How do i create an InstallShield LE project to install a windows service?

Question

I downloaded Visual Studio 2012 yesterday when it was released on MSDN. I have noticed that a few of the project types that we had in 2010 are gone or different. The bigges

Answer 1

I had all sorts of problems with this.

As follows.

1. InstallShield takes ages to download
2. the registration process is a pain.
3. the configuration options are confusing and overly complex.
4. the accepted solution on this thread is a hack and it doesn't always work - see 1001 in the documentation - essentially you need to get through the paywall to get the right configuration options to install a windows service.

Solution for me as mentioned elsewhere - was to abandon InstallShield

Very easy from that point.

Edit: Update - install the latest version from here https://wix.codeplex.com/releases/view/115492 for vs 2013 / 2015

Answer 2

Visual Studio setup projects are back in VS 2013 as a visual studio extension.

https://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/9abe329c-9bba-44a1-be59-0fbf6151054d

Please update your solution and projects to VS 2013. If you are still in VS 2010, you are probably better off by upgrading directly to VS 2013.

My experience with Installsheild LE is that it is very quirky but once you figure out the tricks, it is easier to use. However, I think that the limited edition is a way by Microsoft and Flexera to sell the fully featured edition. In other words, first we pay Microsoft a lot of money for Visual Studio and then their partner (in crime) more for Installsheild. Bad strategy which did not work out since they had to bring back the setup projects in VS 2013.

Answer 3

Wanted to put this here;

On VS 2015, when doing this, I ran into the 1001 error upon installation repeatedly.

Answer on this page explained that on the newer versions (anything past 2012), apparently you need to explicitly leave the installer class option unchecked, and then add your windows service under the Services section under Step 3 of the installer project:

Error 1001 when installing custom Windows Service

Answer 4

I've written about this subject:

Augmenting InstallShield using Windows Installer XML - Windows Services

Basically you create a merge module using WiX to encapsulate the service and then add it to your installshield project. ( Be sure to associate to the INSTALLDIR directory to make sure your file goes where you expect ). Build and test on a VM. Piece of cake.

Answer 5

While using the installer class checkbox may work for some instances, you may experience the following error:

Error 1001.The specified service already exists

Here is an excerpt from this link on how to resolve this issue:

For Error: Error 1001.The specified service already exists

This error will occur if the component installing a .NET Service is incorrectly configured with ".NET Installer Class" set to Yes. The method to install a .NET Service is to use Component\Advanced Settings\Services view, not the ".NET Installer Class" setting. Making definitions in the Component\Advanced Settings\Services view creates entries in the Windows Installer ServiceControl and ServiceInstall Tables. These entries are used by the Windows Installer "InstallServices" action to install the Service.