How to Create a Desktop Shortcut for a Windows Forms Application?

1. Create the application

Let’s start by creating an example Windows Forms application in Visual Studio:

• go to File → New → Project.
• Select Windows Forms application from the list of templates.
• Name your project and click Create.

2. Add the configuration project

Next, add the Configuration Project needed to create the MSI package:

• Right click on Project Solution → Add → New Project.
• unravel Advanced installer project template from the list of templates.
• Enter a name for the project and create it.

After creating the setup project, open the Advanced Installer Project (.aip) file to access and edit your installer details.

3. Add Project Product

Before we dive into creating the desktop shortcut, it’s essential to include the build output of your solution in the installer project:

• go to Files and Folders tab in the viewer and click on Add Project Product the button.
• In the opened dialog you need to select a publication profile and click OK the button.

If you do not yet have a published profile, you will be prompted to create one.
Choose to publish to a local folder. After configuring this profile, there is no need to publish anything manually – the configuration project will handle it automatically when you build it.
Then, go back to Files and Folders tab, click on Add Project Product again and select the publishing profile you just created.

4. Create the desktop shortcut for the Windows Forms application

To create the desktop shortcut, follow these steps in the Advanced Installer:

• Open your project in the Advanced Installer by clicking Switch to advanced installer button in the lower left corner of the project viewer.
• Navigate to Files and Folders page and find Application folder.

• Right click on the application executable file and select New shortcut for installed file.
• IN New file shortcut dialog, select Desktop folder HOW Shortcuts folderthen press OK the button.

After saving your project in the advanced installer, return to Visual Studio. You will be prompted to refresh the installer project since it has been modified. CLICK [Yes] the button.

5. Build and install the application

It’s time to build the configuration project to generate the MSI. Then, run it to install the app. Once the installation is complete, you will find the application shortcut on your desktop.

Tutorial video