Building a Merge Module (.msm File)

With Microsoft® Visual Studio® Installer, you can build merge modules (.msm files) to share with other application installers. Two methods are available:

To build an installer project into a merge module

  1. Make sure the Build type project property (on the Build Tab of the Project Properties dialog box) is set to Merge Module.

  2. In the Project Explorer, select the installer project.

  3. On the Build menu, click the option to Build your project.

    Note   The Build menu may include options for building either your project or the entire solution. If your project is part of a larger solution, you can select the Build Solution option to build the entire solution, including your installer project.

    Visual Studio Installer builds your project and displays the message "Solution update succeeded" in the lower left corner of the development window when the build is complete.