How can VS automatically add assemblies to the GAC?

You can get Visual Studio to automatically add strong-named assemblies to the GAC by using Post-Build events:

1. Right-click your project and select Properties from the shortcut menu.

2. In the left pane select Build Events (C#) or Compile and the Build Events button (VB .NET).

3. In the Post-build Event Command Line box add the following commands:

   "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v6.0A\bin\GACUTIL" -U "$(TargetName)"
   "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v6.0A\bin\GACUTIL" -I "$(TargetPath)" /f

   In Visual Studio, add the following commands in the macro window:

   "$(DevEnvDir)..\..\SDK\v2.0\bin\GACUTIL" -U "$(TargetName)"
   "$(DevEnvDir)..\..\SDK\v2.0\bin\GACUTIL" -I "$(TargetPath)" /f

   The first command unregisters the old assembly from the GAC and the second line installs the new version of the assembly.

4. Click OK to save the commands, then click OK to close the Properties dialog.