# Pre-Deployment and Post-Deployment Activities **Last Updated On**: 13 Jul 2026 **54 minutes read** While creating a Windows software package, you can configure certain activities to take place before and after the installation of the software; these are known as Pre Deployment and Post Deployment Activities. You can use these activities to ensure that the software installation is smooth and that the computers in which the software is being installed have all the prerequisites. ## Pre-Deployment Activities Pre-deployment activities are configured to perform specific actions before the software is installed on the target computers or user accounts. These pre-deployment activities are configured while creating a Windows software package. For example, checking disk space on the target computer or verifying whether the software being deployed is already installed. Using the Pre-deployment activity feature you can configure the below Conditions and Configurations. ### Conditions While deploying a software, you can set-up a conditional check before installing or uninstalling the software. Based on the result of the check, you can set the software to either proceed with installation/uninstallation or skip the installation/uninstallation. #### Check Data on Registry Value Follow the below steps to check for the Registry Value before proceeding or skipping your software installation or uninstallation: 1. Drag and drop the **Check Data on Registry Value** condition under the **Pre-Deployment Activities** section in the Installation or Uninstallation section in the package you are creating. 2. After clicking on it, provide the **Activity Name** based on your requirement. 3. Select the **Header Key** from the drop-down menu based on your requirement. 4. Provide the **Sub Key** and **Value Name** that you want to check on the target computer. 5. Select the **Data Type** from the drop-down menu based on your requirement. 6. Select the **Comparator** from the drop-down menu and provide the Data to be compared. 7. Select **Define Action** from the drop-down menu as **Proceed Installation** or **Skip Installation** based on the Registry Value conditional checks set. 8. Select **Save & Continue** to configure the Check Registry Value condition and proceed with configuring additional conditions that need to be configured based on your requirement. #### Check Data on Registry Key/Value Follow the below steps to check for the Registry Key Value before proceeding or skipping your software installation or uninstallation: 1. Drag and drop the **Check Data on Registry Key/Value** condition under the **Pre-Deployment Activities** in the Installation or Uninstallation section in the package you are creating. 2. After clicking on it, provide the Activity Name based on your requirement. 3. Select the **Header Key** from the drop-down menu. 4. Provide the **Value Name** that needs to be checked on the target computer. 5. Select **Define Action** from the drop-down menu as **Proceed Installation** or **Skip Installation** based on the Registry Key/Value conditional checks set. 6. Select **Save & Continue** to configure the Check Registry Key/Value condition and proceed with configuring additional conditions that need to be configured based on your requirement. #### Check File/Folder Follow the below steps to check for the presence of the File or Folder required for the software installation or uninstallation in the target computers before proceeding or skipping your software installation or uninstallation: 1. Drag and drop the **Check File/Folder** condition under the **Pre-Deployment Activities** in the Installation or Uninstallation section in the package you are creating. 2. After clicking on it, provide the **Activity Name** based on your requirement. 3. In the **Select File/Folder** field, choose File or Folder option to specify whether you want to check for the presence of the file or a folder on the target computer. 4. Provide the **File/Folder Path** that you want to check in the target computer. 5. Select **Define Action** from the drop-down menu as **Proceed Installation** or **Skip Installation** based on the conditional checks set. 6. Select **Save & Continue** to configure the Check File/Folder condition and proceed with configuring additional conditions that need to be configured based on your requirement. #### Check Free Disk Space Follow the below steps to check for the free disk space required before the software is installed on the target computers. Based on the free disk space check, you can either proceed or skip the software installation. Free Disk Space check is applicable only while creating an installation package. 1. Drag and drop the **Check Free Disk Space** condition under the **Pre-Deployment Activities** in the Installation or Uninstallation section in the package you are creating. 2. After clicking on it, provide the **Activity Name** based on your requirement. 3. In the **Disk** field select the target Disk for which you are checking the free space. 4. Provide the **Minimum Space** required for the software installation in **MB** format. 5. The software installation or uninstallation will automatically proceed once the free space condition is met. If the condition is not met, then the installation or uninstallation of software will be skipped. 6. Select **Save & Continue** to configure the Check Free Disk Space condition and proceed with configuring additional conditions that need to be configured based on your requirement. #### Check Software Follow the below steps to check if the software that you are deploying to the target computer is already there. Based on the software check, you can either proceed or skip the software installation or uninstallation. 1. Drag and drop the **Check Software** condition under the **Pre-Deployment Activities** in the Installation or Uninstallation section in the package you are creating. 2. After clicking on it, provide the **Activity Name** based on your requirement. 3. Provide the **Software Name** whose presence you want to check and specify the conditional checks from the drop-down menu. 4. Provide the **Version** of the software that you want to check and specify the conditional checks from the drop-down menu. 5. Select **Define Action** from the drop-down menu as **Proceed Installation** or **Skip Installation** based on the software check. 6. Select **Save & Continue** to configure the Check Software condition and proceed with configuring additional conditions that need to be configured based on your requirement. ### Configurations While deploying a software, you can apply certain Configurations before installing or uninstalling the software. #### Create/Append Path Follow the below steps to create or append the Path variable before installing or uninstalling the software. 1. Drag and drop the **Create/Append Path** configuration under the **Pre-Deployment Activities** in the Installation or Uninstallation section in the package you are creating. 2. After clicking on it, provide the **Activity Name** based on your requirement. 3. Provide the path that you want to create or append in the **Specify the path which needs to be suffixed** field. You can provide multiple paths by separating them with a semicolon (;). Click the Star icon to select and assign a dynamic variable to the Path variable. 4. If you wish to proceed with the Installation or Uninstallation even if the configuration fails, check the appropriate **Proceed** option. 5. Select **Save & Continue** to configure the Create/Append Path configuration and proceed with configuring additional configurations that need to be configured based on your requirement. To learn more about the Create/Append Path configuration, refer to this link: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/windows-10-install-error.html #### Custom Script Follow the below steps to configure the Custom Script configuration to run a script before the software installation or uninstallation: 1. Drag and drop the **Custom Script** configuration under the **Pre-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. To execute from repository, select **Execute Script from/Run** as **Repository**, choose the Script Name, and specify the **Script Arguments**. 4. To execute from command line, select **Execute Script from/Run** as **Command Line** and specify the command. 5. Upload dependency files if required using the **Browse** option. 6. Specify the exit code(s) for the script. 7. If required, enable the appropriate **Proceed** option. 8. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more about the Custom Script configuration, refer to this link: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/executing_custom_scripts_for_computer-mac.html #### Create/Delete Shortcut Follow the below steps to create shortcuts before installing or uninstalling software. 1. Drag and drop the **Create/Delete Shortcut** configuration under the **Pre-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. **For Shortcut Creation** - Choose **Select Action** as **Create**. - Choose **Action** as **Shortcut**. - Provide **Shortcut Name**. - Provide **Target Application**. - Provide **Arguments** if any. - Choose **Shortcut Location**. - Provide **Start In Folder** if required. - Specify **Shortcut Comments** if any. - Upload the **Icon File** (.ico format). - Choose **Run Window** option. - Select **Run as admin** if required. **For Internet Shortcut Creation** - Choose **Select Action** as **Create**. - Choose **Action** as **Internet Shortcut**. - Provide **Shortcut Name**. - Provide **Target URL**. - Choose **Shortcut Location**. - Upload **Icon File** (.ico format). **For Shortcut/Internet Deletion** 1. Choose **Select Action**. 2. Choose **Action** as **Shortcut** or **Internet Shortcut**. 3. Select **Shortcut Location**. 4. Enable appropriate **Proceed** option if required. 5. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more about creating Shortcut configuration, refer to this link: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/managing_shortcuts_for_computers.html #### File Folder Operation Follow the steps below to configure files and folders that need to be added or removed before the software gets installed or uninstalled: 1. Drag and drop the **Files Folder Operation** configuration under the **Pre-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide the Activity Name. 3. Choose **Copy** in **Select Action** if copying files/folders. 4. Choose **Files** for single files or **Files as Archive** for zipped folders. **Note:** The compressed zipped folder will be automatically uncompressed in the client machine. 5. Provide the **Destination Folder** path. 6. Choose **Delete** in **Select Action** if deleting. 7. Choose appropriate delete option: **Delete a File**, **Delete Multiple Files**, or **Delete a Folder**. 8. Provide the **Source File** path. 9. Enable appropriate **Proceed** option if required. 10. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more about File Folder Operations configuration, refer to this link: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/managing_windows_computer_files_folders.html #### Manage on-going Process In case you are deploying the latest version and uninstalling the older version, you can either kill the processes or wait until the process stops. 1. Drag and drop the **Manage on-going Process** configuration under **Pre-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. In the **Action** field, select **Kill process immediately** or **Wait until the process stops**. 4. Enable appropriate **Proceed** option if required. 5. Select **Save & Continue**. **Note:** Manage on-going Process configuration is applicable only for Pre-Deployment Activity. #### Registry Settings Follow the below steps to make changes in the Registry before installing or uninstalling software: 1. Drag and drop **Registry Settings** under **Pre-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. Choose **Manually** or **Import** in **Registry Configuration**. 4. Select appropriate **Action**: **Write Value**, **Delete Value**, **Add Key**, **Delete Key**. 5. Choose **Header Key**. 6. Provide **Sub-Key**. 7. Choose **Data Type**. 8. Provide **Value Name** and **Value Data**. 9. Upload registry file if using **Import**. 10. Enable appropriate **Proceed** option if required. 11. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more, refer to: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/configuring_registry_settings-computer.html #### Services Before installing or uninstalling software, you can start, stop, or restart services. 1. Drag and drop **Services** under **Pre-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. Type and select the **Display Name**. 4. Optionally use **Add Custom Service**. 5. Choose action: Do not modify, Start, Stop, Restart. 6. Choose **Service Startup Type**. 7. Enable appropriate **Proceed** option if required. 8. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more, refer to: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/configuring_windows_services-computer.html #### Uninstall Software Use this configuration to uninstall older or required software before installation. 1. Drag and drop **Uninstall Software** under **Pre-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide **Activity Name**. 3. Provide **Software Name**. 4. Provide **Software Version**. 5. Provide **Uninstallation String**. 6. Provide **Silent Switch**. 7. Use **Add More** to include multiple software. 8. Enable appropriate **Proceed** option if required. 9. Select **Save & Continue**. **Note:** Uninstall Software configuration is applicable only as a Pre-Deployment activity. #### Set Environment Variable Follow the below steps to set environment variables: 1. Drag and drop **Set Environment Variable** under **Pre-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide **Activity Name**. 3. Provide **Variable**. 4. Provide **Value**. 5. Enable appropriate **Proceed** option if required. 6. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more, refer to: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/windows-10-install-error.html ## Post-Deployment Activities Post-deployment activities are configured to perform specific actions after the software installation is completed. Examples include setting environment variables, creating or deleting shortcuts, or creating or appending a path related to the deployed software. Using the Post-deployment activity feature, you can configure the below Configurations. ### Configurations While deploying a software, you can apply certain Configurations after the software gets installed or uninstalled in the target computers. #### Create/Append Path 1. Drag and drop **Create/Append Path** under **Post-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide **Activity Name**. 3. Provide the path in the appropriate field (multiple paths separated by semicolon). 4. Enable **Proceed with the next task even if the above fails** if required. 5. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more, refer to: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/windows-10-install-error.html #### Create/Delete Shortcut 1. Drag and drop **Create/Delete Shortcut** under **Post-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide **Activity Name**. Follow the same steps described in the Pre-Deployment section for creating or deleting shortcuts. To learn more, refer to: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/managing_shortcuts_for_computers.html #### Custom Script 1. Drag and drop **Custom Script** under **Post-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide **Activity Name**. 3. Choose execution from **Repository** or **Command Line**. 4. Provide **Script Arguments** or command. 5. Upload **Dependency Files** if required. 6. Specify exit code. 7. Enable **Proceed with the next task even if the above fails** if required. 8. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more, refer to: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/executing_custom_scripts_for_computer-mac.html #### File Folder Operation 1. Drag and drop **Files Folder Operation** under **Post-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide **Activity Name**. 3. Choose **Copy** or **Delete**. 4. Choose appropriate selection type. **Note:** Zipped folders will be automatically uncompressed in the client machine. 5. Provide **Destination Folder** or **Source File**. 6. Enable **Proceed with the next task even if the above fails** if required. 7. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more, refer to: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/managing_windows_computer_files_folders.html #### Registry Settings 1. Drag and drop **Registry Settings** under **Post-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide **Activity Name**. 3. Configure manually or import registry file. 4. Choose appropriate action. 5. Enable **Proceed with the next task even if the above fails** if required. 6. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more, refer to: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/configuring_registry_settings-computer.html #### Services 1. Drag and drop **Services** under **Post-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide **Activity Name**. 3. Select or add custom service. 4. Choose action and startup type. 5. Enable **Proceed with the next task even if the above fails** if required. 6. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more, refer to: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/configuring_windows_services-computer.html #### Set Environment Variable 1. Drag and drop **Set Environment Variable** under **Post-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide **Activity Name**. 3. Provide **Variable** and **Value**. 4. Enable **Proceed with the next task even if the above fails** if required. 5. Select **Save & Continue**. **Note:** To execute the Condition/Configuration in order, you can reorder the configuration or the condition in the Summary view of the Pre and Post Deployment Activity. To learn more, refer to: https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/windows-10-install-error.html ## Modifying the Pre and Post Deployment Activities The configured Pre and Post Deployment Activities can be modified based on your requirement. 1. Navigate to the Pre or Post Deployment Activities section. 2. Click on **View Summary**. 3. Select the Condition or Configuration that you want to modify. 4. After making the required modification, click **Save and Continue**. ## Removing the Pre and Post Deployment Activities The configured Pre and Post Deployment Activities can be removed based on your requirement. 1. Navigate to the Pre or Post Deployment Activities section. 2. Click on **View Summary**. 3. Click on the **X icon** in the Actions column of the Condition or Configuration you want to remove.