How to load an .exe as a .NET assembly?

Question

Can I just use?:

Assembly.LoadFile

Not sure if this is the way to do this?

But when I try that approach, it throws a Could not lo

Answer 1

Yes, you can use Assembly.LoadFile(). Check your path.

Answer 2

You will need to make sure that the dependencies are also loaded into the app domain. If they aren't located automatically, you can subscribe to AppDomain.AssemblyResolve in order to find and load assemblies manually if needs be.

For example:

private Assembly AssemblyEventHandler(object sender, ResolveEventArgs args)
{
    return locatedAssembly;
}

Also, I would consider using Assembly.LoadFrom, particularly after reading this which has a strong assertion by nobugz and links to some good reading (all dated but ought to still be withstanding for the most part.)

Answer 3

If you use Assembly.LoadFrom() dependencies will be loaded from the directory where assembly is located.

Assembly.LoadFile() is ignoring all other DLLs and exe files in the same folder.

Answer 4

Yes, you can load a .Net exe the same way as you would load a Dll. The error you get is caused by dependencies of your exe. Make sure that the those dependencies can be found, i.e. are in your assembly search path.