Broad Deployment: Deploy the Vim Connect Desktop Agent Using Group Policy (GPO)

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for IT administrators to deploy the Vim Connect Desktop Agent across multiple Windows endpoints using Group Policy Software Package Distribution (GPO). The process utilizes an MSI installer and a batch script for seamless, large-scale installation.

What You'll Need

• MSI Installer: Download here
• Batch Script: Download here
• Shared Network Folder: Accessible to all target machines
• Group Policy Management Console (GPMC): Installed on your domain controller
  
  

Step 1: Prepare the Shared Folder

1. Create a Shared Folder:
   • If you don't already have one, create a shared folder on a network location accessible to all applicable machines (e.g., NETLOGON, SYSVOL).

1. Set Security Permissions:
   • Under the Security tab, ensure Authenticated Users have the following permissions:
     • Read & execute
     • List folder contents
     • Read

1. Set Sharing Permissions:
   • Under the Sharing tab → Advanced Sharing → Permissions, ensure Everyone has Read permissions only.
     
     

Step 2: Configure Installation Files

1. Copy Files to Shared Folder:
   • Place the downloaded MSI installer and batch script into the shared folder.
     
     
2. Edit the Batch Script:
   • Open the batch script and replace \\path\to\MSI with the actual path to the MSI file. Ensure the path is enclosed in quotation marks.
   • Replace PRODUCT_KEY=123456789 with your organization's unique key provided by Vim.
     Example:
     batch
     CopyEdit
     

     msiexec /i "\\server\shared\VimConnect.msi" /qn /log install.log PRODUCT_KEY=your_org_key

3. Save the Batch Script:

• • After making the necessary changes, save the script.
    
    

Step 3: Deploy via Group Policy

1. Open Group Policy Management:
   • Run gpmc.msc to launch the Group Policy Management Console.
2. Create a New GPO:
   • Right-click on your computers' Organizational Unit (OU) and select Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here.
   • Name the GPO (e.g., "Vim MSI Agent Install") and click OK.
3. Edit the GPO:
   • Right-click the newly created GPO and select Edit.
4. Navigate to Scheduled Tasks:
   • Under Computer Configuration, go to:
     Preferences → Control Panel Settings → Scheduled Tasks
5. Create a New Immediate Task:
   • In the right pane, right-click and select New → Immediate Task (At least Windows 7).
     
     
6. Configure the Task:
   
   • General Tab:
     • Set Action to Create.
     • Enter a name and description for the task.
     • Click Change User or Group, type SYSTEM, click Check Names, then OK.
     • Check Run whether the user is logged on or not and Run with highest privileges.
     • Leave the Configure for field at its default value.
       
       
   • Actions Tab:
     • Click New.
     • Set Action to Start a program.
     • In Program/script, enter cmd.exe.
       
       

In Add arguments (optional), enter:

batch
CopyEdit
/c start "" "\\path\to\bat_file.bat"

•  Replace \\path\to\bat_file.bat with the actual path to your batch script. Ensure the entire path is enclosed in quotation marks. It's recommended to type this line manually to avoid copy-paste errors.
  

• • Click OK to save the task.
    
    

Step 4: Apply the Group Policy

• Force Group Policy Update:

On a target workstation, open Command Prompt and run:

batch
CopyEdit
gpupdate /force

•  Alternatively, wait for the next automatic Group Policy update, which typically occurs every 90–120 minutes.
  
  

Step 5: Verify Installation

• Check for Vim Connect:
  • On the target machines, open the Start menu and look for the Vim Connect application to confirm successful deployment.
    
    

Need Assistance?

If you have any questions or need further support, please contact your Vim representative or reach out to us at providers@getvim.com.