web to client exe communication and management
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I'm putting together a system that includes a client-side .exe that needs to be maintained automatically. I have a two-fold problems to this: 1) I need to be able to run the client side .exe. Is the only way to do this through an active x control or is there another way? I'm exploring options as I've never created an active x control. 2) Automatically updating the exe. I understand there is an MS tech called BITS that will acheive this, but it is limited to Win XP. I need to come up with an automated update systems that checks versions and if needed, notifies the user and automatically updates whatever is needed (files, the exe itself, configuration stuff, etc). What do you suggest I use to acheive this? Is there a way to easily incorporate something like ghost installer or am I going to have to write a custom module that performs this for me and embed it in the client exe? Any suggestions and insight are greatly appreciated as I am not well versed in what's available for web development. Thanks!