Deploy Software Using Group Policy Management Console ~ Ask My Tips

Deploy Software Using Group Policy Management Console

Group Policy Management Console

Group Policy is a feature of the Microsoft operating systems that controls the working environment of user accounts and computer accounts. Group Policy provides the centralized management and configuration of operating systems, applications, and users' settings in an Active Directory environment. Group Policy is a hierarchical infrastructure that allows an administrator in charge of Microsoft's Active Directory to implement specific configurations for users and computers. Group Policy can also be used to define user, security and networking policies at the machine level.

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Also View: Install Windows Deployment Services (WDS) Role
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Why Group Policy

Group Policy is the feature available in Windows Server Operating System. Group policy is a collection of settings which can be applied on computers and users. With group policy administrator can centrally manage the computers and users. Eases administration using group policy. Group policy is not the great way to install software’s on large scale. There are plenty of other tools are available for mass deployment of software’s in your network such as SCCM etc. We are here going to deploy some basic software’s, such as Google Chrome, Adobe Reader etc. With the help of group policy we can deploy this kind of software’s in our environment efficiently. There are two types of Group Policy consoles. First is Local Group Policy Editor and second is Group Policy Management Console which is known as GPMC in Windows Server Operating System.

(Note: Starter GPOs were introduced in Windows Server 2008. A starter GPO is essentially a template for the creation of domain GPOs based on a standard collection of settings.)

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Also View: How to Deploy Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Server
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Group Policy Requirements

Windows Server Operating System. (Prefer 2012 or 2012 R2)
Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) feature should be installed.
All client computers are in same domain environment.
Proper Organizational Unit management.
(User OU for User Settings & Computer OU for Computer Settings.)
Create a folder, assign share permissions for the Domain Computers group of 'Read' and assign security permissions of 'Read/Execute' for the Domain Computers group. Place the MSI within this folder.

(Note: Group Policy supports the deployment of “.MSI” but not “.EXE” applications.)

Download the MSI Installer file from the address below (select for IT Managers options)

https://www.google.com.au/chrome/business/browser/

Steps for Deployment of Software’s using Group Policy

Log in as Domain Administrator in Windows Server Operating System.
Open Server Manager. Goto Tools in server manager.
Click on “Group Policy Management”.
Select Organizational Unit. (Which you want apply software installation policy)
Right click and select “Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here…”

New GPO

New GPO windows will appear and then type a name for GPO and click OK.
After naming your GPO, right click on it and select Edit.
Goto User Configuration > Policies > Software Settings > Software Installation.
Right click New > Select Package…

Software Installation

Select the MSI file you placed in a share drive

Group Policy Deployment Method

Properties

Next time the users will log on they will see the installation screen.

That's it. It is as simple as that. I hope you learned How to Deploy Software Using Group Policy Management Console. If you have any query feel free to contact me.

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