Load assembly from a path without copying it to bin folder

Question

I have a simple c# application and I would like to reference an assembly from C:\\..\\..myassembly.dll without copying the thing to bin folder.

I there a way to change how is assembly being referenced/loaded?

Edit: the assembly is not in gac

Answer 1

Actually it is possible during runtime by using <codeBase> tag in your configuration:

<configuration>
<runtime>
   <assemblyBinding xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">
      <dependentAssembly>
         <assemblyIdentity name="MyAssembly2"  culture="neutral" publicKeyToken="307041694a995978"/>
         <codeBase version="1.0.1524.23149" href="FILE://C:/Myassemblies/MyAssembly2.dll"/>
      </dependentAssembly>
   </assemblyBinding>
</runtime>
</configuration>

You can refer to the MSDN to get more specific info. The downside of this solution is that you have to manually specify assembly version.

Answer 2

Multiple solutions to your problem.

To avoid copying library to output folder set Copy Local to false by selecting .dll property.

Option 1:

Include below section in your configuration file and let allow runtime to load from location you specified.

  <runtime>
    <assemblyBinding xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">
      <dependentAssembly>
        <assemblyIdentity name="MyAssembly" publicKeyToken="2d65620afb84f19d" />
        <codeBase version="1.0.0.0" href="C:\..\..myassembly.dll" />
      </dependentAssembly>
    </assemblyBinding>
  </runtime>

Option 2:

Well known option, use reflection to load your assembly.

Assembly.Load(@"C:\..\..myassembly.dll")

Hope this helps !