Project Properties Dialog Box

When you create a new installer package file, many of the file's basic properties are set by default. Basic package file properties include the type of installer you are building (a Microsoft^® Windows^® installer file or a merge module), how it will be packaged, and what application name is displayed to the end user.

In most cases, you can use the Microsoft^® Visual Studio^® Installer defaults for these properties. For example, installer type defaults to installer, since in most cases developers author complete installer package (.msi) files. However, at times you might want to change these defaults. For example, you might want to create a merge module (.msm file) not an installer package file.

You can customize package file properties in the Project Properties dialog box. Use the main dialog box to enter or edit basic properties of your installer package file, including whether to configure your package file as a debug or retail version. You can also set or modify several property categories, including the type of package file (installer or merge module) you are creating, how the file is packaged and distributed, what product information will display to your end user, and other properties.

You reach this dialog box in two steps:

Select your installer project in the Project Explorer window.
From the end of the Project menu, select the InstallerProjectName Properties option.

Options

Configuration

Select the configuration of your package file from the drop-down list:

Debug Configures the installer package so it can be debugged. With Debug selected, any changes you make to project properties apply only to the debug configuration.
Retail Configures the installer package without any debug information. With Retail selected, any changes you make to project properties apply only to the retail configuration.
All Configurations Configures the installer package file for both debug and retail configurations. With All Configurations selected, any changes you make to project properties apply to both debug and retail configurations.

Arrows

Use the left and right arrows to scroll among the tabs.

Tabs

By navigating through the available tabs, you can set or modify many project properties. See the following sections for detailed information

To	See
Set project build properties, such as the installer file name and type and the distribution media	Build Tab (Project Properties Dialog Box)
Set the default application installation folder	Installation Folder Tab (Project Properties Dialog Box)
Set product information, including your application's title, product and upgrade code, version, manufacturer, and support contacts	Product Information Tab (Project Properties Dialog Box)
Set product support information for your installed product	Support Tab (Project Properties Dialog Box)
Set summary information about the installer, including the title, subject, author, keywords, and any comments	Summary Tab (Project Properties Dialog Box)
Set search paths for retrieving merge modules	Merge Module Search Path Tab (Project Properties Dialog Box)
Set any Windows installer conditions that must be true before your installer will launch the setup program	Launch Condition Tab (Project Properties Dialog Box)