libcef.dll move to c drive or gac

[dbdariusz]

Hello. I am thinking if there is a way to install libcef.dll to gac or move that dll somewhere else e.g. to c:\ drive. My goal is to reduce deployment size. That dll weight more than 100mb what has huge impact to release.
I tried use CefLibraryHandle and provide path but it does not work.
Got error: Cef.Initialize() failed.Check

I also tried cmd: gacutil -i libcef.dll
Failure adding assembly to the cache: The module was expected to contain an assembly manifest.

[amaitland]

Moving just libcef.dll is impractical, it relies on all the bin/pak files having a relative location.

I also tried cmd: gacutil -i libcef.dll
Failure adding assembly to the cache: The module was expected to contain an assembly manifest.

libcef.dll is an unmanaged dll and cannot be loaded into the GAC.

You can specify <CefSharpTargetDir/> in your project file, the CEF resources (dlls/bin/pak) files will then be copied into a subfolder. You can then move this folder basically anywhere you like. You then just have to load CefSharp.Core.Runtime.dll before you attempt to access any of the CefSharp dlls. You can manually load CefSharp.Core.Runtime.dll or you can use AppDomain.AssemblyResolve. AppDomain.AssemblyResolve is often used when targeting AnyCPU and there's example at https://github.com/cefsharp/CefSharp.MinimalExample/blob/cefsharp/90/CefSharp.MinimalExample.WinForms/Program.cs#L20

---

Manually edit your project file e.g:

1. Edit CefSharp.MinimalExample.WinForms.csproj and add following code to the first <PropertyGroup/> or add your own <PropertyGroup/> before the .targets files in your project.

    <CefSharpTargetDir>cefsharp</CefSharpTargetDir>

[amaitland]

I moved these dlls manually but still the same exception.

If you move these files you will have to update your Assembly Resolve. They are direct references to your project and not copied to the CefSharpTargetDir folder. This is expected.

I'd suggest getting it working as a subfolder before attempting to move the folder outside the directory tree, this is the tested scenario.

[amaitland]

Using https://github.com/cefsharp/CefSharp.MinimalExample as a base

• Add <CefSharpTargetDir>runtime</CefSharpTargetDir> to first property group of CefSharp.MinimalExample.WinForms.csproj file
• Modify Program.cs (code example below)
• Manually copy the contents of the runtime folder to C:\projects\temp\cefsharp.runtime.

AppDomain.CurrentDomain.AssemblyResolve += Resolver;

private static System.Reflection.Assembly Resolver(object sender, ResolveEventArgs args)
{
	if (args.Name.StartsWith("CefSharp.Core.Runtime"))
	{
		string assemblyName = args.Name.Split(new[] { ',' }, 2)[0] + ".dll";
		string path = Path.Combine(@"C:\projects\temp\cefsharp.runtime", assemblyName);

		return File.Exists(path)
				   ? System.Reflection.Assembly.LoadFile(path)
				   : null;
	}

	return null;
}

Application runs as expected.

[dbdariusz]

Weird. I run example app and it works. Let you know once figure out what cause it. So far I know example is in c#, my in in vb. Thanks for the help.

[dbdariusz]

I figured out. Reason of that was a security check for ClickOnce. Cannot be enable.

[amaitland]

Supporting and developing CefSharp takes a great deal of time and effort, if you are using CefSharp in a commercial application please consider funding my efforts. Even $5 a month makes a difference (Paying for twelve months in advance if you wish to make a single payment).

https://github.com/sponsors/amaitland/