How to create visual studio setup project with Sign Certificate for Excel Add In Project

Question

I have prepared one setup project for my C# excel add in project. Installing that setup in client PC my add in is installing as unknown publisher.

To resolve this I am adding certificate manually in client PC, but my goal is install my add in as trusted known publisher without adding certificate manually.

Is there any solution to do this?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

If you are using an official certificate from a certificate authority you can sign the setup file (ie msi or .exe) using signtool.exe adding a post-build line to your setup project's properties.

signtool sign /f MyCert.pfx /tr http://timestamp.comodoca.com/rfc3161 /v "C:\...\...\MySetupProject.msi

Signtool is automatically installed with visual studio.

In addition to this and prior to building your setup project, you want to sign the add-in's .dll file (also with signtool) and the manifest (with mage).