This article will show you how to use GPO to assign LynxPDF to users or computers. GPO is a feature of the Microsoft Windows NT family of operating systems that is used to control the working environment of user accounts and computer accounts. It provides centralized management and configuration of operating systems, applications, and user settings in an Active Directory environment.

GPOs are created and configured in the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC). They can be used to control various aspects of computer and user settings, such as registry settings, file permissions, logon scripts, software installation, and more. GPO deployment simplifies the management and control of configurations in an enterprise environment by providing a centralized and automated method.

• Create a Distribution Point

• Create a Group Policy Object

• Assign a Package (Deploy)

• Redeploy a Package

• Remove a Package

• Troubleshooting

Create a Distribution Point

Follow these steps to create a distribution point on the publishing server:

1. Log on to the server as an administrator;

2. Create a shared network folder where you will place the Windows Installer package (.msi file) to be distributed;

3. Set sharing permissions to allow access to the distribution package;

4. Copy or install the package to the distribution point. For example, to distribute an .msi file, run an administrative installation (setup.exe /a) to copy the file to the distribution point.

Create a Group Policy Object

To create a Group Policy Object (GPO) for distributing software packages, follow these steps:

1. Start the "Active Directory Users and Computers" snap-in by clicking "Start," selecting "Administrative Tools," and then clicking "Active Directory Users and Computers";

2. In the console tree, right-click your domain and click "Properties";

3. Click the "Group Policy" tab and click "New";

4. Type a name for this new policy and press Enter;

5. Click "Properties" and then click the "Security" tab;

6. Clear the "Apply Group Policy" checkbox for security groups that you do not want this policy applied to;

7. Select the "Apply Group Policy" checkbox for the groups that you want this policy applied to;

8. When finished, click "OK."

Assign a Package (Deploy)

To assign a program to a computer or a user logged on to one of the workstations, follow these steps:

1. Start the "Active Directory Users and Computers" snap-in by clicking "Start," selecting "Administrative Tools," and then clicking "Active Directory Users and Computers";

2. In the console tree, right-click your domain and click "Properties";

3. Click the "Group Policy" tab, select the desired policy, and click "Edit";

4. Under "Computer Configuration," expand "Software Settings";

5. Right-click "Software Installation," select "New," and then click "Package";

6. In the "Open" dialog box, type the full Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path of the desired shared installer package. For example, \\.msi.

[Important] Do not use the "Browse" button to access the location information. Ensure that you use the UNC path of the shared installer package;

7. Click "Open";

8. Click "Assigned," and then click "OK." The package is listed in the right pane of the "Group Policy" window;

9. Close the "Group Policy" snap-in, click "OK," and then close the "Active Directory Users and Computers" snap-in;

10. When the client computer starts, the managed software package will be installed automatically.

Redeploy a Package

Sometimes you may want to redeploy a software package (for example, if you upgrade or change the package). To redeploy a package, follow these steps:

1. Start the "Active Directory Users and Computers" snap-in by clicking "Start", going to "Administrative Tools," and then clicking "Active Directory Users and Computers";

2. In the console tree, right-click your domain and click "Properties";

3. Click the "Group Policy" tab, click the Group Policy Object used to deploy the package, and click "Edit";

4. Expand the "Software Settings" container that contains the software installation item used to deploy the package;

5. Click the software installation container that contains the package;

6. In the right pane of the "Group Policy" window, right-click the program, select "All Tasks," and click "Redeploy application." 

You will receive the following message: "Redeploying this application will reinstall the application everywhere it is already installed. Do you want to continue?"

7. Click "Yes";

8. Exit the "Group Policy" snap-in, click "OK," and then close the "Active Directory Users and Computers" snap-in.

Remove a Package

To remove a package that has been published or assigned, follow these steps:

1. Start the "Active Directory Users and Computers" snap-in by clicking "Start," selecting "Administrative Tools," and then clicking "Active Directory Users and Computers";

2. In the console tree, right-click your domain and click "Properties";

3. Go to the "Group Policy" tab, click the Group Policy Object used to deploy the package, and click "Edit";

4. Expand the "Software Settings" container that contains the software installation item used to deploy the package;

5. Click the software installation container that contains the package;

6. In the right pane of the "Group Policy" window, right-click the program, select "All Tasks," and click "Remove";

7. Perform one of the following actions:
   -> Click "Immediately uninstall the software from users and computers," and then click "OK";
   -> Click "Allow users to continue to use the software but prevent new installations", and then click "OK"

8. Close the "Group Policy" snap-in, click "OK", and then close the "Active Directory Users and Computers" snap-in.

Troubleshooting

LynxPDF does not troubleshoot deployments via GPO. If you encounter issues while deploying LynxPDF via Microsoft Windows GPO, please contact your superior or Microsoft directly.

Click here for Microsoft's reference.