Software Deployment

ORIGINAL: MSIRepackager
Will the "Self-extracting .exe" (containing MSI) successfully install if executed by a non-admin user ?
If not, is there any way around? If your w/s are permissioned in any way, then no. The only way around it is to install with an admin-level account.This is an inmutable law of Windows: any system changes have to be made with such an account.

You say they don't want an SMS-type install. What about using Group Policy for deployment? If that's also a no-no, is there a way that they would allow a privileged account to start the process using PSExec or something similar? After those options are exhausted, I suggest that you suggest a CD walk-round by Desktop Support, as the client is evidently too intransigent to do things properly/economically.

LOL...I'm glad *you* said 'cheap'. I was trying to be polite :)

ORIGINAL: MSIRepackager
How can I [assure] ensure that a non-admin user can run this batch file ? Do I need to apply any extra settings in .mst file so that non-admin users can also run this installation? Any user can *run* a batch file: the question you need to ask is, will the MSI successfully install if executed by a non-admin user. In general, the answer is 'no'.

- What is your target audience?
If it's corporate workstations, then almost without question the MSI will require administrative rights to install, as most such w/s will be locked-down, file-wise and registry-wise. If it's an in-house distribution, only you will know if your w/s are permissioned in any way. (BTW, if they're not, why bother with packaging? You may as well let users do what they want, since they will anyway...)

- How will the batch file be run?
Are you using a deployment system like SMS? Group Policy?

Thanks VBScab, You are always helpful.

Yes, this is an in-house distribution but the requester doesn't prefer to use a SMS like tool for distribution.
Workstation users don't have administrative rights.
I need to provide the users with a stand-alone .exe which when run can install the msi.
I zipped all the install files (msi, mst and a bat file which contains the command line to run the msi/mst combo in silent mode) . And, I am using WinZip self-extractor to create a self-extracting .exe file.
Will the "Self-extracting .exe" (containing MSI) successfully install if executed by a non-admin user ?
If not, is there any way around?

you can push it out with login script or WMI if they are too cheap to do it properly.