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c#.netdllwix.net-assembly

WIX changing assembly name on install

I built a simple WIX installer that deploys an exe and a third-party dll, and creates shortcuts. The installer appears to work fine, and places both the exe and dll in a folder in C:\Program Files(x86), but when I try to run the application I get an error:

System.IO.FileLoadException: Could not load file or assembly 'GACManagerApi, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null' or one of its dependencies. The located assembly's manifest definition does not match the assembly reference. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131040) File name: 'GACManagerApi, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null'

The application runs just fine from the IDE, and even from the executable in the IDE bin directory, but after deploying with WIX cannot load the assembly. On a hunch, I copied the dll from the bin directory to the deployed location, and it started working. Looking closer, it appears that WIX is doing something to the third-party metadata when it deploys that changes the signature enough that the exe can no longer load it. Here is the definition of the assembly in the wxs:

<Component Id="GACManagerApi">
<File Id="GACManagerApiDLL" Name="GACManagerApi.dll" Source="$(var.GHCComponentManager.TargetPath)" />
</Component>

I also noticed that the details on the dll properties are different, with the File description, product name and original filename being changed to that of my executable, instead of the original values for the assembly.

Am I missing something in my wsx that is causing this to happen?

Solution

  • I figured it out. The problem was how I was defining the Source attribute. The hint really should have been in the file property details, but I was too consumed with my assumptions to see it. I was reading some other documents talking about pulling assemblies from outside the project when I noticed it.

    I was defining the source as:

    Source="$(var.GHCComponentManager.TargetPath)"

    which translates literally to the full path of my release executable. With the Name attribute of the File element, it was effectively moving my executable to the release location and renaming it GACManagerApi.dll. The correct source should be:

    Source="$(var.GHCComponentManager.TargetDir)\GACManagerApi.dll"