Remove .NET dependency from .MSI file

Introduction

I created an application that needs to be deployed to many different machines running many versions of Windows. My app is pretty basic and does not require the .NET Framework. I created a setup project in Visual Studio .NET 2003 and tested it on a new install of Windows 98. The installer popped up a message notifying to me that I HAD to install the .NET Framework before continuing with the installation. I looked for an option to turn off that install condition, but could find none.

I did some research and learned about ORCA, the .MSI editor. I downloaded ORCA, which is part of Microsoft's Windows Installer SDK, and went to work trying to remove the .NET dependency.

After a few minutes of experimentation, I found the solution. I went to Edit->Find and searched for all instances of the string VSDCA_VsdLaunchConditions. I deleted every row that contained that string and saved the .MSI file. Lo and behold! The installer no longer asked for the .NET Framework.

Hope this helps someone out there that's as frustrated as I was.

History

• 8^th February, 2005: Initial post