# Install Agents Using GPO Scheduler

**Last Updated On**: 10 Jul 2026  
**2 minutes read**

Agents can now be installed in an Active Directory environment using the scheduler option. When the installation process is initiated with the Scheduler, it is triggered at the time specified during configuration, unlike a normal GPO script where the installation happens when a device is turned on or when a user logs in. The [Windows GPO Tool](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/agent-installation-using-gpo-lightweight-tool.html) can be used to install agents via scheduler.

> **Note**  
> If a new GPO policy is applied, the installation for existing installed agents will be skipped on all machines. The remaining agents will be installed according to the new policy.

## Advantages

- Automatically installs the agent more quickly, as it executes during the next GPO refresh cycle, unlike GPO Startup which requires computer restart.

## Disadvantages

- Complex to configure via traditional GPO editor.

> **Note**  
> **For Endpoint Central version 10.1.2124.1 and above, it is recommended to use exe based agent installation.**

## Steps

### How to install agent in EXE format via GPO Scheduler

1. Download the agent package:
   - Open the server web console.
   - Navigate to **Agent -> Computers**.
   - Select the required remote office.
   - Click the **Download Agent** button.
   - Rename the file to **LocalOffice_Agent.exe**.
2. [Download the script](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/scripts/InstallAgentgposched.ps1) and place it in a folder.
3. Open the AD machine to configure GPO.
4. GPO configuration – Creating/Provisioning Network Share.
5. Log on to the Windows Server machine as an administrator.
6. Open the Server Manager Console from the Administrative Tools menu.
7. From the Server Manager Dashboard, select **File and storage devices**.
8. Open the **Shares** tab, select **SYSVOL**, and click **Open Share**.

![Server Manager Console with the SYSVOL share opened](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/gposched2.webp)

9. Navigate to the scripts folder and create a new folder.
10. Paste the **InstallAgentgposched.ps1** and **LocalOffice_Agent.exe** files into the created folder.
11. Copy the network path. Network file path format:

   ```
   \\Domain name\SysVol\Domain name\Policies\{ID}\Machine\Scripts\Startup
   ```

![Script and agent EXE placed in the newly created folder inside scripts](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/gposched3.webp)

> **Note**
> - Test it on a few test machines before mass deployment.
> - Execute the command **gpupdate /force** on the client machine with admin privileges to trigger the GPO task.
> - The task result can be viewed in the Task Scheduler tool on the client machine.
> - If the scheduled task fails, remove the computer name from the network path.  
>   For example, if the network path copied earlier is  
>   `\\DCNAME.zoho.com\SYSVOL\zoho.com\scripts\agent_reinstallation\psinstallagent.ps1`,  
>   remove the computer name and change it to:  
>   `\\zoho.com\SYSVOL\zoho.com\scripts\agent_reinstallation\psinstallagent.ps1` and check again.

### Troubleshooting steps

If the issue persists, reach out to support with the following files:

- **GPO result from the client machine**
  - Open Command Prompt in administrator mode.
  - Navigate to `C:\` and run:
    ```
    gpresult /h gprep.html
    ```
  - Upload the `gprep.html` file from `C:\` on the client machine.
- **Event Logs**
  - Export and upload Application and System logs from Event Viewer.

### How to install agent via MSI format in GPO Scheduler

- To download the agent package, navigate to the server web console -> **Agent -> Deployment -> Agent Installation**.
- Under **Using Directory Services**, in the **GPO** tab, click **Download Agent**.
- Select the required office.
- Download the **Zip** file, extract it, and follow the steps below.

> **Note**  
> This can be a local office or a remote office depending on which computers you want to install agents in.

### Creating/Provisioning Network Share

![Creating a New Share from the Shares tab in Server Manager](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/shares-gpo.webp)

![Entering the shared folder file path on the Share Location tab](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/share-location-gpo.webp)

![Accepting the default Other Settings while configuring share settings](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/other-settings-gpo.webp)

![Agent installer files placed in the share, showing the full network path](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/agent-path.webp)

![Creating and linking a new GPO in the Group Policy Management Console](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/creating-gpo.webp)

![Creating a new Immediate Task under Scheduled Tasks in the Group Policy editor](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/new-task-gpo.webp)

![Configuring the Start a program action with the network file path in the New Action dialog](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/actions-gpo.webp)