Question

Currently, my application automatically encrypts its own App.config file the first time the application is launched.

I’m using the ConfigurationManager class as demonstrated in this article:

• Encrypting Passwords in a .NET app.config File

Now I want the App.config to already be encrypted before the application launches the first time.

Reason why is that I have added an installer to my solution and I don’t want an installer that drops an un-encrypted App.config. I want the process to be automated.

(only thing I came up with so far is attaching an .exe to the Post-Build Event, but isn’t there a more straight forward way?)

Answer 1

First Option: Using built in MSBuild Exec Task execute own utility program which is able to encrypt configuration file.

Second Option: Own MSBuild task

I believe you can write a simple MSBuild Task which will find App.Config file and then encrypt it whilst Solution build.

1. Create a new MSBuild Targets like EncryptConfig.targets
2. Update csproj file by <Import Project="EncryptConfig.targets" />
3. Add DependsOnTargets for standard AfterBuild targets in csproj:

 <Target Name="AfterBuild" DependsOnTargets="EncryptConfig.targets" />

4) Write own task and execute it in EncryptConfig.targets

How-to write own task:

• Task Writing
• An MSBuild Task to run C# code