Version 21.8.2 Creating 2x MSI File Sizes

[twdotson]

I started noticing that the sizes of many (not all) of our MSI files had grown by roughly a factor of 2x even though our AIP files have not changed and our code files only grew by less than 1% (10k etc). When I reverted back to 21.7.1 all MSI files returned to their expected (roughly previous) sizes.

Our install consists of a handful of .NET DLL files and some supporting files. The environment we install into will ALWAYS have the framework already installed so we never need to include it.

[twdotson]

Our install consists of a handful of .NET DLL files and some supporting files.

The only reason I can see from our results (across multiple projects) is that the MSI files that DID NOT grow 2x were those that contained at least one .NET CORE 8.0 DLL. The MSI files that contained ONLY 4.x Framework DLLs are the ones that grew by 2x.

[mraz2]

What potential changes or additions were made in the latest Visual Studio extension update that caused the significant increase in the size of the MSI files, particularly for those containing only .NET Framework 4.x DLLs, as opposed to those including .NET Core 8.0 DLLs?

[Catalin]

Hello to you both,

If possible, could you guys please give me some more details about this scenario?

What I'm looking for is a step by step test case that will help me reproduce the same issue on my end, as it's not currently quite clear for me how to reproduce this behavior.

Best regards,
Catalin

[divulgeloser]

I started noticing that the sizes of many (not all) of our MSI files had grown by roughly a factor of 2x even though our AIP files have not changed and our code files only grew by less than 1% (10k etc). When I reverted back to 21.7.1 all MSI files returned to their expected (roughly previous) sizes.planet clicker

Our install consists of a handful of .NET DLL files and some supporting files. The environment we install into will ALWAYS have the framework already installed so we never need to include it.

Could the doubling of MSI file sizes be related to how the tool in version 21.7.1 handles .NET Framework 4.x DLLs differently compared to .NET Core 8.0 DLLs? Is there any indication that additional dependencies are being included?

[Catalin]

Hello and welcome to our forums,

Could you please elaborate a bit on this?

Could the doubling of MSI file sizes be related to how the tool in version 21.7.1 handles .NET Framework 4.x DLLs differently compared to .NET Core 8.0 DLLs? Is there any indication that additional dependencies are being included?

What do you mean by "handling differently"?

Additionally, do you have a test-case that I can follow in order to reproduce this, as I wasn't quite able to do so?

Best regards,
Catalin