Automate installation of applications

[axishealth]

I work for a company of 50+ users. We currently use Windows 2003 server and Active Directory.
The staff use windows XP pro workstations.

I'd like to be able to install updated applications to the workstations automatically. For example, we use acrobat reader 6.0 and would like all users to have 7.0 on their workstations.

Any suggestions on how we can automate this process.
Thanks
Jerry

 

[qtin]

Well, there is an easy and a not so easy answer.

Easy: For installs that have a MSI (you can extract it from the exe for adobe and some other apps) you can create an AD policy so the machines will install the software on the next reboot.
Computer config -> Software Settings -> Software installation

Not so easy: Repackage apps to a msi format. There are various products that will do this for you. From what people have posted in the past - there are free ones but you get what you pay for (You could search for MSI repackager since I really can't remember them right now).

Given the health part of your ID I hope you don't have some of the same vendors we do. They have been known to not install automatically nicely.

 

[bofhrevenge2]

I've used this to create loads of MSI's and generally they all work nicely. This is the updated vesion of Wininstall LE that came on the Win2k server CD.

http://www.ondemandsoftware.com/freele.asp

I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out - Bill Hicks

 

[chriscj21]

In that case u have done the hard part already!!!

you will find an "upgrades" tab in Computer config -> Software Settings -> Software installation....Create a new .msi and a new software installaion object, then in "upgrades" tab tell AD which product to upgrade.


hth



ChrisCj21
MCSE, A+, N+

 

[Markus0815]

You don't have to create a *.msi package on your own - simply download the full adobe installation setup and start it. After the initial "NetOp Optimizing" process is finished and the welcome screen appears, open an Explorer, browse to %programfiles%\adobe\ and you will find a temporary directory including the full installation package including the desired *.msi file.

/Markus