How to deploy database files with Visual Studio Setup Project?

Question

I have to find a suitable location to deploy my SDF (database) file.
The file must be the same to all users
Windows applications can't write to the ProgramFiles folder.
One user can't access other user's AppData folder
A good choice would be %ProgramData%
In Visual Studio Setup Project File System view, when I right click the output folders I don't have the %ProgramData% option

How to write to that folder?

possible duplicate of Writing to AppData from a Setup & Deployment Project — Christopher Painter
– Christopher Painter, Commented Jan 17, 2011 at 13:30

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:55:28Z

1

Check this out:

Specifying c:\ProgramData folder in Setup project?

Winforms Deployment

string path = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData);

CommonApplicationData is C:\ProgramData on Windows > Vista, and something like C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on XP.

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:55

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answered Jan 17, 2011 at 13:02

Leniel Maccaferri

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1 Comment

Piers Myers Over a year ago

I suppose that should be Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData for the %ProgramData% folder.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:11:51Z

1

Actually this question is a duplicate. Here is the real way tell VDPROJ to deploy to that location:

Writing to AppData from a Setup & Deployment Project

But that will leave another problem: Standard Users won't have write privs to that directory. You'll either have to write a custom action to open it up or you'll have to use a better MSI authoring tool such as Windows Installer XML (open source) or InstallShield 2010LE ( free ) that has proper support for defining resource permissions.

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:11

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answered Jan 17, 2011 at 13:34

Christopher Painter

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2 Comments

Jader Dias Over a year ago

normal users also don't have permission to install new programs. So I don't think it would be a problem, since probably the installer will be running with admin permissions.

Christopher Painter Over a year ago

What I am saying is an Admin will install your application but when a standard user ( or an admin with UAC enabled ) runs code that tries to write to your database it will throw an exception.

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