The steps to get a Visual Studio installer package to automatically update an existing application are:

  • For the deployment project set the following properties (get the properties by clicking on the project and switching to the properties window NOT by right click->properties),
  • Set RemovePreviousVersion to true,
  • Update the Version number for each installer build. Note when the Version is updated the ProductCode should automatically be updated by VS.Net (always click yes when it asks) but the UpgradeCode should remain the same,
  • In the project(s) being deployed in the installer the AssemblyVersion AND AssemblyFileVersion need to be updated. If the AssemblyFileVersion is not updated than the installer will assume that the file has not changed and will not overwrite the file from a previous installation.
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