ClickOnce has prerequisite for

• “Sql server 2012 Express localDb”
• “Sql server 2016 Express localDb”
• “Sql server 2017 Express localDb”
• “Sql server 2012 Express localDb”

but not for

• “Sql server 2022 Express localDb”.

See, https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/t/ClickOnce-Sql-server-2022-Express-local/10614924

Add the custom dependency:

• copy the files into c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\ClickOnce Bootstrapper\Packages
  • you need admin rights
• now the new dependency should appear in VS
  • you do not have to restart VS, just press in "project / publish" and the "more actions / edit"
• creating from scratch
  • start from "c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\ClickOnce Bootstrapper\Packages\SqlLocalDB2019"
  • modify product.xml: ProductCode, SearchPath
    • <BypassIf Property="sqllocaldbVersion" Compare="VersionGreaterThanOrEqualTo" Value="2022.1.1.1"/>
    • I did not change: vc_redist.x64.exe
  • modify en / eula.rtf, 2019 -> 2022
  • modify en / package.xml, 2019 -> 2022
    • it is not easy to figure out the direct download link (sqllocaldb_64)
    • https://blog.dotsmart.net/2022/11/24/sql-server-2022-localdb-download/