ClickOnce Technology

**Thomas** · 12-20-2007, 11:15 AM

Has anyone had experience with using ClickOnce technology to distribute a commercial application with licensing?

I need to be able to distribute each application with a license that would need to be renewed yearly to continue to receive software updates. Moreover, I would like to use the ClickOnce feature which checks for updates before starting the application in conjuction with the licensing.

Am I asking too much from this technology?

Thanks,

Thomas

**Crane** · 12-20-2007, 05:45 PM

I have never used one click but i have used msi and wise. I always do my own license algorithm though since nether of these do it for me.

**oppo** · 12-21-2007, 05:14 AM

I use the default VS installer. I'm confused because you say check the license before it launches yet you are speaking of an installer? Will the user need to install the application every time they launch it?

**Thomas** · 12-21-2007, 05:48 AM

Hi oppo,

A ClickOnce deployed application can be configured to check for updates upon the application starting up or shutting down; contingent upon the user having internet access (otherwise no check is performed). I would like to utilize this feature instead of the alternative methods of either A or B.

(A) being an application that deploys using MSI (or another installer) and gets updated by the user downloading or receiving an additional MSI file meant to update the existing app.

(B) being an application that deploys using MSI (or another installer) and write up an algorithm to check for and install updates automatically (I’m reluctant in pursing this right now).

The licensing would need to deny the automatic ClickOnce update unless the user has a valid and current license (purchased/renewed yearly).

If licensing is not possible in conjunction with the ClickOnce technology then I will seek out distribution via one of the two above options.

Thanks,

Thomas