Download Chilkat .NET for 1.0 / 1.1 Framework

This is a simple example demonstrating how to create a self-extracting EXE in VB.NET. The result is an EXE that can be run without the .NET runtime or any system DLLs (it is completely standalone).

There are four subroutines in the source code below:

1) Create a simple self-extracting EXE
2) Create a 128-bit AES encrypted self-extracting EXE
3) Create a self-extracting EXE that auto-unzips to a temp directory and runs a Setup.exe
4) Create an encrypted + auto-unzip EXE.

    ' Create a simple self-extracting EXE.  When the resultant EXE is run, it displays
    ' a dialog allowing the end-user to select a directory for unzipping.
    Private Sub CreateExe1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles CreateExe1.Click
        Dim zip As Chilkat.Zip
        zip = New Chilkat.Zip()
        zip.UnlockComponent("unlockCode")
        If (Not zip.OpenZip("sample.zip")) Then
            Label1.Text = "Failed to open Zip"
        Else
            If (Not zip.WriteExe("sample1.exe")) Then
                Label1.Text = zip.LastErrorText
            Else
                Label1.Text = "Created EXE!"
            End If
        End If

    End Sub

    ' Create an encrypted self-extracting EXE.  When the resultant EXE is run, it displays
    ' a dialog allowing the end-user to select a directory for unzipping, but it
    ' first prompts for a password which must match the password used when creating
    ' the EXE (in this example, the password is 'flubber').
    Private Sub CreateExe2_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles CreateExe2.Click
        Dim zip As Chilkat.Zip
        zip = New Chilkat.Zip()
        zip.UnlockComponent("unlockCode")

        If (Not zip.OpenZip("sample.zip")) Then
            Label1.Text = "Failed to open Zip"
        Else
            ' OpenZip sets the properties to the characteristics of the Zip
            ' opened, so make sure to set these properties after opening
            ' the Zip.
            zip.Encryption = 128
            zip.SetPassword("flubber")
            If (Not zip.WriteExe("sample2.exe")) Then
                Label1.Text = zip.LastErrorText
            Else
                Label1.Text = "Created EXE!"
            End If
        End If

    End Sub

    ' Creates a self-extracting EXE that when run, automatically unzips into an
    ' auto-selected temp directory and runs the Setup.exe contained within the
    ' EXE.  
    Private Sub CreateExe3_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles CreateExe3.Click
        Dim zip As Chilkat.Zip
        zip = New Chilkat.Zip()
        zip.UnlockComponent("unlockCode")

        If (Not zip.OpenZip("sample.zip")) Then
            Label1.Text = "Failed to open Zip"
        Else
            ' OpenZip sets the properties to the characteristics of the Zip
            ' opened, so make sure to set these properties after opening
            ' the Zip.
            zip.AutoRun = "Sample/Setup.exe"
            zip.AutoTemp = True

            If (Not zip.WriteExe("sample3.exe")) Then
                Label1.Text = zip.LastErrorText
            Else
                Label1.Text = "Created EXE!"
            End If
        End If

    End Sub

    ' Creates an encrypted self-extracting EXE that when run, prompts for a password 
    ' and then if the password is valid, automatically unzips into an
    ' auto-selected temp directory and runs the Setup.exe contained within the
    ' EXE.  
    Private Sub CreateExe4_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles CreateExe4.Click
        Dim zip As Chilkat.Zip
        zip = New Chilkat.Zip()
        zip.UnlockComponent("unlockCode")

        If (Not zip.OpenZip("sample.zip")) Then
            Label1.Text = "Failed to open Zip"
        Else
            ' OpenZip sets the properties to the characteristics of the Zip
            ' opened, so make sure to set these properties after opening
            ' the Zip.
            zip.AutoRun = "Sample/Setup.exe"
            zip.AutoTemp = True
            zip.Encryption = 128
            zip.SetPassword("flubber")

            If (Not zip.WriteExe("sample4.exe")) Then
                Label1.Text = zip.LastErrorText
            Else
                Label1.Text = "Created EXE!"
            End If
        End If

    End Sub

Important: The download for this example does not contain the ChilkatDotNet.dll which
must be downloaded and installed separately at http://www.chilkatsoft.com/downloads.asp.
Once installed, add a reference to the DLL in the project by following the instructions at
http://www.example-code.com/vbdotnet/step2.asp