Bootstrapper packages are the basic components you might need to get a .NET program installed. You’ll find them listed in the BootsTrapper\Packages subdirectory of the Windows SDK folder (c:\program files\microsoft sdks\windows\v6.0 for VS2008). The ones on my machine are:
- DotNetFx(Xxx) – installs .NET on the target machine
- Office2007PIARedist – the Office PIA, required when you automate Office programs
- ReportViewer – required when you use report viewer
- Sql Server Compact Edition – required when you use SQL Server Compact
- SqlExpress – required when you use SQL Express
- VBPowerPacks – required when you use any VB Power Pack component (PrintForm, Shape etc)
- vcredist(Xxx) – required when you used any C/C++ code that uses /MD
- VSTOR30 – required when you used VSTO
- WindowsInstaller3_1 – installs MSI 3.1 (don’t ask)
Making sure that .NET is installed isn’t really necessary anymore today. The rest of them might however be required, even if this is a CO install. I think a Setup project can autodetect them reliably.