Advertised shortcut to network path/file?
Hi all,
Wondering whether this is actually possible/concievable at all, or pushing the boundaries of what is viable with MSI/Windows Installer.
We are generally using user-assigned apps deployed through Group Policy Software Installation to push MSI's - we are configuring them as 'assigned', but not 'auto-install' because it creates the rather nice 'placeholder icon' (advertised shortcut), which the user can then fire if they want that particular app, it goes away, installs, and runs automatically.
This works fine for most apps, as they are installed locally to the workstation - and the shortcut points to the 'key file' executable as part of the package.
We have a few that have a mixture of both locally installed components, but still run primarily from a network path/exe.
Is there anyway to make a network-based file as the key file, or to configure the advertisement in some way so that it installs and run the exe from the network location?
When I change 'Advertised = Yes' in the Adminstudio Editor, it removes the Target I specify (e.g. [APPPATH]\Program.exe), and gives me the Component Warning.
Anybody had the same requirement and got a workaround - perhaps a fiddle with the Feature/Component, INSTALL/TARGETDIR or VBScript in a custom action?
Ta in advance,
Steph
Wondering whether this is actually possible/concievable at all, or pushing the boundaries of what is viable with MSI/Windows Installer.
We are generally using user-assigned apps deployed through Group Policy Software Installation to push MSI's - we are configuring them as 'assigned', but not 'auto-install' because it creates the rather nice 'placeholder icon' (advertised shortcut), which the user can then fire if they want that particular app, it goes away, installs, and runs automatically.
This works fine for most apps, as they are installed locally to the workstation - and the shortcut points to the 'key file' executable as part of the package.
We have a few that have a mixture of both locally installed components, but still run primarily from a network path/exe.
Is there anyway to make a network-based file as the key file, or to configure the advertisement in some way so that it installs and run the exe from the network location?
When I change 'Advertised = Yes' in the Adminstudio Editor, it removes the Target I specify (e.g. [APPPATH]\Program.exe), and gives me the Component Warning.
Anybody had the same requirement and got a workaround - perhaps a fiddle with the Feature/Component, INSTALL/TARGETDIR or VBScript in a custom action?
Ta in advance,
Steph
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Answers (3)
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Posted by:
AngelD
16 years ago
You will have to create a vbscript that launches the .EXE from the network, in this way you can also check if the network is accessable or not.
Install the vbscript as a file and then point the (advertised) shortcut for this script. So when the vbscript is launched windows installer will look for broken components and/or install on-demand.
Install the vbscript as a file and then point the (advertised) shortcut for this script. So when the vbscript is launched windows installer will look for broken components and/or install on-demand.
Posted by:
stephenejones
16 years ago
Thanks AngelD.
I realised I could just have a locally-installed bat file, which in turn then called the network-based path, but actually I might do a VBScript'ed one instead.
If anyone else has alternatives, then do please post a reply - but I am thinking this is the only way to achieve it?
Steph
I realised I could just have a locally-installed bat file, which in turn then called the network-based path, but actually I might do a VBScript'ed one instead.
If anyone else has alternatives, then do please post a reply - but I am thinking this is the only way to achieve it?
Steph
Posted by:
TOBES_UK
16 years ago
This bit of VB should suffice:
SET objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
SET objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
IF objFSO.FileExists("T:\Windows\SYSTEM32\MSPAINT.exe") THEN
objShell.Run """T:\Windows\SYSTEM32\MSPAINT.exe""", true
ELSE
MsgBox "Network Connection is Not Available, MS Paint cannot be executed!.",,"Warning!"
WScript.quit
END IF
SET objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
SET objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
IF objFSO.FileExists("T:\Windows\SYSTEM32\MSPAINT.exe") THEN
objShell.Run """T:\Windows\SYSTEM32\MSPAINT.exe""", true
ELSE
MsgBox "Network Connection is Not Available, MS Paint cannot be executed!.",,"Warning!"
WScript.quit
END IF
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