MSI files

[naifyboy]

hi guys

do you know where there is a list of vendors that supply msi files with their software.

we are looking at what apps we can deploy using group policy.

thanks

 

[bofhrevenge2]

I don't think there is at least not that i've found, it seems even the vendors arn't sure half the time as they come and go between versions. Most of the larger vendors supply MSI files but having said that we recently deployed Photoshop Elements 2 and it didn't come with an MSI so we had to use a silent install option.

Here is a good site to start looking for info on packages tho.

http://appdeploy.com/

 

[naifyboy]

thanks that website looks really great.

 

[tfg13]

There is always the option of building your own .msi files. Take a look at the following:

Wise for Windows Installer (relatively expensive but very good)

WinInstall (free, but takes some time to get used to)

InstallShield AdminStudio (more expensive than Wise, but very intuitive).

 

[bofhrevenge2]

Yes absolutely tfg13 is right there is that option I use WinInstall LE myself and it works very well, as tfg13 said it takes a bit of fiddling to get the hang of but you can't complain about the price.

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

 

[naifyboy]

thanks guys - i looked at WISE. i think it moght be more than we need. all i want to do is to for instance - "pre-record" the settings on an Adobe Acrobat installation for example so the user does not have to click Next and the installation is unattended....it lloks to me that WISE is more for creating in-house apps.

maybe i'm wrong

 

[bofhrevenge2]

WinInstall LE literally records the settings that you chose while installing an app also file aditions and registry changes and turns it all in to an MSI that you can deploy using Group Policy. It really is that easy.

As for Acrobat reader it does come with an MSI.


1. Download Adobe Reader from Adobe. Be sure to check the box that indicates that you do not want to use the Adobe Download Manager. This will cause the full version to download as AdbeRdr60_enu_full.exe.

2. Run AdbeRdr60_enu_full.exe. A dialog will display the message, "Please wait while Adobe Reader 6 is recomposed." Eventually, you be presented with an installation splash screen.

3. After you see the installation splash screen, look for the directory %SystemRoot%\Cache. This is where AdbeRdr60_enu_full.exe places the installation files. Copy %SystemRoot%\Cache\Adobe Reader 6.0\ to another location. These are the install files you may use to load Reader on other PC's.

 

[naifyboy]

hi again

does winisntall le allow you to have unattend installations. In other words i do not want the users the have to follow the Wizrd on each install and click Next, Next , Finish etc?

thanks

 

[bofhrevenge2]

I take it you are using Active Directory?

Wininstall LE works like this.

1. It takes a snapshot of your hard drive.
2. You install the software and tick all the boxes and settings that you want.
3. Take an after snapshot of the hard disk.

The software then records all changes that you made and turns it into an MSI file, you then add this to he appropriate OU in Active Directory and it installs to the desktop PC with no interaction from the user.

It's great i use it for distributing software to our 300 desktops.

 

[DirtDawg]

If you have your windows 2003 disk. Just browse your CD and go to support Tools. There is a free MSI creator there.