How to: Add and Remove Custom Actions in the Custom Actions Editor
The Custom Actions Editor is used to specify custom actions to be run during installation on a target computer. You can add custom actions that are contained in the outputs of a project in your solution, including .dll files, .exe files, or Microsoft .NET Framework installation components, or you can add compiled custom actions as files or components.
You can also control the order of execution for custom actions.
Note
The dialog boxes and menu commands you see might differ from those described in Help depending on your active settings or edition. To change your settings, choose Import and Export Settings on the Tools menu. For more information, see Visual Studio Settings.
To add a custom action
Select a folder in the Custom Actions Editor.
On the Action menu, choose Add Custom Action.
In the Select item in Project dialog box, select a folder and select the .dll file, .exe file, or project output that contains the custom action.
If the item hasn't previously been added to the deployment project, click the Add File, Add Output, or Add Assembly button to add the item as a custom action. This also adds the item to your project.
Warning
If you use the Add File, Add Output, or Add Assembly button to add an item to the Select item in project dialog box and subsequently cancel the dialog box, the items are still added to the deployment project. If you don't want the items in the deployment project, you can remove them through Solution Explorer.
Tip
To add a custom action to all four folders, select the Custom Actions node in the editor, and choose Add Custom Action.
To change the order of execution
Select a custom action in the Custom Actions Editor.
On the Action menu, click Move Up or Move Down.
Note
You can reorder custom actions by dragging with the mouse or by using the Cut and Paste commands on the Edit menu.
To remove a custom action
- Select the custom action in the Custom Actions Editor, and choose Delete from the Edit menu.
See Also
Tasks
How to: Add Predefined Custom Actions in the Custom Actions Editor
Walkthrough: Creating a Custom Action
How to: Create Installation Components - High-Level Process
Reference
Properties for the Custom Actions Editor