How to add .Net framework prerequisite to setup install

Question

I have a C# WinForms project in MS Visual Studio 2017. I have added a Visual Studio Installer Setup Wizard Project to create an installer for my application. Th

Answer 1

For Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 the correct folder to add the bootstrapper packages is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\SDK\Bootstrapper\Packages\

Links for the various redistributable .NET packages can be found here along with info on different deployment options: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/deployment/deployment-guide-for-developers

The error messages give you the correct folders to add to the packages folder. So the file NDP46-KB3045557-x86-x64-AllOS-ENU.exe should be added to a folder "DotNetFX46" under Packages.

I really do not understand why Microsoft has not taken the steps to make this an automated process or at least provide a step by step guide on how to add the bootstrap packages to different versions on Visual Studio. The procedure and folders have changed several times over the years.

The public key mismach is most likely due to the fact that there have been at least two versions of the NDP46-KB3045557-x86-x64-AllOS-ENU.exe file distributed with the same filename, but different public keys. Check this link: https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/1584164/bootstrapper-packages-have-broken-links-and-wrong-public-keys