Deploying Msi Packages With Group Policy - Captaris FaxPress User Manual

User Guide > Deploying MSI Packages with Group Policy

Deploying MSI Packages with Group Policy

Note: To upgrade a previously installed MSI package, see Upgrading a
Previous MSI Package below.
Windows Server can be used by IT administrators to rollout Microsoft Software Installed
(MSI) packages through Active Directory to computers and users using two separate
methods:
Publishing Software
Publish a program distribution to users. When the user logs in to the computer,
the published program is displayed in the Add/Remove Programs dialog box,
and it can be installed from there by the user or network administrator.
For Published installations, systems will get the update to the Group Policy and ad-
vertise the MSI in the Add/Remove Programs dialog box for users to install. Up-
dates to a Group Policy can take up to 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of
the Active Directory organization and complexity.
Assigning Software
Assign a program distribution to users or computers. If the program is assigned to
a user, it is installed when the user logs in to the computer. When the user first
runs the program, the installation is finalized.
If the program is assigned to a computer, it is installed when the computer starts
and is available to all users that log in to the computer. When a user first runs the
program, the installation is finalized.
For Assigned installations, systems affected will get the update to the Group Policy
and prepare for the MSI package installation upon the next restart.
Note: Before deployment, create a shared network folder containing the MSI
package that is to be distributed. Set permissions on the share to allow
everyone necessary read access to the distribution package.
24