Local database for windows xp application

Question

I'm writing an application for a bunch of xp users. My application should be able to run on the minimum requirements (the least possible, the users use old old computers).

At first I started developing on VS 2012 and .Net 3.5 + SqlLocalDB. Later I found out that xp does not support SqlLocalDB, then I switched to SqlExpress and I still can not install my application on xp (even though if it worked, it was a little heavy cause you need 20 minutes to install it, not a one click solution), and it does not give a proper error message, it just says this application is not a valid win32 application.

I am even switching to VS 2010 to make things clearer in my head, can't get where the problem is.

By the way I am using LinqToSql technology so I need the DB to be Sql, even more on the other versions (.Net 4.0 and SqlLocalDB) I can use .mdf database files, so I would rather not to go around Access database.

Anyway, this is the case : I need to run an application with .Net 3.5 and a Local Database, I want the installation to be as easy as a one click setup.

I am confused. Please share your knowlege with me.

Answer 1

Have you checked SQLite ? Seems to be good candidate.

Answer 2

Well you need .NET Framework 4.0.2 (or above) + Windows Vista SP2 (or above) to use SqlLocalDb so you can not build an application with .NET 3.5 & LocalDb for windows XP.

Try using .NET 3.5 + SQL Server Compact 4.0 sp1 instead