How do I register a .NET DLL file in the GAC?

user_201925 0
Viewed 317117

I have made a .NET .DLL file, which I want to register in the GAC.

I have used this command in Windows Server 2003 Command Prompt:

C:\"Path of dll"\>gacutil /i dllname.dll
'gacutil' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

It says the path is not correct.

Do I need to use this in a .NET cmd prompt? If it is that, I am not able to locate the .NET cmd prompt.

dllregistration gac c#
13 Answers

You can do that using the gacutil tool. In its simplest form:

gacutil /i yourdll.dll

You find the Visual Studio Command Prompt in the start menu under Programs -> Visual Studio -> Visual Studio Tools.

user_936230

You'll need:

  • Strong name your assembly (Visual Studio, Project Properties, Signing tab, Sign the assembly)
  • Alter your Build Events (Project Properties, Build Events tab, Post-build command line)
   cd C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\SDK\v2.0\Bin
   gacutil.exe /i "$(TargetPath)" /f /nologo
   gacutil /l "$(TargetName)" /nologo

Now, everytime you build your project, it'll be installed on GAC.

user_1137940

Just drag and drop the DLL file into folder C:\Windows\assembly using Windows Explorer.

Caveat:

In earlier versions of the .NET Framework, the Shfusion.dll Windows shell extension let you install assemblies by dragging them to File Explorer. Beginning with .NET Framework 4, Shfusion.dll is obsolete.

Source: How to: Install an assembly into the global assembly cache

user_2094070

From Wikipedia:

gacutil.exe is the .NET utility used to work with the GAC.

One can check the availability of a shared assembly in GAC by using the command:

gacutil.exe /l "assemblyName"

One can register a shared assembly in the GAC by using the command:

gacutil.exe /i "assemblyName"

Or by dropping an assembly file into the following location using the GUI:

%windir%\assembly\

Other options for this utility will be briefly described if you use the /? flag, that is:

gacutil.exe /?
user_1240340

Try GACView if you have a fear of command prompts.

You have not set the PATH properly in DOS.You need to point the path to where the gacutil resides to use it in DOS.

user_392780

As ando said, just drag and drop the assembly to the C:\windows\assembly folder. It works.

user_2641380

I tried just about everything in the comments and it didn't work. So I did gacutil /i "path to my dll" from Powershell and it worked.

Also remember the trick of pressing Shift when you right-click on a file in Windows Explorer to get the option of Copy path.

user_45722400

Also available using .NET Framework Assemblies in PowerShell.

[System.Reflection.Assembly]::Load("System.EnterpriseServices, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a")
$publish = New-Object System.EnterpriseServices.Internal.Publish     
$publish.GacInstall("C:\path_to_dll_file\file.dll")

Was searching some solution lately, tested this one before I found relevant info here.

user_62896610
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