To add software installation packages to user settings, you can either publish or assign them. Published packages are available for installation by users in the selected site, domain, or organizational unit by using either Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel or file activation. Users in the selected site, domain, or organizational unit receive assigned packages the next time they log on (for assignment to users) or when the computer restarts (for assignment to computers).

To set Group Policy Software Installation defaults

  1. Open Group Policy Software Installation. (In the console tree, right-click Software installation.)

  2. Click Properties, and on the General tab specify the following options:

    • In Default package location, specify the default software distribution point.

    • In New packages, specify how to add new packages to user settings. By default, packages can either be published or assigned. (To computers, they can only be assigned). If you want to select these options for each package, click Display the Deploy Software dialog box. For even more control on a per-package basis, click Advanced.

    • In Installation user interface options, click Basic or Maximum, depending on how apparent you want the installation process to be to users.

Additional considerations

  • To complete this procedure, you must have Edit setting permission to edit a GPO. By default, members of the Domain Administrators security group, the Enterprise Administrators security group, or the Group Policy Creator Owners security group have Edit setting permission to edit a GPO.

  • Set Options for Group Policy Software Installation
  • Specify Automatic Installation Options Based on File Name Extension