# 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 for the software installation to happen smoothly. 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. Follow the below Configurations that can be applied before installing or uninstalling a 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 **Proceed with the Installation even if the above Configuration fails** option in case of installation. In case of uninstallation, check the **Proceed with the Uninstallation even if the above Configuration fails** 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/desktop-management-msp/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 based on your requirement. 1. Drag and drop the **Custom Script** 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. If the script that you require to run before the software installation or uninstallation is stored in the Script Repository, then select the **Execute Script from/ Run** option as **Repository** and select the Script Name from the list of scripts stored in the Script Repository and specify the **Script Arguments**. 4. If the script can be given as a command, then select the **Execute Script from/ Run** option as **Command Line** and specify the command in the **Command Line Field**. 5. If any dependency files are required for the custom script, upload them in the **Dependency Files** field using the **Browse** option. 6. Specify the exit code(s) for the script. 7. If you wish to proceed with the Installation or Uninstallation even if the configuration fails, check the appropriate proceed option. 8. Select **Save & Continue** to configure the Custom Script configuration. To learn more about the Custom Script configuration, 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 shortcuts before you are installing or uninstalling a software or set of 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 the Action as **Shortcut**. - Provide the **Shortcut Name**. - Provide the **Target Application**. - Provide **Arguments** if any. - Select the **Shortcut Location**. - Provide the **Start In Folder**. - Specify **Shortcut Comments** if any. - Upload the icon in **.ico** format. - Choose the **Run Window** option. - Select **Run as admin** if required. **For Internet Shortcut Creation** - Choose **Select Action** as **Create**. - Choose **Internet Shortcut**. - Provide the **Shortcut Name**. - Provide the **Target URL**. - Choose the **Shortcut Location**. - Upload the icon in **.ico** format. **For Shortcut/Internet Deletion** 1. Choose the appropriate **Action**. 2. Select the **Shortcut Location**. 3. If required, enable the proceed option even if configuration fails. 4. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more about creating Shortcut configuration, 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 to configure files and folders that need to be added or removed before the software gets installed or uninstalled on the target computers: 1. Drag and drop the **Files Folder Operation** configuration under the **Pre-Deployment Activities**. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. To copy files or folders, choose **Copy** in the **Select Action** field. 4. For single files, choose **Files**. For a zipped folder, choose **Files as Archive**. **Note:** The compressed zipped folder will be automatically uncompressed in the client machine. 5. Provide the **Destination Folder** path. 6. To delete files or folders, choose **Delete**. 7. Choose the appropriate delete action type. 8. Provide the **Source File** path. 9. Enable the proceed option if required. 10. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more about the File Folder Operations configuration, refer to this link: https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/managing_windows_computer_files_folders.html #### **Manage on-going Process** In case you are trying to deploy the latest version of the software and uninstall 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 the **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 the proceed option if required. 5. Select **Save & Continue**. **Note:** The 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 a software: 1. Drag and drop the **Registry Settings** configuration under the Pre-Deployment Activities. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. Choose **Manually** or **Import** in the **Registry Configuration** field. 4. Select the appropriate **Action** (Write Value, Delete Value, Add Key, Delete Key). 5. Choose the **Header Key**. 6. Provide the **Sub-Key**. 7. Choose the **Data Type**. 8. Provide the **Value Name** and **Value Data**. 9. Upload the registry file if using **Import**. 10. Enable the proceed option if required. 11. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more about the Registry Settings configuration, refer to this link: https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/configuring_registry_settings-computer.html #### **Services** Before installing or uninstalling a software, you can configure services. 1. Drag and drop the **Services** configuration under the Pre-Deployment Activities. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. Select the **Display Name**. 4. Optionally add a custom service. 5. Choose the **Action** (Start, Stop, Restart, or no modification). 6. Choose the **Service Startup Type**. 7. Enable the proceed option if required. 8. Select **Save & Continue**. To learn more about configuring Windows Services, refer to this link: https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/configuring_windows_services-computer.html #### **Uninstall Software** Use this configuration to uninstall older versions or other software before deployment. 1. Drag and drop the **Uninstall Software** configuration under the Pre-Deployment Activities. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. Provide the **Software Name**. 4. Provide the **Software Version**. 5. Provide the **Uninstallation String**. 6. Provide the **Silent Switch**. 7. Click **Add More** to add multiple software entries. 8. Enable the proceed option if required. 9. Select **Save & Continue**. **Note:** The Uninstall Software Configuration is applicable only as a Pre-Deployment activity. #### **Set Environment Variable** Follow the below steps to set the environment variables: 1. Drag and drop the **Set Environment Variable** configuration under the Pre-Deployment Activities. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. Provide the **Variable**. 4. Provide the **Value**. 5. Enable the proceed option if required. 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. 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 the **Create/Append Path** configuration under the Post-Deployment Activities. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. Provide the path in the **Specify the path which needs to be suffixed** field. 4. If required, check **Proceed with the next task even if the above 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 #### **Create/Delete Shortcut** Follow similar steps as in Pre-Deployment to create or delete shortcuts under **Post-Deployment Activities**. To learn more, refer to this link: https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/managing_shortcuts_for_computers.html #### **Custom Script** 1. Drag and drop the **Custom Script** configuration under the Post-Deployment Activities. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. Choose **Repository** or **Command Line**. 4. Provide required details and dependency files. 5. Specify exit codes. 6. Enable proceed option if required. 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 #### **File Folder Operation** Configure file and folder operations under Post-Deployment Activities similar to Pre-Deployment. **Note:** The compressed zipped folder will be automatically uncompressed in the client machine. To learn more, refer to this link: https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/managing_windows_computer_files_folders.html #### **Registry Settings** Follow similar steps as Pre-Deployment under Post-Deployment Activities. To learn more, refer to this link: https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuration-management/configuring_registry_settings-computer.html #### **Services** Configure services under Post-Deployment Activities. To learn more, refer to this link: 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 the Post-Deployment Activities. 2. Provide the **Activity Name**. 3. Provide the **Variable** and **Value**. 4. Enable proceed option if required. 5. Select **Save & Continue**. **Note:** To execute the Condition/Configuration in order, reorder the configuration or condition in the Summary view of the Pre and Post Deployment Activity. To learn more, refer to this link: 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.