Referencing embedded resource images in Windows .NET framework app

Question

I want to deploy a Windows app running on .NET Framework v4.7.2 as a single file executable and embed images used as resources in the executable file. I don't want to migrate the app to .NET Core.

The image file is in the app as Resources\Images\fred.png; I have set the build action of the image file to embedded resource and copy to output directory to do not copy

I reference this in the code snippet:

var src = new Uri("pack://application:,,,/Resources/Images/fred.png", UriKind.Absolute);

return new BitmapImage(src);

new BitmapImage(src) generates a null exception because the file isn't found.

I have read the documentation here and the uri path provided seems be correct.

I have also read some other SO posts but the either suggestions didn't work, or they weren't trying to embed an image file in an executable.

My question is: how can I load this image file as an embedded resource so I can deploy the application as a single-file executable?

Answer 1

I changed the build action type from embedded resource to resource and that resolved the issue.