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wixwindows-installervsx

How to ensure devenv.exe is not running when my msi is installed

I am writing a VSPackage for Visual Studio 2008, and am deploying it with a WiX generated Msi. As the end of the install, I am running "devenv.exe /setup" as required to get VS to notice my package. However, this command will not succeed if there are any copies of Visual Studio running.

Currently, I tell people they have to close all copies of Visual Studio before installing, but I would prefer it be foolproof. How can I check when someone runs my .msi if any copies of Visual Studio (devenv.exe) are running, and block them from installing my project?

Solution

  • The WiX toolset has a CloseApps CustomAction that will close windows for you. It unfortuantely does not prompt with a list to close all the applications but the code would be a reasonable place to start.