Using Intune for Installations

[omushahwar]

Hi All, 

We have been running all of our software installs through intune and figured I would post incase anyone was looking to do so and may have any questions on it. I know I know its officially supported but it works great. 

For us we have found it works best to get the web downloads and unzip the folders and basically create a package the size of the unzip install. We then use power shell to move/copy the folder into the C:\Autodesk Location and run the install, here is an example of Desktop Connector: 

Powershell:
Copy-Item -Path "Autodesk\*" -Destination "C:\Autodesk\" -Recurse -force

taskkill /im DesktopConnector.Applications.Tray.exe /f

cmd.exe /c ""C:\Autodesk\Autodesk_Desktop_Connector_16_7_1_2164_Win_64bit\Setup.exe" -i install --silent"

In intune your installation line will look like:

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\DesktopConnector16712164install.ps1

Depending on the app, update, or add-in you are installing, the detection method that works best seems to be the registry key under uninstall keys.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

You can also usually find your uninstall command in this location to set in Intune. If you're installing the latest Desktop Connector, you'll need the specific key below:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{481EB775-4538-4EF3-9044-11E6CA88092E}

We have put out Full installs, all patches, and updates through this the key is understanding the quiet variable for each install type. Using the Company Portal App on Desktops lets users run installs as they need it and does not require an admins intervention.

  

[mcreisinger2]

How do you handle licensing?

[omushahwar]

Our users are all on user licensing so they just need to sign in. 

[ktaliaferro_wolf]

Can you give a more step by step process for getting revit and updates working through intune.

[celerinovalenciajr]

How long does it take for Revit to copy, install? It's a huge installer file. Do you create intune package out of the unzip installer folder?

[omushahwar]

Answer to this varies as it depends on a few items:

1. The users internet connection speed (download)

2. How you set it to install (if its a required install vs download) a required will download in the back ground and install as it can

3. All Revit versions being closed (New versions wont install if any revit is open)

Most of our revit packages are in the 10-13GB range we find it can take roughly an 45min to an 1 hour to download and install (download speeds from azure are extremely fast so it depends on users end), we have mentioned to users who are adding a non-required to do it at end of the day or when they go to lunch after they close revit (all apps are available in company portal for them to install as they need) 

Smaller apps like say Autocad or Civil3d (3gb package) could take maybe 15 -20 minutes total. 

Yes packages are made from the unzipped install folder.

[omushahwar]

Hey Sorry I just saw this. 

What specifically are you looking for? 

Updates are fairly easy as you dont need to upack them. So we package them with a simply powershell install script.

Copy-Item -Path "Autodesk\*" -Destination "C:\Autodesk\" -Recurse -force
cmd.exe /c "C:\Autodesk\Revit_2024_2_1.exe -q"

This works from pretty much all revit updates, we move the file to the C:\Autodesk Folder and run it from there. 
This is a simpified version as this one will run even with revit open which can kick your user off licensing and cause an issue until they restart it. We have a few detection scripts we have added to do a check for revit.exe running and then wait/pause for 60 minutes etc. 

So in the intune\input folder we have an autodesk folder we put the exe in and then this is the target install powershell. 

Very simplar for revit itself we put the unpackaged install folder in the same with a powershell script like below. 

Copy-Item -Path "Autodesk\*" -Destination "C:\Autodesk\" -Recurse -force

cmd.exe /c ""C:\Autodesk\Revit2024\Setup.exe" -q"

[Nick_Petrovich]

Hi There,

Had a question for you regarding Revit 2024 deployment. When I'm using the the Intune Prep tool - should I specify the setup.exe as the source file, or the powershell script?

I have tried using the setup.exe and although I get a .intunewin file from it, when I try to add this app in Intune, it just doesn't seem to allow me to proceed.

Appreciate your help.

Thanks

[omushahwar]

You use the powershell script as the source file. 

[omushahwar]

Your install command should look like this

[Nick_Petrovich]

Thanks for getting back to me. Still doesn't want to upload the file package to intune.

Would you mind sharing your powershell script for Revit 2024 install?

Thanks

[omushahwar]

How big is your file? If its over 8gb you need to ask microsoft to increase your package size to 30gb

[omushahwar]

The above two lines are my whole powershell script recopying them below:

Copy-Item -Path "Autodesk\*" -Destination "C:\Autodesk\" -Recurse -force

cmd.exe /c ""C:\Autodesk\Revit2024\Setup.exe" -q"

[Nick_Petrovich]

I think it's over 8GB but I've been able to upload over 10GB in the past so I don't think that's the issue.

It might have something to do with the file I'm using for Revit itself - this is what the folder/file looks like that I'm using.

As you can see I have my Powershell script in there and I've got the intunewin file too.

My script is:

Copy-Item -Path "Autodesk\*" -Destination "C:\Autodesk\" -Recurse -force

taskkill /im /f Revit.exe

cmd.exe /c ""C:\Autodesk\Revit2024\Setup.exe" -i install --silent"

Thanks

[omushahwar]

Not sure I understand your setup I always find it easier to do this.

Make an intune folder on your C Drive

Inside it make an input and output folder. Similar to the picture below (I have mine as Input Autodesk as I have another input folder for other installs)

In the input folder make the Autodesk folder and copy your unzipped installation into 

The powershell script should sit outside of the Autodesk folder

Output folder will be where the intunewin file goes.

Not sure why its inside your install folder. 

Also the main apps generally use the -q for quiet install not the -i --silent

Switch that to what I am showing in your script. 

I would also be hesitant on using the taskkill as you could kick out someone while they are working. 
For the App itself make sure you are running as system and not user.

[omushahwar]

Other thing is we dont customize the install we use the main web download and then customize later with other scripts it could be hanging on something you are adding too. 

[Jarrad_welshSPRUJ]

you do realise Microsoft already increased the package size limit in Intune to 30GB's?

Prepare a Win32 app to be uploaded to Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Windows application size is capped at 30 GB per app.

[omushahwar]

Yes they did back in Feb of 2024, however depending on your tenant some didnt have it applied correctly and had to request support adjust and fix it. 

So as a fall back to a reason why he couldnt up load a package file could be he is hitting the limit.