Configuration Manager/Deploy clients to computers

From ITHandbook

Overview

There are several ways to install the client. But in general, common methods include the following:

  • Software update-based installation
  • Client push installation
  • Logon script installation
  • Manual installation

Software update-based installation

The Advantages of Software update-based installation are automatically install, doesn't require computers to be discovered, and automatically reads the client installation properties after the Active Directory schema is extended. However, it requires a functioning software update point as a prerequisite. For more information, see Install a Software update point.

For first-time installation or upgrade, this method is recommended.

If you haven't extended the Active Directory schema, configure and assign a Group Policy Object to provision client installation settings. See Provision client installation properties

Configure a GPO to specify the software update point

Software update-based installation receives client installation packages or upgrades through the Windows Update.

For the tutorial, see Configure to receive updates from WSUS server.

Publish the client to the software update point

Go to the Administration → Site Configuration → Sites.

Select and right-click a site server, and then select Client Installation Settings → Software Update-Based Client Installation.

Check Enable Software Update-Based Client Installation and click OK to save the changes.

Check if the version number appears in "Published Version", it may take up to 30 minutes.

Use Windows Update to install or upgrade the client on devices.

Client push installation

Client push installation can automatically install the client and use installation properties without extending the AD schema. But it can only be used on computers that Configuration Manager has discovered.

Go to the Administration → Site Configuration → Sites, select and right-click a site server, and then select Client Installation Settings → Client Push Installation.

On the General tab, check Enable automatic site-wide client push installation.

Switch to Accounts tab, and specify one or more accounts with administrator privilege of the destination devices.

On the Installation Properties tab, specify any installation properties if required.

For more information, see Microsoft Documentation.

Use the wizard to push clients to computers manually

 Note:
 Manually push the client to install the client on the device immediately.

Go to the Assets and Compliance → Devices, select and right-click one or more devices, and then select Install Client.

Switch to Installation Options on the left pane.

  • Allow the client software to be installed on domain controllers
    • The client is not installed on the domain controller by default. Check the box to install the client to domain controllers.
  • Always install the client software
    • Install regardless of whether the client is already installed.
  • Uninstall existing Configuration Manager client before the client installed
    • If there is a problem with the client, check the box to reinstall the client.
  • Install the client software from a specified site
    • Specify the site on which you want to install the client, optional.

Review the summary and click Next to start the installation.

Logon script installation

 Note:
 Ensure that devices or the domain account can access the share on the site server.

Login script installation can install or upgrade the client immediately when logging in. It uses the same parameters as manual installation.

Create a script and place it in C:\WINDOWS\SYSVOL\domain\scripts folder.

Select and edit a GPO, navigate to User Configuration → Windows Settings → Scripts (Logon/Logoff), and double-click Logon to add the script.

Manual installation

 Note:
 Ensure that devices or the domain account can access the share on the site server.

Manual installation is useful for testing purposes. But not applicable to other scenarios because it is very time-consuming.

You can find the installation package and its supporting files on the shared. Generally located in the following directory:

\\<site server name>\SMS_<site code>\Client

For example, your server name is "SCCM01", and the site code is "SAM", the installation program is located in the:

\\SCCM01\SMS_SAM\Client

Open a command prompt as administrator, and manually enter the command to install the client. For installation parameters, refer to Microsoft Documentation.

The installer has no GUI, you can only view the log to determine the installation.

Provision client installation properties

It can assist the software update-based installation by provisioning client installation properties

Select a GPO and modify, navigate to Computer Configuration → Policies.

Right-click Administrative Templates and select Add/Remove Templates....


The administrative templates are supplied on the site shared folder, the directory is located at:

\\<site server name>\SMS_<site code>\tools\ConfigMgrADMTemplates

Add the administrative templates named ConfigMgrInstallation.adm and configmgrassignment.adm.

Click Close to save.

Navigate to Classic Administrative Templates (ADM) → Configuration Manager → Configuration Manager Client.

Double-click Configure Configuration Manager Site Assignment to edit.

Enable this policy and specify a site code, set the time of retry interval and retry duration.

Click OK to save.

Double-click Configure Configuration Manager Client Deployment Settings to edit.

Enable this policy and specify the parameters, for more information, see Microsoft Documentation.

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