Deploying Slingshot MSI via Group Policy

Create a distribution point

To publish or assign a computer program, create a distribution point on the publishing server by following these steps:

1. Log on to the server as an administrator.
2. Create a shared network folder where you’ll put the Windows Installer package (.msi file) that you want to distribute.
3. Set permissions on the share to allow access to the distribution package.
4. Copy or install the package to the distribution point. For example, to distribute a .msi file, run the administrative installation (setup.exe /a) to copy the files to the distribution point.

Create a Group Policy Object

To create a Group Policy Object (GPO) to use to distribute the software package, follow these steps:

1. Start the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in by clicking Start, pointing to Administrative Tools, and then clicking Group Policy Management.
2. Expand Forest (your forest) > Domains (your domain).
3. Right-click on Group Policy Objects and select New.
4. Enter a name for your policy and leave Source Starter GPO as (none).
5. Click Properties, and then click the Security tab.
6. Clear the Apply Group Policy check box for the security groups that you don’t want this policy to apply to.
7. Select the Apply Group Policy check box for the groups that you want this policy to apply to.
8. When you’re finished, click OK.

Assign a package

To assign a program to computers that are running Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000, or Windows XP Professional, or to users who are logging on to one of these workstations, follow these steps:

1. Start the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in by clicking Start, pointing to Administrative Tools, and then clicking Group Policy Management.
2. Select the policy that you want, and then click Edit.
3. Under Computer Configuration, expand Policies, expand Software Settings.
4. Right-click Software installation, point to New, and then click Package.
5. In the Open dialog box, type the full Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path of the shared installer package that you want. For example, \\<file server>\<share>\<file name>.msi.

Important

Don’t use the Browse button to access the location. Make sure that you use the UNC path of the shared installer package.

7. Click Open.
8. Click Assigned, and then click OK. The package is listed in the right-pane of the Group Policy window.
9. Close the Group Policy snap-in, click OK, and then close the Group Policy Management snap-in.
10. Right click the Domain, select Link and existing GPO, select the MSI Deployment GPO, Select OK.
11. When the client computer starts, the managed software package is automatically installed.

Once Collection is finished and all endpoints have received the installer you can then proceed to remove the package and the collection phase will be complete.

Remove a package

To remove a published or assigned package, follow these steps:

1. Start the Group Policy Management and Computers snap-in by clicking Start, pointing to Administrative Tools, and then clicking Group Policy Management.
2. In the console tree, right-click your domain, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Group Policy tab, click the Group Policy Object that you used to deploy the package, and then click Edit.
4. Expand the Software Settings container that contains the software installation item that you used to deploy the package.
5. Click the software installation container that contains the package.
6. In the right-pane of the Group Policy window, right-click the program, point to All Tasks, and then click Remove.
7. Perform one of the following actions:
   • Click Immediately uninstall the software from users and computers, and then click OK.