Binaryworld - Debugging custom action in Visual Studio.net Setup project ... [ VB.net -> Setup and Deployment ]

I had spent quite bit of time searching around and finally got something which gives you ability to debug custom action in visual studio setup project. Here is few steps to debug custom action code.

Generally you write a seperate DLL which includes custom action code. To learn more about how to write custom action class pease check the folloing URL.

http://www.devx.com/dotnet/Article/20849/0/page/1

Debug custom action (Step-By-Step)

When debugging a call to the Custom Action methods, ensure the MessageBox line is activated in your code. When the Windows Install/Uninstall runs and displays this MessageBox at runtime, do the following:

a) Alt-Tab to Visual Studio .NET 2003
b) Click on the the Debug menu item
c) Click on Processes...
d) Locate msiexec.exe with Type .NET and click on it to highlight it
e) Click on the Attach button (Review the following figure)

Figure 1.0

f) Ensure Common Language Runtime is ticked then click on OK
g) Check that that msiexec.exe now appears in the list of Debugged Processes
h) Click on the Close button
i) Press F9 to set a breakpoint on a line in your method
j) Alt-tab back to the MessageBox then click on the OK button to begin the Debugger It will then stop at your breakpoint ready to step through.