Deploying a VB.net 2010 Win Forms application

Question

I am deploying a VB.net 2010 winforms application, and when I install it on the client's machine, the install process also installs an instance of SQL Server 2005 Express. The application connects to a central SQL database on the server. To install, I am using the "Publish" option in VS 2010

Why does it do that? There should be no need for a local instance of SQL Express. Is there a way to avoid installing SQL 2005 Express (I know it is free, but I would rather not have it installed if possible)

Answer 1

It's likely that whatever technology you're using for packaging/deployment is including the installer for SQL. For the default setup project, I believe it is a checkbox for a pre-requisite.