Using ClickOnce to Deploy an App that Dynamically Loads DLLs

If your application dynamically loads DLL files at run-time — for example, using Assembly.LoadFrom() — the ClickOnce publishing utility within Visual Studio won't automatically include these DLL files. Here's how to get those files included in the deployment.

  1. Use the ClickOnce publishing in Visual Studio on the main app
    • Publishing Location = a Publish subdirectory under the main source code folder
    • Installation URL = http://MyDomain.com/apps/MyApp.
    • Publish Version > Automatically increment revision with each publish = OFF
    • Updates button
      • The application should check for updates = ON
      • Specify a minimum required version for this application = ON
    • Options button
      • Publisher Name = MyCompany
      • Product Name = MyApp
      • Deployment Web Page = publish.htm
    • Publish Now button
  2. In Windows Explorer, browse to the folder containing the new web application
  3. Make a copy of the version folder and rename it with the next version number
  4. Copy all of the extra assemblies (and other files) from your project file(s) into this new folder
  5. In the new folder, open the application manifest (e.g., MyApp.exe.manifest) in MAGE
    • On the Name page, update the version
    • On the Files page, click the Populate button, allowing it to add the .DEPLOY extension and override existing files.
    • If MAGE crashes, simply restart it, and re-update the version on the Name page.
  6. Save the application manifest, using the certificate in the AppSplash directory.
  7. In the main folder, open the non-versioned deployment manifest (e.g., MyApp.application) in MAGE
    • On the Name page, update the version to match the application manifest
    • On the Application Reference page, click the Select Manifest button and specify the new application manifest you just created.
    • Save and sign the deployment manifest.