Deploy Software via GPO
It is a good way for having an Active Directory Domain and we can deploy software via GPO (Group Policy Object). Software deployment is crucial in business environments to save time and money. Therefore, Microsoft not only gives us a simple way to execute msi file, but also provides a quick solution to uninstall it when we don’t need it anymore. So, this post will shows you one of the ways to install software remotely.
- Create a New GPO
To deploy software GPO in Group Policy Management, go to Group Policy Object -> right click and create new policy object -> named ‘Software-Deployment’.
2. Name the Object To Be Created
3. Edit Policy
Right Click on Software-Deployment Object -> Edit
4. Set Default Package Location.
In the Group Policy Management Editor snap-in, go to “Computer Configuration > Policies > Software Settings > Software installation”. Right click on the item “Software installation”, select “Property > Specify a Network Path to the Software Package ”
5. Specify a Network Path to the Software Package
- In the window that appears, go to the previously prepared software distribution point and select the Windows Installer file, using which, the software will be installed. At this stage, pay attention to two features. First, the shared access to this folder should be open.
- The second, more important point: when choosing a folder, you need to specify not a local drive letter on your domain controller (in the event that the installation package is located on the domain controller), but the network path, since this location is published for client computers.
6. Select Deployment Method
We are setting up a Computer Configuration policy, so we can only assign the application and not publish it. Assigned applications will be installed at the first reboot or policy update while published applications will be available for the users to be installed or removed. For this reason, you can only publish application to users. The Advanced option simply make us able to edit the application deployment Properties.
7. Use Default Settings for Deployment Method
In the properties dialog of the installation package, which pops up a few seconds after specifying the deployment method, you can specify additional parameters. After you have made all the necessary changes, click “OK.”
8. Deployment Set up Window
The policy editing window should look like this (screenshot).
- Link the GPO Object to Computer OU (Office-Update)
- Close the Group Policy Management window and open the Windows command prompt “gpupdate / force”
- The server will report that it will not be able to apply the installation policy without rebooting and will offer to reboot.
- Type in the command line “y” (in the English layout) and press the “Enter” key.
- The system will restart 1 minute after entering the command. Or just restart the server through the Start menu.
Go to Windows 10 Client -> run “gpupdate /force” and reboot pc, after reboot the pc the application will be install silently in the back and it will take up to 5 Mins to complete the installation.
More info: Use Group Policy to remotely install software
Let me know if you have any concern for deployment software via GPO.