Application Deployment Through Group Policy

[InTheWayBoy]

I have a quick question...or at least I think it will be quick.

I want to install things like Adobe Acrobat, Java, and .Net Framework using Group Policy. I've always been using RyanVM's wonderful switchless installers. Now, to deploy via Group Policy the install source needs to be MSI. I've unzipped the installers and found that all of them are basically an MSI installer along with a bunch of files in various directories. From the extracted directory I've ran the MSI installer and it installs fine.

So my question is this:

Will I run into any problems deploying a package when it has most of the files outside of the MSI installer?

All the installs I've done so far have been with programs that have all the necessary files inside the MSI installer, so it's just a single file. I'm a little concerned that having the source files outside of the MSI installer that I might run into path issues or something?

I don't have the time to test this out until the weekend, so I was hoping to get some feedback from any of you all before I tackle that. And just to be safe, here's a screenshot of the files:

Thanx in advance!

[chilifrei64]

Standard across all the networks that I manage.. I deploy via group policy

MSI + Multiple files

Adobe Acrobat (5 thru 7)

Symantec AntiVirus (7 thru 10)

JRE (1.3 thru JRE2)

Non-Standard(pay for apps)

Adobe Acrobat (5 thru 6)

Microsoft Office 2000 - 2003

Various other MS Apps (frontpage, Visio, MapPoint)

AutoCad 2006 Electrical

The list goes on and on.. I guess my point it.. you shouldnt run into any problems. I do this all the time and yet to run into a problem that concerns multiple files in the installation

I have seen your post and you seem to know what you are doing but I will say it anyways..

Make your share off your server with read only access to everyone. Use a different directory for each package. I also say use a different Group Policy for each Major Installation package (I combine adobe reader, flash, Jre and Symantec in my workstation Group Policies only because those are standard that I want every computer to have.)

Here is a REALLY good reference where I get most of my ideas for Group Policy installation of different software

http://appdeploy.com/packages/browse.asp?cat=all

MSI + no other files

Flash 6 - 8

[InTheWayBoy]

Good deal...looks like I'll have some more time to waste converting installs now. Thanx again!