After completing my WPF application, it was time to wrap it up in a clean, user-friendly installer. Like many developers, I initially turned to Visual Studio’s Setup Wizard (Setup Project). While it gets the job done for basic packaging, I quickly ran into its limitations — especially when it came to customization.

Here’s a quick overview of why I made the switch, what I needed, and how Inno Setup gave me the flexibility I was looking for.

🤔 Why I Left the Setup Wizard Behind
Initially, I used the built-in Setup Wizard provided by Visual Studio. It’s a drag-and-drop experience that’s great for simple installers, but here's what I couldn’t do with it:

  • ❌ No option to create a desktop shortcut
  • ❌ No way to auto-launch the application after installation
  • ❌ No custom branding or installation logic
  • ❌ Limited control over registry entries and version checks

I needed more — something that would allow me to create a polished, professional installer. That’s when I discovered Inno Setup.

✅ What I Achieved with Inno Setup:

  • ✅ Created desktop & Start Menu shortcuts
  • ✅ Launched app after installation
  • ✅ Added registry keys for license/trial handling
  • ✅ Branded the installer with a custom icon and app name
  • ✅ Controlled version checks and clean uninstall support

🔧 Brief Explanation of the Installer Script
This Inno Setup script creates a custom Windows installer for testApplication. Here's a breakdown of its key components:

  • [Setup]: Defines the application name, version, output file, privileges, and installer behavior (like compression and icon).
  • [Languages]: Adds support for English language messages.
  • [Files]: Includes:
    • The main .exe, .dll, and .config files.
    • SQLite-specific files like SQLite.Interop.dll.
    • Additional resources like images and default songs.
    • Temporary files like EULA and Terms text.
  • [Icons]: Adds Start Menu and Desktop shortcuts (controlled by user selection).
  • [Run]: Optionally runs the application after installation.
  • [Code]:
    • Adds custom wizard pages for Terms & Conditions, License Agreement, and Install Options.
    • Provides checkboxes for:
      • Accepting license terms.
      • Creating desktop shortcuts.
      • Running the app post-install.
    • Validates if the license checkbox is checked before proceeding.

📁 Full Script on GitHub Gist:
https://github.com/YashMaisuirya13/InnoScriptWpf.git

💡Pro Tips
🛠️ Use Inno Script Studio or ISTool for a more visual experience when editing scripts.
📁 {app} is a helpful macro that points to the installation directory.
🧠 Use the [Code] section for advanced logic like checking existing versions or validating registry keys.
🧪 Always test your installer in a clean VM or sandbox environment.

With Inno Setup, I was finally able to deliver an installer that matched the polish and professionalism of the application itself.

Let me know if you’d like help building your own installer!

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