Software Installation and Maintenance

Software Installation

The Software Installation snap-in is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that extends Group Policy and is your primary tool for managing software. By using the Software Installation snap-in, you can establish a Group Policy–based software management system so that you can centrally manage the following:

Initial deployment of software, including shrink-wrapped productivity applications and in-house or line-of-business applications.
Upgrades, patches, and quick fixes for software. You can update the software or replace it. You can even upgrade the operating system by using service packs.
Removal of software. You can remove software when users no longer require it or when you no longer support it.

By using the Software Installation snap-in, you can centrally manage the installation of software on a client computer either by assigning applications to users or computers or by publishing applications for users. Assigned software is available on a per-user or per-computer basis from the Start menu. Users gain access to published software by using Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.

Assign required or mandatory software to users or to computers. Assign software when you do not want users to be able to choose not to install software or to be able to remove it. For example, if all of your users need e-mail to do their jobs, assign Microsoft® Outlook® or another e-mail program to all users. If all of your computers require virus protection, assign virus protection software to all computers.

When you assign software to a user, the next time that user logs on to a computer the software is advertised on the desktop, and local registry settings, including file name extensions, are updated. The software advertisement follows the user regardless of which computer he or she uses. The software is set to fully install on first use, which means the software is installed the first time that the user chooses an advertised shortcut on the desktop or Start menu or opens a document with the associated file name extension.

When you assign software to a computer, the application is advertised and the installation is performed when it is safe to do so. Typically, installation occurs when the computer starts up, so that there are no competing processes on the computer. Computer-assigned software is fully installed the next time that the computer is restarted.

Publish software that users might find useful to perform their jobs. When you publish an application, it does not appear installed on users' computers but is instead available for users to install by using Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel. For example, not everyone needs to make business presentations as a daily part of their jobs, but many users do read presentations that others prepare. You can choose to assign Microsoft® PowerPoint® to users who need it and publish the application to users whose needs you cannot anticipate.

For more information about assigning and publishing software, see "Manage Your Software" later in this chapter. For information about how to assign or publish software, see Windows 2000 Server Help.