I have some MSI files I would like to install via Group Policy. Does anyone know how to do this or know a document that explains how to do this that meets the following criteria:
- When installed by hand, these MSI files ask a few questions. I want to be able to automate this.
- I don't want to have to touch the server at all. I don't want to have to even log in.
Best Answer
If the installation is assigned to the computer itself the program will be installed the next time it starts; you'll have to manually restart the server if there isn't some auto-restart mechanism.
If the program can not be installed without asking the questions, you wont be able to install it via GPO. You can initially test this by running
msiexec /qb /i installer.msi; if it installs you should be fine; otherwise it will fail. Depending on the program you might be able to get around this by specifying properties for the installer.When manually run properties are specified in the form
msiexec /i installer.msi property=valueand you can specify multiple properties. Check out the http://AppDeploy.com website for your app, it might have the information you need (if your app requires these properties).You might also be able to create an Installer Transform (MST) that changes how the installer works slightly, thus allowing the program to be deployed. The usual tool to use is MS's Orca, which is part of the Platform SDK (IIRC). There are other tools available. The AppDeploy website might have info about writing an MST for your app; otherwise you'd have to learn Orca enough to fumble through it (hit-and-miss).
Rarely, the app vendor will publish information on how to write MSTs or Properties=Value pairs. (I love those vendors that do, makes my life a lot easier, especially with complex apps).
I'm looking around for a walkthrough, but not finding much. The basic publishing process in a GPO is pretty straight forward, the greatest difficulty is getting the MSI/MST files in order first.