Deploy MSI-package from GPO

To deploy msi package to from GPO.

1. Create GPO DeployPackage

a. User Configuration>Policies>Software Settings>Software Installation

b. Create new package, choose msi to deploy. Must be located on a shared folder that has read permissions for authenticated users (to include all domain computers).

c. Choose Published

d. Choose newly created package, Change Deployment>Deployment Type to Assigned and Check Deployment options>Install this application at logon

2. Deploy this GPO to an OU where the User object is located.

3. GPUpdate /force on both server and client.

4. If all works, the client will notice the policy and request a restart.

5. Package should deploy as soon as logged in.

Deploy printer through GPO

So I recently acquired an old printer for my home network. It’s a usb-only device so I need to connect it to my Server 2012 Essentials Server. Printers didn’t automatically work like they did on my W8 computer. Apparently a security feature that stops Server 2008+ from looking at Windows Update for printer drivers.

Anyways I now need to deploy this printer to all my home computers. Now I can just go around and connect manually from all machines but how fun is that. So, I’ll deploy it from a group policy. Easy and done right? So using GPO preference I add the printer and deploy it to my user OU. Hmm, nothing happens. Instead I receive an Event 4098 : Specified printer driver was not found.

After a bit of trial and error I found the solution. Creating a different GPO like on picture below and deploying it on the root gpo node makes it work.

Not really good security practice but it’ll work for my home network.

References:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserverGP/thread/8c7f439c-be8c-4511-99fd-566985522673