-Larry

You can go about this a number of ways.  But in essence, we have the clients verify their version each time the application is launched.  A query is made to the server to get the latest version, if the servers version does not match the clients, then it begins an automated download from the server.  Once downloaded, the client automatically launches the installation, which is automated, and once the install is complete, it re-launches the client.  Doing it this way will ensure that the security permissions are kept in tact.  If you need to run the install as a different user, you can do that as well by launching the install process with more advanced permissions (i.e. Administrator).  In any case, this allows you to create a more reliable and sophisticated installation than ClickOnce will allow while still making it easy to distribute to the clients.  Does that answer your question or are you looking for more of the details?

Thanks for the summary. The one area I'd like a little more information on is the automated download process. I'm assuming that your install processis using the standard windows installer with the installation package put together using InstallAware.

-Larry

On your server, you will also need to have the install stored in a database...or stored in a network folder location where all of the workstations can access it.  In most cases, the database is the better and more secure route.

Example Structures

VersionTable

ver_pk - Integer (Primary Key)
ver_CurrentVersion - VarChar (Holds the current version that the client will test against)
ver_Posted - DateTime (Time stamp that indicates when the version was changed....this would be for display purposes only)

DownloadsTable

dl_pk - Integer (Primary Key)
dl_CurrentVersion - VarChar (Allows you to query by the version for the download)
dl_Install - VarBinary(MAX) (The installation in Byte() format)

Application Startup

When the application on the client side starts, check the version to see if there is an update.

Dim lcMyVersion As String = Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Version.ToString()
Dim loVersions As New VersionsTableBO()

If Not lcMyVersion.Equals(loVersion.GetCurrentVersion()) Then
    '-- Get the installation from the server
    Dim loDownloads As New DownloadsTable()

    '-- Retrieve the install
    loDownloads.FillWithCurrentInstall(loVersion.GetCurrentVersion())

    '-- Save the install to a temp folder
    Dim lcTempLocation As String = System.IO.Path.GetTemporaryFile()

    '-- Change the extension
    lcTempLocation = System.IO.Path.ChangeExtension(lcTempLocation,".exe")

    '-- Save the bytes to disk
    System.IO.File.WriteAllBytes(lcTempLocation,loDownloads.dl_Install,True)

    '-- Launch the install
    System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(lcTempLocation)

    '-- Terminate the client assembly
    End
End If

Note: I just typed this code out here so there could be some minor things to work through, but it should give you the general idea.  If I went in the wrong direction with your question, please let me know and I will try to give you some more details.

Thanks for filling in the details. I think I can take it from here, however I like Ben's suggestion. I'd be the second one to buy it.

-Larry