# Agent Installation

Installing agents is the first step to manage servers and computers. Agents can be installed manually or automatically. Installing agents manually on all the computers should be a tiring task, so you can automate the entire agent installation process in bulk. The different methods with which you can perform the agent installation is explained below.

## Installing the Distribution Server

You can install the Distribution Server by following the steps mentioned below:

1. Log in to the web console and navigate to the **Agent tab**.
2. Choose **Remote Offices** under Scope of Management on the left tab.
3. Select a Remote Office and click on Download Distribution Server under **Download Agent**. This should be done on the computer, where the Distribution Server needs to be installed.

[![Download Distribution Server](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/clouddsinstall.png)](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/clouddsinstall.png)

4. Follow the installation instructions and the Distribution Server will be downloaded.

## Installing the Distribution Server and Agents

1. Log in to the web console and navigate to the **Agent tab**.
2. Choose **Agent installation** under Scope of Management on the left tab.
3. Navigate to **Other methods** and choose the Download option under **Command Line tab**.

[![Agent Installation](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/othermethods.png)](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/othermethods.png)

4. From the downloaded zip file, extract these 3 files and paste them in a shared path, which is accessible by all the computers.  
   Files to be extracted:
   - i) UEMSAgent.msi (PatchManagerPlusAgent.msi for agent versions below **10.0.662**)  
   - ii) UEMSAgent.mst (PatchManagerPlusAgent.mst for agent versions below **10.0.662**)  
   - iii) DCAgentServerInfo.json  

5. From the extracted location, compress the following files using 7-zip:
   - a) UEMSAgent.msi (PatchManagerPlusAgent.msi for agent versions below **10.0.662**)  
   - b) UEMSAgent.mst (PatchManagerPlusAgent.mst for agent versions below **10.0.662**)  
   - c) DCAgentServerInfo.json  
   - d) Setup.bat  

6. Once the download/installation is completed, you can right-click `setup.bat` and run as administrator to execute it.

![ ](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/remote-office-3.png)

7. You will be prompted to choose the below-listed options on the command prompt:

   1. Install Distribution Server in the computer  
   2. Install Agent in this computer  
   3. Install Distribution Server in this computer and agents in multiple computers  
   4. Install Agents in multiple computers  

   You should add computer names or IP address in the `computernames.txt` file and keep them ready for agent installation.

   The admin$\Temp folder of the target machine must be reachable from the computer that we are trying to deploy the agent.

8. You can choose option 3.

[![command prompt](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/remote-office-2.png)](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/remote-office-2.png)

9. Providing the administrator credentials will invoke agent installations on all the target computers.

If you have already downloaded the Distribution Server, then at step 7 in the command prompt choose option 4.

10. The agents will be installed in the target computers, but in case you have enabled "Waiting for Approval" then, the further communication with the server occurs only if these target computers are approved from the **Waiting for Approval** tab that is present at Agent -> Computers -> Waiting for Approval.

[![Waiting for approval](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/pmp-cloud-waiting-for-approval.png)](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/pmp-cloud-waiting-for-approval.png)

**Note:**

- a) The Waiting for Approval feature is provided to enhance security and prevent the misuse of the product without Admin's knowledge. At this stage the target computer in which the agent is installed can also be declined by the Admin, thereby preventing further communication with the server.
- b) If you Add Computers through the Managed Computers tab, and then install agents in these computers, the systems don't fall under the 'Waiting for Approval' tab.
- Read [this document](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/how-to/waiting-for-approval.html) to know more on "Waiting for Approval".

## Roaming Agent Installation

You can install the Roaming Agents by following the steps mentioned below:

1. Log into web console and navigate to **Agent tab**.
2. Choose **Remote Offices** under Scope of Management on the left tab.
3. Select a **Roaming agent** and click Download WAN Agent under Download Agent.

For roaming agents, only the Download WAN agent option will be available.

4. Follow the on-screen installation instructions to complete the installation.
5. The agents will be installed in the target computers, but in case you have enabled "Waiting for Approval" further communication with the server occurs only if these target computers are approved from the **Waiting for Approval** tab that is present at Agent -> Computers -> Waiting for Approval.

[![Waiting for approval](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/pmp-cloud-waiting-for-approval.png)](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/pmp-cloud-waiting-for-approval.png)

**Note:**

- a) The Waiting for Approval feature is provided to enhance security and prevent the misuse of the product without Admin's knowledge. At this stage the target computer in which the agent is installed can also be declined by the Admin, thereby preventing further communication with the server.
- b) If you Add Computers through the Managed Computers tab, and then install agents in these computers, the systems don't fall under the 'Waiting for Approval' tab.
- Read [this document](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/how-to/waiting-for-approval.html) to know more on "Waiting for Approval".

Now you've successfully installed roaming agents on your target computers.

## Agent Installation using GPO script

1. Download the Agent **Zip** file, extract it, and follow the steps given below:
   - a) Click the Admin tab.
   - b) In the **Som Settings** section, click **Scope of Management.**
   - c) Click **Download Agent**.
   - d) Select the required office.  
     **Note:** This can be a local office or a remote office depending on which computers you want to install agents in.

2. Save the `.msi`, `.mst` & `DCAgentServerInfo.json` file in the network share that you've created.
3. Click **Start > Run**.
4. Enter `gpmc.msc`.
5. Click **OK**.
6. Right-click the domain and select Create and Link a GPO here.
7. Specify a name for the GPO.
8. Select the GPO.
9. If you want to install the agent on only a few client computers, follow the steps given below. To install the agent in all your client computers skip these steps.
   - a) Click the **Scope** tab.
   - b) In the **Security Filtering** section, click **Add**.
   - c) In the **Select User, Computer, or Group** dialog box, click **Object Types**.
   - d) Specify specific computer object types.
   - e) Click **OK**.
   - f) Specify the computer names.
   - g) Click **Check Names**.
   - h) Click **OK**.

10. Right-click the GPO and click Edit.
11. Expand **Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Scripts**.
12. Right-click **Startup** and click **Properties**.
13. Click **Show Files.**
14. Drag and drop the [InstallAgent.vbs](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/installAgentC.vbs) (download the .txt file and rename it as .vbs) **UEMSAgent.msi UEMSAgent.mst DCAgentServerInfo.json** to this location and copy the location (Domain name\Sys Vol\Domain name\Policies\{ID}\Machine\Scripts\Startup) and close.
15. In the **Startup Properties** dialog box, click **Add**.
16. Browse and navigate to the location (Domain name\Sys Vol\Domain name\Policies\{ID}\Machine\Scripts\Startup) and select the InstallAgent.vbs script or specify the path (copied location) and the script as mentioned below:  
   `(Domain name\Sys Vol\Domain name\Policies\{ID}\Machine\Scripts\Startup)\InstallAgent.vbs`.
17. Specify the script parameters as mentioned below: **UEMSAgent.msi UEMSAgent.mst**.
18. Click **OK** to close the **Add a Script** dialog box.
19. Click **OK** to close the **Startup Properties** dialog box.
20. Close the **Group Policy Object Editor**.
21. Close the **Group Policy Management** dialog box.
22. The agents will be installed in the target computers, but in case you have enabled "Waiting for Approval" then, the further communication with the server occurs only if these target computers are approved from the **Waiting for Approval** tab that is present at Agent -> Computers -> Waiting for Approval.

[![Waiting for approval](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/pmp-cloud-waiting-for-approval.png)](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/pmp-cloud-waiting-for-approval.png)

**Note:**

- a) The Waiting for Approval feature is provided to enhance security and prevent the misuse of the product without Admin's knowledge.
- b) If you Add Computers through the Managed Computers tab, and then install agents in these computers, the systems don't fall under the 'Waiting for Approval' tab.
- Read [this document](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/how-to/waiting-for-approval.html) to know more on "Waiting for Approval".
- For agent versions below 10.0.662, replace **UEMSAgent.msi** with **PatchManagerPlusAgent.msi** and **UEMSAgent.mst** with **PatchManagerPlusAgent.mst**.

You've now installed an agent in client computers using GPO.