Simple Windows form app and .NET framework requirements in XP

Question

I have written a very simple Windows form application (my first) in C# using Visual Studio. The application simply shows a dialog with information about the local machine (Local IPs, user name, PC name, domain, among others) and that's it. It finishes when the users clicks the 'OK' button.

I'd like to deploy the application as an executable that runs directly on double click. I have extracted the executable generated by Visual Studio in the project folder and I've succesfully run it in a number of different computers. However, on some computers with XP I get an error message saying that it is not a valid WIN32 application.

I'm pressuming the problem is the .NET framework not being present or an older version than the targeted version is installed.

My question is, is it possible to ensure that the application runs on (at least) Windows XP but still have it as a simple executable that runs on double click?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

You could try one of the following approaches:

• Use an installer (eg Inno Setup ) to deploy your application and install the .NET framework if required ( Sample for .NET 4.5 and Inno Setup )
• Just check if the required .NET framework version is installed during the setup and notify the user if it isn't ( Sample with Inno Setup )
• Compile with .NET Native (I didn't use it yet, therefore I don't know much about it, but maybe this Intro may help you)
• Use C++ and WMI instead

EDIT1: .NET Native requires Windows 10, crossed it out from above

EDIT2: Added C++ with WMI as an alternative approach