Creating Installable exe file and product key generation - uninstallation problem*

Question

Hi I have created a project which contains 40-45 windows forms (using Visual studio C# express edition 2008). Now I want to create an installable exe file for my project. As in 2003/2005 .NET framework there is no option to create an installable exe file in 2008 edition. So plz help me to create an installable exe file for my project. Also I want to know how to generate a 16/25 digit key code to my project just like windows I mean when we install a windows os to our system it asks us to enter a product key similar to that I want to have a product key for my project. Thanks Sachi

Kirtan Patel · Answer

Yes Setup Project Having Capability to Delete registry key Which is Written At installation Time and it does it Automatically . as you are using Express Edition it has limitation that cant create setup projects as Professional Editition Does But Today I Searched google and Found Nice Program for you That can easily manage to Create Nice Setup for you Setup Stream 2 is Freeware and having Capability to Add Registry Key too at Installation time ;-) Download it From http://www.moddb.com/downloads/setup-stream-2 As per my Idea Following Are Steps that How it Will Work 1. Installation Starts it Writes The Blank Serial StringValue SerialKey into Registry Say HKEY_CUrrentUSER\Softwares\Sachi\. 2. Now Application Installed When it Run it Checks for The Registry Entry For Correct Serial as Installation hase Writen Blank SerialKey String Value it is obveous that it will not match to  RS41-S742-M6T6-83CT for example to our serial so it will pop up Product key Dialog and Ask User to Enter Valid Key 3. if User Enter Valid key that matches to RS41-S742-M6T6-83CT  then Write that Serial into Registry Back in that SerialKey StringValue at HKEY_CUrrentUSER\Softwares\Sachi\ 4. Now when Next Time you run the Application . Application will check for SerialKey in registry and It Will Find Valid Key so it will not launch that Product Key Dialog Happy Coding :)

Kirtan Patel · Answer

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Sudhir Patil · Answer

i am trying to add this code in my windows app but not sure add it in which file or form control...please help..

abhirami umayal · Answer

@ @ Kirtan Patel im new to .netnow only i learnt how to create a setup file.now i need to add a product key(like) so that nobody can use my setup without the product keyi read many tutorials.i found it can be done by using registry keybuti dont have enough information.pls can u tell me where i should paste that code.how do i run.can u tell step by step pls.. @ sachi vasishta if u got any solutions also pls help.

Rahul Pandey · Answer

Hi Kirtan I am having similar problem with the registry part. could you please elaborate the steps that are required to insert that registry key into the given fields in setup stream 2 . like what are the fields that needs to be filled here in Setup Stream2: (the fields are) Root: HKEY_CURRENT_USER Subkey*: Value Name: Value Type: String/Binary/Expanded String/Multi-string/Number Value Data: correct me if i am wrong am i suppose to fill it in this way: Root: HKEY_CURRENT_USER Subkey*: Software\MySoftwareName Value Name: Value Type: String Value Data: AB1334GFIR3DR24R5 // Serial key am I right please help because i am stuck here for the last 2 days...

Kirtan Patel · Answer

Hi Sachi there is Screen in which you can specify Pre-uninstall Command in Setup Stream 2 try following command to remove registry reg.exe delete HKCU\Software	est /force let me know if its work because i have not tested it because of i having windows 7 and it cause error here so letme know if works in your machine :) Happy Coding :)

sachi vasishta · Answer

Kirtan the ideas you have given are working fine but when I uninstall the application the serial key value written in the registry will not be removed. So when I uninstall the application and install it agian the application directly runs the login form which should come only after I register a serial key in registry. How to remove the serial key value from the registry when the application is uninstalled Thanks

sachi vasishta · Answer

Thanks alot Kirtan. Kirtan Now I am working with the setup stream2 and I followed the instructions in their manual. Kirtan but I dont know how to write the serial key value RS41-S7L2-M6T6-83CT into registry after I enter this 16 digit value for the very first time. Kirtan also in the code you have sent I didn't get this line?? string Serial = regkey.GetValue(AppSerial  ).ToString(); // what is Appserial Kirtan I have given the following values to the setupstream 2's registry settings Root: HKEY_CURRENT_USER Path: Software\myproduct Key: HomeDir Value: '' Type: String // are all values correct? and kirtan inorder to create setup in this setupstream2 whether I have to give only the exe file or all four files that are present in Debug folder. Thanks Sachi

sachi vasishta · Answer

Thanks kirtan Kirtan but in 2008 express edition it doesnot contain option like solution explorer->view->registry. I am searching in the net but there are no proper replies. If you find the way Please reply me. Kirtan I want to know on uninstalling the application will the key saved in the registry gets deleted/uninstalled or not?. Let me explain you the scenario. After publishing my project I am going to install the application on different systems. When I install the application first time it asks me the product key if successful it takes me to the login form. Then if I uninstall the application whether the key saved in registry gets deleted or not. kirtan I have the following code in my form which gets executed when the application is installed namespace Lkey { public partial class Form1 : Form { public Form1() { InitializeComponent(); } private void Form1_Activated(object sender EventArgs e) { RegistryKey regkey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(@softwares\companyname\ true); // KIRTAN IS THIS RIGHT? I didn't get this string serial = regkey.GetValue(AppSerial ).ToString(); regkey.Close(); if (serial != RS41-S742-M6T6-83CT) // THE PRODUCT KEY { // open product key form Form1 pkey=new Form1(); pkey.Show(); } else { // open login form Form2 login=new Form2(); login.Show(); } } } }

Kirtan Patel · Answer

Hi Sachi First of All make your Setup Project Capable to Create Entry in HKEY_CURRENTUSER like Below Its not Complete Code But Just Code that i have Writen to Show you Example How to Code for Registry using Microsoft.Win32; private void Form1_Load( object sender EventArgs e) { RegistryKey regkey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey( @Softwares\CompanyName\ true); string Serial = regkey.GetValue( AppSerial  ).ToString(); regkey.Close(); if (Serial !=  YourCustome generated Serial) { // Show Serial Validation Dialog SerialDialog sd = new SerialDialog(); SerialDialog.ShowDialog(); //Now Write Code For Form Closing if User Gives Wrong Serial number !! } }

sachi vasishta · Answer

Thanks kirtan for giving good idea. Kirtan but I want to know how to Create resistry Key When I Install Software and to write Serial In Registry and to compare it every time when software is loaded . Thanks

Kirtan Patel · Answer

Hi Sachi you can use Serial Shield SDK to Protect your Software Copy and Licensing Software With Serial key http://www.ionworx.com/solutions.html or if you cant afford it Just Give You Simple Idea Create registry Key When you Install Software write Serial In Registry and Compare it Every time when Software is Loaded if its True Software Will run else Will ask you For Serial .. Happy Coding :)