Software deployment is the most important task for System Administrator on the network. Here we just show you an easy way to deploy software using Group Policy on network client computers. It’s not difficult but needs some basic networking and Windows Server knowledge.

Deploy Software using Group Policy

Let’s start with installing some software in Windows 10 through group policy. I’m using Windows 10 as a client and Windows Server 2012 R2 for Server. It works the same for Windows server 2019 as well.

1. Create a folder in Server and share it with appropriate permission for domain users to execute MSI files.

Here I have created an AppDeployment folder. The folder contains all software we need to install them through group policy.

2. Now go to Server Manager Dashboard and open the Group Policy Management or simply type “Gpmc.msc” in Windows Run.

3. In Group Policy Management console, create a new GPO and link it to your domain. I have created App Deployment for Technig.local domain.

4. Right-click the App Deployment and click edit, in order to edit the policy. In the opened Group Policy Management Editor, go to the Software installation through Computer Configuration > Policies > Software Settings > Software Installation.

5. To create a new software package, right-click the Software installation > New then click Package.

6. In the opened window, using the UNC path of the software select the software MSI file you want to deploy. Here I want to install 7zip software for Technig.local clients.

7. On the Deploy Software window select Assigned then click OK.

8. Now, Navigate to Properties of software MSI file on the Deployment tab, check the Install this application at logon then click OK. Finally, close all opened windows and update the Windows Policy by typing “Gpupdate /force /logoff” command on Command Prompt. You might need to restart your PC after executing the group policy update command.

Testing Software Deployment on Network Computers

Now you can test the software deployment with group policy on one of your client computer. Here I test it on a Windows 10 PC. I have just updated the group policy and restart my computer. Now the 7zip has been installed successfully.

You can see the 7zip has been installed successfully on Windows 10 at login through group policy. Try to apply this article to deploy software using group policy on your network environment. Please comment us if you have any issue with deploying software with group policy in Windows server.

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