If you manage a domain network of computers, installing software on multiple machines can mean spending hours or days repeating the installation process on each PC. If the software requires little configuration, or if all machines require the same configuration, an installation script can save you a considerable amount of time. An installation script allows you to automate the installation process on all machines that have access to the server. Once you deploy the automated installation script across the domain, the script will continue to run until the software installation completes on all connected computers.
Instructions
1. Copy the installer or setup utility you want to install to the domain server. Take note of the folder name where you saved the executable installer file.
2. Click "Start" on the Windows taskbar. Type "notepad" in the search box and press the "Enter" key. Wait for the Windows Notepad application to display on the screen.
3. Enter the following text in the new Notepad document:
@Echo Off
\\Server_Computer_Network_Name\Shared_Folder\SoftwareInstaller.exe /S
Replace the "Server_Computer_Network_Name" variable with the network computer name of the server where the installation program is located. Replace the "Shared_Folder" variable with the folder where you stored the installation program. Replace "SoftwareInstaller" with the actual file name of the executable setup file to run.
4. Click "File" and "Save" on the Windows Notepad menu bar. Browse to the folder specified in the "Shared_Folder" variable. Enter "InsallationScript.bat" or something similar in the "Save As" field. Click the "Save" button.
5. Click the "Start" button and then "Administrative Tools." Click "Active Directory Users and Computers."
6. Right-click on the domain name in the "Active Directory" window. Click "Properties" on the pop-up window.
7. Click "Group Policy" in the "Properties" window. Click the "Default" domain policy and then "Edit." Click the "User Configuration" option.
8. Click the "+" symbol next to the "User Configuration" label. Click "Windows Settings." Under the "Scripts (Logon/Logoff)" header, click the "Scripts" option. Double-click the "Logon" link.
9. Click "Add" and then "Browse." Navigate to the folder on the server where you saved the installation batch file. Highlight the file name and click "Open." Click the "Apply" button and then "OK."
10. Close the "Group Policy Editor" window and the "Active Directory" window. The server installs the application automatically when users log into their accounts.
