Software Deployment

Hello and welcome,

This is what I would do, I would make a batch file that runs the MSI via command line silent mode using 'START /wait' to call the msi. In the same batch file use xcopy to copy or you can even move the shortcut frm it's default location to the 'All Users' profile. This way is simple it keeps the MSI intact without modifying it.

Example:

start /wait c:\windows\system32\msiexec.exe /i <path to MSI> /qb ALLUSERS=1

move /y c:\documents and setting\Joe\Desktop\shortcut.lnk c:\documents and settings\all users\desktop


good luck.

i was thinking about it, and that would work, but here's the issue, i am deploying this application to thousands of workstations using a deployment tool....i am also using a script to utilize a local administrator to install this application. The issue is this, this particular local user doesn't really exist in all of the workstations...

so the best and easiest solution is to modify the MSI to make it drop the shortcuts onto the ALL USERS folder instead of Installed User Folder.

Is the application installed per-machine (ALLUSERS=1)?
Check for any custom action (ex. Set Directory or Set Property) changing "ProfilesFolder" to [%USERPROFILE]

Run the installation with verbose logging as that may tell your more.

I checked for the ALLUSERS property on the property manager, however that particular property does not exist. I can add the property and set it to 1, but when i tried that, application doesn't install, and it just bombs out. i will try it once more and see how it goes. I do however see ApplicationUsers=AllUsers property...?

I've also checked for a custom action on the Property Manager, but i don't see any.

ORIGINAL: NYCPackager

i was thinking about it, and that would work, but here's the issue, i am deploying this application to thousands of workstations using a deployment tool....i am also using a script to utilize a local administrator to install this application. The issue is this, this particular local user doesn't really exist in all of the workstations...

so the best and easiest solution is to modify the MSI to make it drop the shortcuts onto the ALL USERS folder instead of Installed User Folder.



That is exactly what I stated above, do a copy via batch file to the ALL USERS folder. ALL USers =1 won't always create shortcuts for all users.

Please specify which directory the shortcut(s) installs to.
Directory_ column in the Shortcut table.
Also provide the directory references for that directory from the Directory table.

Hey AngelD,

I've added the ALLUSERS=1 to the MSI and this time it seems to work...and i have been using this option since yesterday, and it is working perfectly so far...Thanks for the help on that one!!

now i have one more issue...not sure if i should create a new thread or not...but here it is.

This particular Application (the same one), requires a user account to install oddly enough. Let me make that clear...At my job, i use ZenWorks to do mass distribution, and i set the application object to use a System User to install applications. So i use a script to basically Run (Setup.exe, <flags>). The thing is if i use the System User account the application starts to install, but then it just stops. However, if i code the script to utilze a Domain / Local User account to install the application, it installs fine. How do i edit the MSI so that it doesn't have any ties to any user account?

I guess the problem you're having while installing with the system account is due to lack of a "user" profile.
Install with verbose log should tell you where it bombs out.

I'm no expert in ZenWorks, hell... I've never used ZenWorks ;) so can't comment on that.

i was thinking that...the user that i'm installing it with isn't really a user account...and doesn't have a user profile...i'll try the activating the verbose log and see what happens...now to remember how to turn on the Verbose Log from the class...lol

For verbose logging either add the (msiexec) /L*v switch and specify where the log-file should be placed or enable logging through policy for the log to be created under the user's %temp% folder.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer
Logging (REG_SZ) = voicewarmup