Create a Windows MSI Installer for mass deployment

The Windows MSI Installer is used for mass deployment of the Windows Take Control Agent through Group Policy or other automated deployment tools.

You create the Windows MSI Installer in the Admin Area.

Create the Windows MSI Installer

After you have logged into the Admin Area:

  1. Select Management > Installers, then choose Add installer.
  2. Enter a Name for the installer.
  3. (Optional) Select Use installer name for device.

    If selected the device appears in the Devices list using the installer name. However, if the Agent template is set to Keep Agent Name Synched with the Device Local Name, the template rule is applied.

  4. (Optional) Select Bind installer to end user and choose the end users from the drop down menu.

    If selected, the chosen End users will only be able to access these devices. This does not affect Technician user access.

  5. Choose Microsoft Windows MSI in the Operating System drop down menu.
  6. Select the Group.
  7. Enter the Customer Details.
  8. Set the Number of installations allowed by the installer.
  9. Set the Link expiration date or enable Link never expires.
  10. Select Save to generate and automatically download the installer.

    11. The installer PIN code, required for end user download and installation, and direct download links are available in the installers LINKS tab in Management > Installers.

Download the Windows MSI Installer

To download the installer again, or provide a download link to a colleague or customer, these are available in the Admin Area.

After you have logged into the Admin Area:

  1. Select Management > Installers, then choose the MSI installer from the list.
  2. Go to the LINKS tab:
    • The automatic download URL provides the .MSI version of the installer. The URL expires after 7 days.
    • The PIN Code allows an end user to download a .EXE version of the installer from startcontrol.com. The PIN expires after 7 days.
    • The Absolute Link provides the .MSI version of the installer. The URL does not expire.

Deploy the MSI Installer

To deploy the Windows MSI Installer, configure Windows Group Policy or other automated deployment tool to automatically distribute programs to client computers or users.

See Microsoft's Use Group Policy to remotely install software article for instructions. Add the Windows MSI Installer to the Distribution point as part of your Group Policy configuration.

If you use a different automated deployment tool, refer to that tool's instructions.

Run the MSI manually with msiexec switches

The MSI installer can be run manually using msiexec switches to control the install behavior. You need the full path to the MSI installer, for example:

  • Local: C:\N-able Installers\BAManagement.msi
  • UNC: \\server\share\\BAManagement.msi

On the target device:

  1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as administrator.
  2. Issue one of the following commands:
    • Normal silent install

      msiexec /i "<path_to_msi>" /qn

    • Silent install on an instance

      msiexec /i "<path_to_msi>" INSTANCE="<instance_name>"

    • Uninstall

      msiexec /uninstall "<path_to_msi>"

      • -   Substituting the placeholders

      Keep the double quotes when substituting the path. They ensure the command works correctly if the path contains spaces. For example:

      msiexec /i "C:\N-able Installers\BAManagement.msi" /qn

Related articles