Deploying a new version of a software via Group Policy
Hello
I deploy common software like Java, Flash, Adobe Reader etc. on the network via MSIs through Group Policies. I'd like to know if there is a recommended way of deploying a later release/version of a software
i.e.
1) unassign the current deployment from its GPO, create a new Group Policy Object for the new release, attach the new GPO to the OU
OR
2) unassign the current deployment from its GPO, specify the new MSI to the same GPO
I deployed a recent Java update using method 2 and some computers (Windows 7 Ent. 64 bit) had issues e.g. some took forever uninstalling the existing version, others seemed to have installed the newer version (as shown in Add/Remove programs) but the browser thought it wasn't. Anyone else experienced this?
Servers are Windows 2008 R2.
Thanks
Answers (4)
I've always used option 1, mostly because I have generally piloted deployments to a select group of users by specifying a group as the GPO's scope.
Thanks for the replies.
There seems to be a problem with Java here.. when manually trying to install, I get this message somewhere during the install:
"There was a problem starting c:\program files (x86)\jre7\bin\\installer.dll
The specified module could not be found"
Notice the \\ before installer.dll? Seems to be not an uncommon problem.
Deleting the following reg key solved my Java deployment issue (at least during initial testing)
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\4EA42A62D9304AC4784BF238120771FF
Sorry I seemed to have answered just for VBScab, but I did mean to answer for both of you!
"others seemed to have installed the newer version (as shown in Add/Remove programs) but the browser thought it wasn't. Anyone else experienced this?"
This happens when you install Java while the browser is open. There is no workaround that I've seen. You have to figure out a way to close the browsers before installing Java.