According to the answer to this question, everything installed after enabling the Remote Desktop Services role should be done after changing to install mode.
I can't find any detailed information on the install/ execute modes and I would like to know if the install/ execute cycle should be done once per installed software or can be done for many simultaneous installations.
For instance,
1) Install mode -> install adobe reader -> execute mode
2) Install mode -> install adobe reader, office, etc -> execute mode
Which one of the above methods is correct or are they both acceptable?
Also, what about software updates within applications. Some software has in-app update mechanisms such as Adobe Reader.
Do I change to install mode before applying those types of updates?
P.S. Are Windows updates exempt from the requirement to switch to install mode?
Best Answer
I disagree with Joe's answer you linked to in part where he states:
Maybe that is best practice, I don't know for certain, but...for "remote administration" installs, where I'm installing applications that are specific for the server itself on a Terminal Server, such as a server A/V endpoint app, or a piece of software I want to run on the server for administrative purposes only, I won't bother to switch to
install mode.To me, Install mode is just like Joe pointed out and is also discussed here, it's for installing an application that will be in use by multiple users at the same time and therefore needs user specific settings/info/ini.
So in your question, I think both #1 and #2 are acceptable...