Selecting a method for recording & deployment

Silent

Q: When should I use the Silent installation method?

A: Most modern installation packages support the silent installation mode. In this mode programs install without user interaction: all processes perform automatically.
This mode is enabled (in most cases) by adding parameters to the command line of the executable. Setting a few parameters may be required to achieve the desired result.
Silent Installation is the most preferable method to use.

Q: In which cases is it not possible to use the Silent method to create deployment packages?

A: Most modern installation packages support the silent installation mode, yet there are exceptions:

  • Online downloaders may have parameters that allow the downloader to operate without user intervention, but at the same time the downloadable installation package is either run without any options or the downloader’s parameters are not compatible with it;
  • Self-extracting archives may have parameters that allow the downloader to extract the contents without user intervention, but at the same time they may not be designed to make the installation package run with the required parameters;
  • Installation packages where silent installation is either not supported or intentionally disabled during package creation.

Q: Could TSD incorrectly determine the type of the installer, or, when TSD does determine the type correctly, could the silent installation keys still fail to be compatible (installation requiring user interaction)?

A: Yes, it is possible. In order to verify that the type of the installer has been determined correctly, you must use the Test run (local) option. If the installer requires user interaction to install a program, then the specified parameter package is not compatible with the installer.

Q: What should I do if TSD could not determine the type of the installer automatically, but I know either the type of the installer or which parameter to use for the silent installation?

A: In the former case, you can manually select the type of installer from the list, and then TSD will provide the necessary parameters for the silent installation. In the latter case, input the silent installation parameters manually. In any case, we recommend you use a Test run (local) to ensure successful deployment.

Q: What if I don’t have the silent installation parameters for certain software, and the default ones suggested by TSD are not working?

We recommend contacting the software developer or publisher. When this is not an option, try searching for the parameters needed for silent (or unattended) installation on the Internet or contact us for help. For example, you can find the official list of MSI property parameters here.
If the developer has not supplied the silent installation parameters, try using the other deployment methods.

Q: Can I create a deployment package if my installer installs silently without any parameters?

A: Yes, you can. In this case, you should use the Use empty command line option. Then TSD will not add any parameters to the command line of the executable when deploying remotely.

Q: What should I do if I selected the type of the installer manually, and now I cannot recall what type was initially determined by TSD?

A: You can use the Redetermine the installer type button, then Set default command line for the silent install. The program will redetermine the installer type and offer you a minimal parameter string for silent installation.

Q: Why do you recommend not to execute the installation package from a batch file?

A: It’s not prohibited, but because of the difficulties in tracking the execution status of such a package, the information about the deployment process will often be wrong, and we cannot guarantee that this package will be deployed successfully.

Q: What should I do if I need to execute a few CMD commands before and after the installer?

A: Create a new deployment package with a batch file, add the installer, and if necessary, another batch file as Add-ons.For more information, see Add-ons.

Q: What should I do if I need to execute a few CMD commands before and after the installer, but the installer is multi-file?

A: Create two deployment packages: one with a batch file, and the other with the multi-file installer. If necessary, add a batch file to the 2nd package as an Add-on. Before deployment, add the 2 packages to the Software deployment list in the correct order in which they should be executed on the remote computer. For more information, see Add-ons.

Q: What should I do if I can’t use the Silent method to create a deployment package?

A: Try using other methods offered by TSD (Macro, System shot).

Macro

Q: When should I use the Macro method?

A: This method is suitable for most software with a standard installation wizard.

Q: In which cases is it not possible to use the Macro method?

A: Software vendors may develop their own installer, also using their own controls, which can imitate the look and behavior of a number of standard controls. The macro will not recognize the changes in such controls. Also, ads may be displayed in the installer. They may change over time and cause problems during deployment. TSD keeps track of the user’s interaction with such control elements and displays the following error message: “During the macro recording you have interacted with nonstandard control(s) which are not compatible with the Macro method”. In such a case, remote deployment will be impossible.

Q: What should I do if, after using the Macro method, TSD displays a message that interaction with non-standard control elements has occurred?

A: Try to create the deployment package again without interacting with such controls. If it’s not possible, try another method.

Q: When do I have to select the Macro method?

A: This method has no significant advantages over Silent and is only recommended for use when, for whatever reason, silent installation is impossible.

Q: What should I do if I can’t use the Macro method to create a deployment package?

A: You can always try using other methods offered by TSD.

System shot

Q: When can I use the System shot method?

A: This method is suitable for small software. We recommend using this method only if you’re an advanced user and when the other two methods cannot be used.

Q: In which cases is it not possible to use the System shot method?

A: You are strongly discouraged from using this method for the deployment of drivers, codecs, system utilities, and libraries.

Q: Is it possible that a package recorded using System shot and deployed remotely will not work?

A: Yes, it’s possible. Sometimes, if the target system architecture is different from the architecture of the system where the deployment package was created, conflicts may appear. This occurs due to some differences in the registry structure between x64 and x86 architectures.

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