A Simple Guide to Ignoring Files in Web Deploy

Web Deploy is a handy tool for developers to deploy web applications from their local environment to a server. Sometimes, you need to exclude certain files or directories from being deployed. This guide will show you how to do that in a simple way using Visual Studio.

Why Ignore Files?

Ignoring files during deployment is useful for several reasons:

• Security: Prevent sensitive information from being exposed.
• Efficiency: Reduce the size of the deployment package.
• Environment Specific: Ensure files meant for development don’t get deployed to production.

Method 1: Using exclude.wpp.targets to Ignore Files

The easiest way to exclude files or folders in Web Deploy is by using a exclude.wpp.targets file. This file lets you specify what should be left out during deployment.

Steps to Ignore Files

1. Create the exclude.wpp.targets File:

   • In Visual Studio, right-click on your project in Solution Explorer.
   • Select Add > New Item.
   • Choose XML File and name it exclude.wpp.targets.

2. Edit the exclude.wpp.targets File:

   Open the file and add the following XML to specify the files or directories to ignore:

                   <Project>
     <ItemGroup>
       <!-- Ignore log files -->
       <ExcludeFilesFromDeployment Include="**\*.log" />
       <!-- Ignore a specific file -->
       <ExcludeFilesFromDeployment Include="**\filename.txt" />
       <!-- Ignore a folder -->
       <ExcludeFilesFromDeployment Include="**\test\**" />
     </ItemGroup>
   </Project>
                   
               

3. Save and Build Your Project:

   Save the exclude.wpp.targets file and rebuild your project. The specified files and folders will now be excluded from the deployment.

Ignoring files in Web Deploy is essential for maintaining a clean and secure deployment. By using the exclude.wpp.targets file, you can easily exclude unnecessary or sensitive files from your deployment package. This simple setup ensures your deployment process is efficient and secure, making your life as a developer a bit easier.