.net bootstrapper for online distribution

Question

I know how to build a .NET bootstrapper to be distributed via CD/DVD using dotnetInstaller. But I am planning to distribute my application over internet. I have an .msi and dependencies like .NET framework 3.5, Crystal report and a couple of more. I want that when a user want to use the application, he clicks on download link...a single .exe is downloaded. Then when he starts installation, pre-requisites like .NET framework 3.5, Crystal Report and other prerequisites are downloaded from net and installed and finally my .msi is installed.

I went through the documentation of dotnetInstaller but unable to figure it out.

So guys anyone has got experience over it...please give me guide me out...

Answer 1

Finally I got the solution for what I was looking and it is iExpress. It is always there in windows.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-make-an-exe-installation-file/

Answer 2

You might want to have a look at ClickOnce

Using ClickOnce you can distribute from a CD (or the web), include a bootstrap to install prerequisites and keep the program up-to-date.

EDIT

If you want to install the application in Program Files you have to first install the application from a CD or share that is trusted and install the application as an administrator. After that ClickOnce can be used to keep the application up-to-date.

Answer 3

Another option is called Omaha. This one is similar to ClickOnce, but used by Google to install and update their applications (Google Chrome, Google Earth) on Windows clients.

Omaha Overview