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Build, Deployment, and Configuration Tools (.NET Framework)

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The tools provided in this section make it easier for you to build and deploy your .NET Framework applications. You can use these tools to generate portable executable (PE) and Microsoft intermediate language (MSIL) files, view and manipulate the global assembly cache, manage application and deployment manifests, and handle isolated stores and resource files.

The tools described in this section are automatically installed with Visual Studio and with the Windows SDK. You can run all the tools from the command line with the exception of the Assembly Cache Viewer (Shfusion.dll). The best way to run the command-line tools is by using the Visual Studio or Windows SDK Command Prompt. You must access Shfusion.dll from Windows Explorer.

In This Section

  • Al.exe (Assembly Linker)
    Generates a file that has an assembly manifest from modules or resource files.

  • CorFlags.exe (CorFlags Conversion Tool)
    Lets you configure the CorFlags section of the header of a portable executable (PE) image.

  • Gacutil.exe (Global Assembly Cache Tool)
    Lets you view and manipulate the contents of the global assembly cache and download cache.

  • Ilasm.exe (MSIL Assembler)
    Generates a portable executable (PE) file from Microsoft intermediate language (MSIL). You can run the resulting executable to determine whether the MSIL performs as expected.

  • Ildasm.exe (MSIL Disassembler)
    Takes a portable executable (PE) file that contains Microsoft intermediate language (MSIL) code and creates a text file that can be input to the MSIL Assembler (Ilasm.exe).

  • Installutil.exe (Installer Tool)
    Enables you to install and uninstall server resources by executing the installer components in a specified assembly. (Works with classes in the System.Configuration.Install namespace.)

  • Lc.exe (License Compiler)
    Reads text files that contain licensing information and produces a .licenses file that can be embedded in a common language runtime executable as a resource.

  • Mage.exe (Manifest Generation and Editing Tool)
    Lets you create, edit, and sign application and deployment manifests. As a command-line tool, Mage.exe can be run from both batch scripts and other Windows-based applications, including ASP.NET applications.

  • MageUI.exe (Manifest Generation and Editing Tool, Graphical Client)
    Supports the same functionality as the command-line tool Mage.exe, but uses a Windows-based user interface (UI).

  • Ngen.exe (Native Image Generator)
    Improves the performance of managed applications through the use of native images (files containing compiled processor-specific machine code). The runtime can use native images from the cache instead of using the just-in-time (JIT) compiler to compile the original assembly.

  • Resgen.exe (Resource File Generator)
    Converts text (.txt or .restext) files and XML-based resource format (.resx) files to common language runtime binary (.resources) files that can be embedded in a runtime binary executable or compiled into satellite assemblies.

  • Shfusion.dll (Assembly Cache Viewer)
    Enables you to view and manipulate the contents of the global assembly cache by using Windows Explorer.

  • Storeadm.exe (Isolated Storage Tool)
    Manages isolated storage; provides options for listing the user's stores and deleting them.

  • Winres.exe (Windows Forms Resource Editor)
    Helps you localize user interface (UI) resources (.resx or .resources files) that are used by Windows Forms. You can translate strings, and then size, move, and hide controls to accommodate the localized strings.