# 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. 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** as **Proceed Installation** or **Skip Installation** based on the Registry Value conditional checks set.
8. Select **Save & Continue**.

#### 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.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Select the **Header Key**.
4. Provide the **Value Name** that needs to be checked.
5. Select **Define Action** as **Proceed Installation** or **Skip Installation**.
6. Select **Save & Continue**.

#### Check File/Folder

Follow the below steps to check for the presence of the File or Folder required for the software installation or uninstallation:

1. Drag and drop the **Check File/Folder** condition under the **Pre-Deployment Activities**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. In **Select File/Folder**, choose File or Folder.
4. Provide the **File/Folder Path**.
5. Select **Define Action** as **Proceed Installation** or **Skip Installation**.
6. Select **Save & Continue**.

#### Check Free Disk Space

Follow the below steps to check for the free disk space required before the software is installed:

1. Drag and drop the **Check Free Disk Space** condition under the **Pre-Deployment Activities**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Select the target **Disk**.
4. Provide the **Minimum Space** required in **MB**.
5. The installation/uninstallation proceeds automatically once the condition is met; otherwise, it is skipped.
6. Select **Save & Continue**.

#### Check Software

Follow the below steps to check if the software is already present:

1. Drag and drop the **Check Software** condition under the **Pre-Deployment Activities**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide the **Software Name** and specify the conditional checks.
4. Provide the **Version** and specify the conditional checks.
5. Select **Define Action** as **Proceed Installation** or **Skip Installation**.
6. Select **Save & Continue**.

### 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:

1. Drag and drop the **Create/Append Path** configuration under the **Pre-Deployment Activities**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide the path in the **Specify the path which needs to be suffixed** field. Separate multiple paths with a semicolon (;).
4. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the Installation/Uninstallation even if the above Configuration fails**.
5. Select **Save & Continue**.

To learn more, refer to this link:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/windows-10-install-error.html

#### Custom Script

Follow the below steps to run a script before installation or uninstallation:

1. Drag and drop the **Custom Script** configuration under the **Pre-Deployment Activities**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Select **Repository** to run a script from the Script Repository and specify **Script Arguments**, or choose **Command Line** and provide the command.
4. Upload any required **Dependency Files**.
5. Specify the exit code(s).
6. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the Installation/Uninstallation even if the above Configuration fails**.
7. Select **Save & Continue**.

To learn more, refer to this link:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/executing_custom_scripts_for_computer-mac.html

#### Create/Delete Shortcut

Follow the below steps to create or delete shortcuts.

**For Shortcut Creation**

- Choose **Select Action** as **Create**.
- Choose **Action** as **Shortcut**.
- Provide **Shortcut Name**.
- Provide **Target Application**.
- Provide **Arguments** (if any).
- Select **Shortcut Location**.
- Provide **Start In Folder** (if required).
- Specify **Shortcut Comments**.
- Upload **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**.

**For Shortcut/Internet Deletion**

1. Choose **Select Action**.
2. Choose **Action** as **Shortcut** or **Internet Shortcut**.
3. Select **Shortcut Location**.
4. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the Installation/Uninstallation even if the above Configuration fails**.
5. Select **Save & Continue**.

To learn more, refer to this link:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/managing_shortcuts_for_computers.html

#### File Folder Operation

Follow the steps below:

1. Drag and drop the **Files Folder Operation** configuration.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Choose **Copy** or **Delete** in **Select Action**.
4. For uploads, choose **Files** or **Files as Archive** (zipped folders are automatically uncompressed).
5. Provide **Destination Folder** (for copy).
6. For delete, choose appropriate **Select Action Type**.
7. Provide **Source File**.
8. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the Installation/Uninstallation even if the above Configuration fails**.
9. Select **Save & Continue**.

To learn more, refer to this link:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/managing_windows_computer_files_folders.html

#### Manage on-going Process

1. Drag and drop the **Manage on-going Process** configuration.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Select **Kill process immediately** or **Wait until the process stops**.
4. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the Installation/Uninstallation even if the above Configuration fails**.
5. Select **Save & Continue**.

**Note:** This configuration is applicable only for Pre-Deployment Activity.

#### Registry Settings

Follow the below steps:

1. Drag and drop the **Registry Settings** configuration.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Select **Manually** or **Import** under **Registry Configuration**.
4. Choose **Write Value**, **Delete Value**, **Add Key**, or **Delete Key**.
5. Select **Header Key** and provide **Sub-Key**.
6. Choose **Data Type**.
7. Provide **Value Name** and **Value Data**.
8. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the Installation/Uninstallation even if the above Configuration fails**.
9. Select **Save & Continue**.

To learn more, refer to this link:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/configuring_registry_settings-computer.html

#### Services

1. Drag and drop the **Services** configuration.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Select the **Display Name**.
4. (Optional) Add custom services.
5. Choose action: Start, Stop, Restart, or do not modify.
6. Choose **Service Startup Type**.
7. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the Installation/Uninstallation even if the above Configuration fails**.
8. Select **Save & Continue**.

To learn more, refer to this link:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/configuring_windows_services-computer.html

#### Uninstall Software

1. Drag and drop the **Uninstall Software** configuration.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide **Software Name** and **Software Version**.
4. Provide **Uninstallation String** and **Silent Switch**.
5. Use **Add More** to uninstall multiple software.
6. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the Installation/Uninstallation even if the above Configuration fails**.
7. Select **Save & Continue**.

**Note:** Applicable only as a Pre-Deployment activity.

#### Set Environment Variable

1. Drag and drop the **Set Environment Variable** configuration.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide the **Variable**.
4. Provide the **Value**.
5. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the Installation/Uninstallation even if the above Configuration fails**.
6. Select **Save & Continue**.

To learn more, refer to this link:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/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.

### Configurations

#### Create/Append Path

1. Drag and drop the **Create/Append Path** configuration under **Post-Deployment Activities**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide the path to be suffixed (separate multiple paths with a semicolon).
4. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the next task even if the above fails**.
5. Select **Save & Continue**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/windows-10-install-error.html

#### Create/Delete Shortcut

Follow similar steps as in Pre-Deployment under **Post-Deployment Activities**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/managing_shortcuts_for_computers.html

#### Custom Script

1. Drag and drop **Custom Script** under **Post-Deployment Activities**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Choose **Repository** or **Command Line**.
4. Upload **Dependency Files** if required.
5. Specify exit code.
6. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the next task even if the above fails**.
7. Select **Save & Continue**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/executing_custom_scripts_for_computer-mac.html

#### File Folder Operation

Follow similar steps as in Pre-Deployment under **Post-Deployment Activities**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/managing_windows_computer_files_folders.html

#### Registry Settings

Follow similar steps as in Pre-Deployment under **Post-Deployment Activities**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/configuring_registry_settings-computer.html

#### Services

Follow similar steps as in Pre-Deployment under **Post-Deployment Activities**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/configuring_windows_services-computer.html

#### Set Environment Variable

1. Drag and drop the **Set Environment Variable** configuration under **Post-Deployment Activities**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide the **Variable** and **Value**.
4. (Optional) Select **Proceed with the next task even if the above fails**.
5. Select **Save & Continue**.

**Note:** To execute the Condition/Configuration in order, reorder them in the Summary view of the Pre and Post Deployment Activity.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/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 **View Summary**.
3. Select the Condition or Configuration to modify.
4. Click **Save and Continue** after making changes.

#### 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 **View Summary**.
3. Click the **X icon** in the Actions column of the Condition or Configuration you want to remove.