Building a Merge Module (.msm File)

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With Microsoft® Visual Studio® Installer, you can build merge modules (.msm files) to share with other application installers. Two methods are available:

  • You can establish the project as a merge module when you create the installer project. For more information, see Creating and Opening Installer Projects.

    –or–

  • You can set the appropriate project property within an existing installer project. This procedure is much like building an installer package (.msi) file. For more information, see To build an installer project into a merge module.

To build an installer project into a merge module

  1. Make sure the Build type project property (on the Build Tab of the Project Properties dialog box) is set to Merge Module.

  2. In the Project Explorer, select the installer project.

  3. On the Build menu, click the option to Build your project.

    Note   The Build menu may include options for building either your project or the entire solution. If your project is part of a larger solution, you can select the Build Solution option to build the entire solution, including your installer project.

    Visual Studio Installer builds your project and displays the message "Solution update succeeded" in the lower left corner of the development window when the build is complete.