Recipe 4.15. Remotely Redeploying a Microsoft Application Using Group Policy

Problem

You want to remotely redeploy a Microsoft application using Group Policy, for example, if the application has been upgraded.

Solution

Using a graphical user interface

1. Run the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in by choosing Start All Programs Administrative Tools, and then choose Active Directory Users and Computers.

2. In the console tree, right-click your domain, choose Properties, click the Group Policy tab, select the GPO you've created for installing the software, and click Edit.

3. Expand the Software Settings container that contains the software installation item that you used to deploy the package. Click the Software installation container that contains the package.

4. In the right pane of the Group Policy window, right-click the program, choose All Tasks, and click Redeploy application.

5. You'll see this message: "Redeploying this application will reinstall the application everywhere it is already installed. Do you want to continue?" Click Yes.

6. Quit the Group Policy snap-in, click OK, and then quit the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in. The application will be redeployed.

Discussion

Use this recipe when a Microsoft application has been upgraded and you want to upgrade it on user machines. Before redeploying, you'll have to update the distribution point with the upgraded software.

See Also

Recipe 4.14 for installing a Microsoft application using Group Policy; Recipe 4.16 for uninstalling a Microsoft application using Group Policy; and MS KB 314934, "Use Group Policy to Remotely Install Software in Windows 2000"