desktop shortcut & remote deployment

[jkirby]

HI Support,

I have created a project which i can successfully push out via group policy, the only thing that doesn't work is adding a shortcut to the desktop. Is this because the deployment is based on the computer rather than the user. e.g The software is installed on start up (before any user has logged in) and if so is there anyway around it?

Thanks,
James.

[FrancescoT]

Dear James,

I suppose that probably this happens because the desktop destination folder for the shortcut is not correct.

If you try to install your package manually (without pushing it via group policy) for all users (per-machine), does it create the desktop shortcut?

Regards

[jkirby]

yes, when installing manually the shortcut is created on the desktop.

[FrancescoT]

Dear James,

Could you please try if the attached msi package creates a desktop shortcut?

NOTE!
the attached package executes a per-machine (for all users) installation only.

Regards

[jkirby]

Morning Francesco,

I've run the MSI manually and via group policy and the shortcut gets added both ways, so I guess I'm doing something wrong with my MSI build?

[FrancescoT]

Dear James,

First verify that your MSI script code includes the following code (at the very beginning of the "Process (Un)Installation" code region);

Code: Select all

if Variable ALLUSERS Equals TRUE
  Comment: THE FOLLOWING COMMAND USES THE "GET FOR ALL USERS" FLAG
  Comment: TO RETRIVE THE DESKTOP FOLDER LOCATION "FOR ALLUSERS".
  Get Common Folder Location System->Desktop Directory into DESKTOPDIR
else
  Get Folder Location System->Desktop Directory into DESKTOPDIR
end

Then verify that the ALLUSERS pre-defined variable is effectively TRUE (per-machine installation).
It is possible to force this variable as TRUE, executing the MSI file from command line as follow;
> msiexec.exe /i <msi-package> CMDLINE="ALLUSERS=TRUE"

Alternatively, it is possible to use the IA Group Policy Wizard tool to embed the above command line with the MSI package.
In this case enter "ALLUSERS=TRUE" (without quotes) in the "Command Line parameter" filed of the IA Group Policy Wizard tool (while converting your setup.exe to MSI).

Hope this helps you.

Regards

[jkirby]

Hi Francesco,

Adding that script fixed my problem.

Thank you for your help

James.

[FrancescoT]