Embed DLL as Resource

Sometimes you want to create a portable application. A single executable that doesn't require additional library files. This article will briefly explain how to embed a DLL file as a resource so that you can have a self contained application.

Down and Dirty

1. Go to the project properties and go to the "References" tab. 2. Click "Add..." -> "Browse" and select the DLL file you would like to use (Make note of the Reference Name). 3. While still under project properties go to the "Resources" tab. 4. Under resources select "Add Resource" -> "Add Existing File..." and select the DLL you just added add in the previous step (Make note of the Resource Name). 5. While still under project properties go to the "Application" tab and click "View Application Events" 6. Add the following import:

 Imports System.Reflection

6a. Paste the following code into the MyApplication Class:

	Private Sub AppStart(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As Microsoft.VisualBasic.ApplicationServices.StartupEventArgs) Handles Me.Startup
		AddHandler AppDomain.CurrentDomain.AssemblyResolve, AddressOf ResolveAssemblies
	End Sub

	Private Function ResolveAssemblies(sender As Object, e As System.ResolveEventArgs) As Reflection.Assembly
		Dim desiredAssembly = New Reflection.AssemblyName(e.Name)

		If desiredAssembly.Name = "DLL_REFERENCE_NAME" Then				'replace DLL_REFERENCE_NAME with reference name
			Return Reflection.Assembly.Load(My.Resources.DLL_RESOURCE_NAME)		'replace DLL_RESOURCE_NAME with your assembly's resource name
		Else
			Return Nothing
		End If
	End Function

6b. Make sure to replace the following with the correct names. DLL_REFERENCE_NAME = Reference Name from step 2 DLL_RESOURCE_NAME = Resource Name from step 4