf App but does not work. I can not add reference of System.IO.Compression to my NetCore app. This is the only step which is not same with the vide. I'd appreciate any help.