Clickonce user settings not carrying over

Hello @Cody Eidsness ,

Thanks for your question.

Since the UI option is missing in VB.NET, we do it manually by editing the project file directly.

1. Generate a strong name key file by opening Developer Command Prompt for Visual Studio and run:

sn.exe -k MyAppKey.snk

This creates a file called MyAppKey.snk. Then copy this .snk file into your project folder.

2. Edit .vbproj

• In Visual Studio, right-click your project in Solution Explorer
• Click Unload Project
• Right-click again → Click Edit .vbproj
• Find the first <PropertyGroup> section and add these two lines inside it:

<PropertyGroup>
  <SignAssembly>true</SignAssembly>
  <AssemblyOriginatorKeyFile>MyAppKey.snk</AssemblyOriginatorKeyFile>

</PropertyGroup>

• Save the file
• Right-click project -> click Reload Project.

3. Include the .snk file in your project.

• In Solution Explorer, click Show All Files button
• Find MyAppKey.snk
• Right-click it → Include in Project

Even with signing, .NET needs you to tell it to migrate old settings.

4. Adding NeedToUpgrade setting by:

• Go to Project -> Properties -> Settings
• Add a new setting:
  • Name: NeedToUpgrade
  • Type: Boolean
  • Scope: User
  • Value: True

5. Call Upgrade() on first run after update by opening your ApplicationEvents.vb or Form1.vb and adding this code:

If My.Settings.NeedToUpgrade Then
    My.Settings.Upgrade()
    My.Settings.NeedToUpgrade = False
    My.Settings.Save()
End If

6. Please republish with ClickOnce

For more information, you can refer to these documents:

• Sn.exe (Strong Name Tool)
• How to: Sign an assembly with a strong name
• ApplicationSettingsBase.Upgrade Method

I hope this addresses your question. If this response was helpful, please consider following the guidance to provide feedback.