In today's world of enterprise mobility, IT administrators need tools that simplify the distribution and management of applications across a wide variety of devices. ManageEngine MDM Plus allows IT administrators to easily add, distribute, and install MSI software on their organization's Windows devices. This is particularly useful for devices running Windows 10 and later, as they can be centrally managed and monitored through the MDM interface. This tutorial provides an in-depth guide to adding MSI packages, managing software distribution, and performing silent installations using ManageEngine MDM Plus. Let's walk through the process of distributing MSI software step by step.
Step-by-Step Guide to Distributing MSI Software
1. Adding an MSI Package to the App Repository
The first step in distributing MSI software to devices is to add the MSI package to the ManageEngine MDM App Repository.
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Navigate to the App Repository:
- Log in to your MDM server.
- Navigate to the Device Mgmt section and select App Repository from the options.
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Add a New MSI Package:
- Click on Add App and choose MSI Software.
- For the MSI Source, provide the MSI package file. If you’re using MDM On-Premises, the requisite details will be automatically pre-filled from the package.
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Manual Entry for MDM Cloud Users:
- If you’re using MDM Cloud, you’ll need to manually enter details such as the MSI Product Code, Product Version, and Product Name. These details can be extracted using a PowerShell script or a third-party MSI editor like Orca.
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2. Retrieving MSI Package Details (Product Code, Version, etc.)
- To manually specify the MSI details in MDM Cloud, you’ll need to retrieve important properties like Product Code, Version, and Name. These values can be found using the following methods:
Method 1: Using a PowerShell Script
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Download the PowerShell script provided by ManageEngine.
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Open Command Prompt and run the following command:
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PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -NoLogo -noninteractive <path_to_the_downloaded_powershell_script> -Path <path_to_the_MSI_file> -Properties "ProductCode,ProductVersion,ProductName"
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- This command will generate a JSON file containing all the necessary details, which can then be manually specified in MDM Cloud.
- This command will generate a JSON file containing all the necessary details, which can then be manually specified in MDM Cloud.
Method 2: Using Orca MSI Editor
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- You can also use the Orca MSI editor, a tool that allows you to view and edit MSI package properties. This tool can be especially useful for those who prefer a GUI-based approach to retrieving MSI information.
- You can also use the Orca MSI editor, a tool that allows you to view and edit MSI package properties. This tool can be especially useful for those who prefer a GUI-based approach to retrieving MSI information.
3. Specifying Command Line Arguments for Installation
- While adding the MSI package, administrators can optionally specify Command Line Args to customize the installation process. For example, if the MSI requires admin privileges for installation, you can include the /a argument.
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Example Command Line Argument:
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msiexec /i "<path_to_the_MSI_file>" /quiet /norestart
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- /i: Install the package.
- /quiet: Silently installs the application without user interaction.
- /norestart: Prevents the device from restarting automatically after installation.
- To learn more about the various command-line arguments, you can refer to the official MSI Exec Documentation.
4. Saving the MSI Package and Distributing it to Devices
- Once you've filled in all the necessary details and provided any required command-line arguments, click Save to add the MSI package to the App Repository. This step ensures that the MSI package is ready for distribution across your organization’s Windows devices.
5. Distributing MSI Packages to Devices or Device Groups
- Navigate to the App and click on the Distribute button.
- Choose specific devices or Device Groups (e.g., Laptops, Desktops, or Surface Pro tablets).
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Choose Distribution Method:
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- Silent Installation: Installs the app automatically on selected devices without user interaction.
- App Catalog: Publishes the app to the App Catalog, allowing users to install it at their convenience.
- Once the target devices or groups and the distribution method are selected, ManageEngine MDM will handle the deployment process.
6. Monitoring and Managing the Installation:
- You can monitor the installation status from the MDM dashboard under App Repository or Device Management. This allows you to track which devices have successfully installed the MSI package and address any issues that may arise.
For more detailed documentation on app management using MDM, refer to the official ManageEngine MDM Plus documentation.
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