Why do we need to restart the CRM server after registering the custom workflow using Plugin Registration tool to make that work properly
dynamics-crm, dynamics-crm-4, workflow, workflow-activity
Solution
1) You do not need to restart IIS; restart the application pool (its far faster and doesn't disrupt other applications that might be running on the server; by default its the 'CrmAppPool') using the command:
%systemroot%\system32\inetsrv\appcmd recycle apppool CrmAppPool
2) Similarly, you can recycle the async process by running (powershell):
Restart-Service -displayname "Microsoft Dynamics CRM Asynchronous Processing Service"
3) Both of these commands can be run remotely using the powershell command:
powershell Invoke-Command [CrmServerName] -ScriptBlock { ["Restart-Service...."] }
4) You do not need to deploy to the server to debug plugins. Its far easier/faster to create a test harness. The link below outlines how to setup a dev environment for unit testing.
How I develop and unit test CRM 2011 plugins
Problem
Can we have any alternative way to make run-able the custom Workflow activity in Workflow steps. All the time what I do is register the dll using Plugin registration tool and then restart the server. Then only we can use the custom workflow activity on Workflow. I have tried after restarting the IIS and hoping so it'll be done but no luck. All the time restarting server should not be any solution. Is there any alternative way for it please suggest. All you are suggestion would be greatly appreciated.