Wix project template for Visual Studio Express versions?

Question

Is it possible to use Wix with Express editions? I am interested in 2010/2012 versions. I know I can use candle and light from the command line, but I am interested in integ

Answer 1

The Express versions of VS does not allow to extend the VS with the necessary plug-ins. So you have to stay with the command line.

Alternatively to VS you could try WiXEdit.

Answer 2

Actually, if the goal is to have a free installer suite, WiX is perfectly happy installing into Visual Studio Shell Integrated, which is freely available. All features of WiX are available.

The only limitation is you have to open a different instance of Visual Studio in order to build your installer, but I haven't found this to be limiting in the slightest, and in fact I appreciate the separation of concerns.

Of course, another solution these days is to simply use VS Community Edition.