Shortcut to program within folder (for distribution)

Hey all,

Here's my situation. I'm developing a program using VB.NET and I would like to distribute the program to another computer using the release build. The release executable in found within a folder with a bunch of other junk. When I distribute the program I would ideally like to have a shortcut to the executable separate from all the core files. Here's an attempt to illustrate what I'm talking about.

Desktop (working directory for instance)
-> ProgramFolderName (the folder I will distribute)
->-> Shortcut to executable (the goal)
->-> ApplicationComponents (folder with core components)
->->-> program.exe (executable that makes it all happen)
->->-> Other stuff (stuff required for program to operate: dll's, etc etc)

The trick is to specify a shortcut that is flexible on any computer. I've tried creating a shortcut then setting the target to "\ApplicationComponents\program.exe" but no luck. Is this possible? Any ideas?

Thanks

 

Bump. Anyone?

 

The best way to accomplish this is to create an installation wizard. The ideal situation is to get something like this program.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, didn't even occur to me. I ended up trying installshield, which seems to be the prime choice in the area, but is really quite costly. Then found Excelsior, which is both free and efficient. Anyways problem solved! +rep