Mastering EXE Application Deployment: Methods and Tools

Consider a scenario of an IT company with a complex ecosystem involving multiple devices and end users. The development team rolled out a significant feature last week to enhance the application’s functionality. However, some of the issues were identified after the deployment, which requires quick distribution of the update files across the end nodes.

• The deployment of updates needs to be executed fast.
• The update should be automatically installed on the end nodes, without requiring user interaction.
• The update must be tested before deployment and monitored after deployment to verify and validate the functionalities.

Considering the problem statement, the team decided to package the PowerShell script of the required update into an EXE file to cater to all the points. EXE file deployments are faster, support silent installations, and come with pre-installation testing and post-installation monitoring.

This highlights the significance of EXE file deployments in IT infrastructure. With that being said, this article explores EXE file deployments in detail along with the methods and tools to perform it and the best practices to achieve the most out of the process.

1 Understanding Deploy-Application.exe

This section covers the details of Deploy-Application.exe along with its significant functionalities and capabilities.

What is Deploy-Application.exe?

Deploy-Application.exe is a small file that comes in the executable format and invokes the PowerShell script. It stands useful as it hides the PowerShell launcher from the user during the file deployment process. Additionally, Deploy-Application.exe is a part of the PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit (PSADT), which covers the complete software installation process for users.

Main Functionalities and Capabilities

Mainly, the Deploy-Application.exe files are utilized when the deployment is to be executed silently, such as without the user's involvement. However, some of its additional benefits include:

• Makes the whole process of application deployments standardized.
• Executes the pre- and post-installation checks to ensure successful deployments.
• Allows monitoring and troubleshooting based on the collected logs.

2 Method & Tool 1: Deploying Application EXE Files with PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit

PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit (PSADT) is one of the preferable methods when it comes to the deployment of EXE files. PSADT is a collection of functions and scripts responsible for the management and deployment of scripts in the Windows environment.

Significant Features of PSADT

It’s a preferable method because of the following significant features:

• Simplifies Scripting – With the built-in abilities to configure, deploy, and execute scripts, PSADT simplifies the scripting process.
• Enhanced Error Handling Mechanisms – PSADT comes with built-in abilities to handle errors and diagnose vulnerabilities during the deployment process.
• Pre- and Post-Installation Support – PSADT covers the tasks of pre- and post-installation as well. These can include the checking of prerequisites or the configuration of scripts.

Steps to Deploy an EXE File using PSADT

To deploy an EXE file using PSADT, follow the steps mentioned below:

3 Method & Tool 2: Deploying Application EXE Files with Microsoft Intune

MS Intune is a popular cloud-based tool that provides the capabilities to manage and secure all the endpoints in an ecosystem, including devices, applications, and data. In other words, it focuses on the Mobile Device Management and Mobile Application Management services.

Significant Features of MS Intune

• Deploy Applications across Multiple Platforms – With centralized management capabilities, MS Intune allows the deployment of applications across multiple platforms and operating systems.
• Monitoring Capabilities – MS Intune allows the tracking of deployment status and its monitoring for the resolution of errors.
• Remote Management – With the capabilities to manage and control the devices remotely, it's easier for IT administrators to deploy and update applications.

Steps to Deploy an EXE File using Microsoft Intune

4 Method & Tool 3: Deploying Application EXE Files with SCCM

SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager) is a suite developed by Microsoft that equips users to manage a large number of Windows-based devices. It includes the key capabilities of software deployment, patch management, and operating system deployment.

Significant Features of SCCM

• Centralized Platform – SCCM equips the IT administrators with the capability to deploy applications and patches to multiple devices from a centralized platform.
• Automated Deployments – You can automate the deployment process to reduce the manual work.
• Compliance – SCCM follows compliance and security protocols like encryption and authentication to make it abide by standards.

Steps to Deploy EXE Files using SCCM

The steps to deploy EXE files using SCCM are as follows:

5 Method & Tool 4: Deploying Application EXE Files with AirDroid Business

AirDroid Business is a popular enterprise-grade MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution which allows the business to enroll, manage, organize, and secure a large set of devices. Additionally, it comes equipped with features like remote access and management, kiosk mode, and such.

Significant Features of AirDroid Business

• Remote Access and Remote Management – AirDroid Business offers an extensive feature set of remotely accessing and managing the devices, making the deployment process across a large set of devices easier.
• Centralized Control – With a centralized dashboard, it is easier to manage and track the status of deployment across all the enrolled devices.
• Scheduling and Automation – AirDroid Business makes it easier to schedule and automate the application deployment across multiple devices.

Steps to Convert EXE to MSI using Advanced Installer

Steps to Deploy MSI/UWP Files using AirDroid Business

Once you have the file in either MSI or UWP format, follow the steps below to deploy it using AirDroid Business:

6 Advanced Deployment Techniques for Deploying Application EXE

When deploying EXE files, there are a few advanced techniques to make the process easier and more efficient. These include silent installations and using the SCCM along with the PSADT.

1 Deploy Application EXE Install Silent with Command-Line Switches

Silent Installation is the process of installing the application package automatically, without requiring the user to go through the install wizard commands. This helps speed up the process and reduces the manual effort.

To ensure that your EXE file is capable of silent installation, you can verify if it has the /s or /silent installation parameter in it.

Additionally, during the deployment, you can use the following command line prompt to initiate the silent installation process:

  

    copy
    Copied!
  
  

  Execute-Process -Path “setup.exe” Parameters “/Silent


  

2 Using SCCM with PSADT

Integrating SCCM with PSADT can help you gain better control over the complete deployment process. It helps in ensuring the prerequisites of deployment to the validations of post-deployments and logging. Some of the benefits of integrating both include:

• Maintain a consistent deployment process, whether the devices are on-premises or cloud-based.
• Access detailed logging for troubleshooting purposes.
• Enhanced user experience in terms of keeping the user updated about all the software changes happening on the device.

Steps to Deploy Files using SCCM and PSADT

To deploy files using the SCCM and PSADT, follow the steps below:

7 Best Practices for Deploying Application EXE

This section covers two significant best practices for deploying EXE files. These include testing and validation and monitoring and troubleshooting the deployments.

1 Testing and Validation Before Deployment

Before deploying the EXE files to the production environment, it is important to pre-test and validate the scripts. This stands significant because of the following reasons:

• Identify errors in the script before deployment to avoid escalated issues.
• Test the file compatibility with the required devices before it reaches the actual devices.
• Validate the required functionality working properly and ensure all the security measures.

The good news is that the tools discussed in the sections above support these pre-deployment testing. For example, with SCCM, you can create test collections to test the code before deployment. Similarly, with PSADT, you can build and enable the pre-installation checks.

2 Monitoring and Troubleshooting Deployments

Once you have deployed your files to the end systems, the work doesn’t end. Instead, it's crucial to monitor the environment after deployment. This helps identify the errors and issues within time, saving you from failures. The tools also allow you to automate this process by sending you alerts and generating logs of all the possible issues. Overall, it stands significant because of the following reasons:

• Monitor the deployment to ensure that it's successful and fulfils the required implementation.
• Identify and take proactive action against the issues faced by users early.
• Ensure that the deployment abides by the set security and compliance standards of the organization.

Similar to the pre-installation steps, the tools can help you with the post-installation tasks. For example, SCCM provides you with detailed reporting and monitoring functionalities of deployment status. Along with that, PSADT stores all the logs to help identify errors.

Bringing it all together, deploying EXE files across the ecosystem is a significant part of the organization’s operations. This article covered the details of EXE deployment, the methods and tools for it, and the best practices.