How to create a hotfix for Windows applications

Question

How to create an update patch that updates the application without reinstalling the application in a newer version?

Also, how can I combine other software such as SQL express and the printer driver with the application installation file?

I used Visual Studio 2010 to develop my application.

Answer 1

Here is a useful link for you:

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/125721/Installer-and-Patching-Program-using-Visual-Studio

You can combine other software such as SQL Express and the printer driver with the application by adding custom actions to the installation project.

Answer 2

What you can fix depends on how you split it up first. Have you designed it to fix it? If not the best case, it may be to bite a bullet and reinstall a newer version.