Merge DLL into EXE?

I have two DLL files which I'd like to include in my EXE file to make it easier to distribute it. I've read a bit here and there how to do this, even found a good thread here, and here, but it's far too complicated for me and I need real basic instructions on how to do this.

I'm using Microsoft Visual C# Express 2010, and please excuse my "low standard" question, but I feel like I'm one or two level below everyone else's expercise :-/ If someone could point out how to merge these DDL files into my EXE in a step-by-step guide, this would be really awesome!


For .NET Framework 4.5

ILMerge.exe /target:winexe /targetplatform:"v4,C:\Program Files\Reference Assemblies\Microsoft\Framework\.NETFramework\v4.0" /out:finish.exe insert1.exe insert2.dll

ILMerge

  1. Open CMD and cd to your directory. Let's say: cd C:\test
  2. Insert the above code.
  3. /out:finish.exe replace finish.exe with any filename you want.
  4. Behind the /out:finish.exe you have to give the files you want to be combined.

Use Costura.Fody.

You just have to install the nuget and then do a build. The final executable will be standalone.


Download ilmerge and ilmergre gui . makes joining the files so easy ive used these and works great


Reference the DLL´s to your Resources and and use the AssemblyResolve-Event to return the Resource-DLL.

public partial class App : Application
{
    public App()
    {
        AppDomain.CurrentDomain.AssemblyResolve += (sender, args) =>
        {

            Assembly thisAssembly = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();

            //Get the Name of the AssemblyFile
            var name = args.Name.Substring(0, args.Name.IndexOf(',')) + ".dll";

            //Load form Embedded Resources - This Function is not called if the Assembly is in the Application Folder
            var resources = thisAssembly.GetManifestResourceNames().Where(s => s.EndsWith(name));
            if (resources.Count() > 0)
            {
                var resourceName = resources.First();
                using (Stream stream = thisAssembly.GetManifestResourceStream(resourceName))
                {
                    if (stream == null) return null;
                    var block = new byte[stream.Length];
                    stream.Read(block, 0, block.Length);
                    return Assembly.Load(block);
                }
            }
            return null;
        };
    }
}