nsis - How to make setup file from project in VS2012 C# -

recently started programming in vs2012 c#, windows forms application , finished.

i wanted make functional , looking setup wizard searched internet , stackoverflow , became clear nsis program has enough functionality job me.

in vs2012 have 3 options: debug, release , publish

• debug - works fine on computer , program works if want deploy on other machines thing need reference *.dll files, icons, files, etc. need distribute in setup file (i think).

• release - think it's same different folder.

• publish - makes following files me:

  /publish/setup.exe /publish/pcws-report.application  /publish/application files/pcws-report_1_0_0_0/fastreport.dll.deploy /publish/application files/pcws-report_1_0_0_0/fastreport.bars.dll.deploy /publish/application files/pcws-report_1_0_0_0/odbcmngr.dll.deploy /publish/application files/pcws-report_1_0_0_0/image1.jpg.deploy /publish/application files/pcws-report_1_0_0_0/pcws-report.application.deploy /publish/application files/pcws-report_1_0_0_0/pcws-report.exe.manifest /publish/application files/pcws-report_1_0_0_0/pcws-report.exe.deploy /publish/application files/pcws-report_1_0_0_0/pcws-report.application /publish/application files/pcws-report_1_0_0_0/pcws-report.exe.config.deploy  /publish/application files/pcws-report_1_0_0_0/resources/                                firebird_odbc_2.0.1.152_x64.exe.deploy 

finally questions:

1. from directory take files build setup files with?

2. and if publish directory, need rename files?

3. and need files, .manifest.deploy file or .config.deploy etc.

in previous releases of visual studio (e.g. 2010), had 2 built-in options create installer of project

• first 1 create setup or deployment projects. windows forms applications tipically means build msi installer. no more option in vs2012

• second 1 called click once deployment. still supported in vs2012. note, when select publish option in build menu in visual studio produce click once deployment files (i.e. .deploy).

nsis totally different choice because isn't microsoft technology developed nullsoft (yes, product winamp too). scriptable install system, , 1 imho.

if create nsis installer doesn't need visual studio. (of course have build solution first before create installer.) create .nsi file manually favourite text editor (which can notepad++ or vs itself), , build makensis.exe part of nsis installation.

so first question: use files in release build folder in production. should read more differences between debug , release builds. (e.g. here) in short: use debug build while develop application , use release build when want deploy app production environment.