# Pre-Deployment and Post-Deployment Activities

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.

## Table of contents

1. [Pre-deployment activities](#pre-deployment-activities)
   - [Conditions](#conditions)
     - [Check Data on Registry Value](#check-data-on-registry-value)
     - [Check Data on Registry Key/Value](#check-data-on-registry-keyvalue)
     - [Check File/Folder](#check-filefolder)
     - [Check Free Disk Space](#check-free-disk-space)
     - [Check Software](#check-software)
   - [Configurations](#configurations)
     - [Create/Append Path](#createappend-path)
     - [Custom Script](#custom-script)
     - [Create/Delete Shortcut](#createdelete-shortcut)
     - [File Folder Operation](#file-folder-operation)
     - [Manage on-going Process](#manage-on-going-process)
     - [Registry Settings](#registry-settings)
     - [Services](#services)
     - [Uninstall Software](#uninstall-software)
     - [Set Environment Variable](#set-environment-variable)
2. [Post-deployment activities](#post-deployment-activities)
   - [Configurations](#configurations-1)
3. [Modifying the Pre and Post Deployment Activities](#modifying-the-pre-and-post-deployment-activities)
4. [Removing the Pre and Post Deployment Activities](#removing-the-pre-and-post-deployment-activities)

## 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

1. Drag and drop the **Check Data on Registry Value** condition under the **Pre-Deployment Activities** section.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Select the **Header Key**.
4. Provide the **Sub Key** and **Value Name**.
5. Select the **Data Type**.
6. Select the **Comparator** and provide the data to compare.
7. Select **Define Action** as **Proceed Installation** or **Skip Installation**.
8. Select **Save & Continue**.

#### Check Data on Registry Key/Value

1. Drag and drop the **Check Data on Registry Key/Value** condition under **Pre-Deployment Activities**.
2. Provide the Activity Name.
3. Select the **Header Key**.
4. Provide the **Value Name**.
5. Select **Define Action** as **Proceed Installation** or **Skip Installation**.
6. Select **Save & Continue**.

#### Check File/Folder

1. Drag and drop the **Check File/Folder** condition.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Choose File or Folder.
4. Provide the **File/Folder Path**.
5. Select **Define Action**.
6. Select **Save & Continue**.

#### Check Free Disk Space

1. Drag and drop the **Check Free Disk Space** condition.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Select the **Disk**.
4. Provide the **Minimum Space** in **MB**.
5. Installation/uninstallation proceeds only if the condition is met.
6. Select **Save & Continue**.

#### Check Software

1. Drag and drop the **Check Software** condition.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide the **Software Name** and conditions.
4. Provide the **Version** and conditions.
5. Select **Define Action**.
6. Select **Save & Continue**.

### Configurations

While deploying a software, you can apply certain configurations before installing or uninstalling the software.

#### Create/Append Path

1. Drag and drop **Create/Append Path**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide the path(s) separated by semicolons (;).
4. Optionally select **Proceed with the Installation/Uninstallation even if the above Configuration fails**.
5. Select **Save & Continue**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/setting_path.html

#### Custom Script

1. Drag and drop **Custom Script**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Choose **Repository** or **Command Line**.
4. Provide script details and arguments.
5. Upload **Dependency Files** if required.
6. Specify exit codes.
7. Optionally proceed even if configuration fails.
8. Select **Save & Continue**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/user_configuration/executing_custom_scripts.html

#### Create/Delete Shortcut

1. Drag and drop **Create/Delete Shortcut**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.

**For Shortcut Creation**

- Select **Create** → **Shortcut**.
- Provide **Shortcut Name**, **Target Application**, arguments, location, icon (.ico), and run options.

**For Internet Shortcut Creation**

- Select **Create** → **Internet Shortcut**.
- Provide **Shortcut Name**, **Target URL**, location, and icon.

**For Shortcut/Internet Deletion**

1. Choose the action type.
2. Select the **Shortcut Location**.
3. Optionally proceed even if configuration fails.
4. Select **Save & Continue**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/managing_shortcuts_for_computers.html

#### File Folder Operation

1. Drag and drop **Files Folder Operation**.
2. Provide the Activity Name.
3. Choose **Copy** or **Delete**.
4. Select appropriate action type (Files, Files as Archive, Delete File, Delete Folder, etc.).
5. Provide destination or source path.
6. Optionally proceed even if configuration fails.
7. Select **Save & Continue**.

> Kindly note that compressed zipped folders will be automatically uncompressed in the client machine.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/managing_windows_computer_files_folders.html

#### Manage on-going Process

1. Drag and drop **Manage on-going Process**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Choose **Kill process immediately** or **Wait until the process stops**.
4. Optionally proceed even if configuration fails.
5. Select **Save & Continue**.

> Applicable only for Pre-Deployment Activity.

#### Registry Settings

1. Drag and drop **Registry Settings**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Choose **Manually** or **Import**.
4. Select appropriate **Action** (Write/Delete Value, Add/Delete Key).
5. Provide registry details.
6. Optionally proceed even if configuration fails.
7. Select **Save & Continue**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/configuring_registry_settings.html

#### Services

1. Drag and drop **Services**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Select or add custom service.
4. Choose action (Start, Stop, Restart, etc.).
5. Select **Service Startup Type**.
6. Optionally proceed even if configuration fails.
7. Select **Save & Continue**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/configuring_windows_services.html

#### Uninstall Software

1. Drag and drop **Uninstall Software**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide **Software Name**, **Version**, **Uninstallation String**, and **Silent Switch**.
4. Use **Add More** for multiple software.
5. Optionally proceed even if configuration fails.
6. Select **Save & Continue**.

> Applicable only as a Pre-Deployment activity.

#### Set Environment Variable

1. Drag and drop **Set Environment Variable**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide **Variable** and **Value**.
4. Optionally proceed even if configuration fails.
5. Select **Save & Continue**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/setting_environment_variables.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.

### Configurations

#### Create/Append Path

1. Drag and drop **Create/Append Path**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide the path(s).
4. Optionally proceed even if it fails.
5. Select **Save & Continue**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/setting_path.html

#### Create/Delete Shortcut

Follow the same steps as in Pre-Deployment for creating or deleting shortcuts.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/managing_shortcuts_for_computers.html

#### Custom Script

1. Drag and drop **Custom Script**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Choose Repository or Command Line.
4. Provide script details.
5. Upload dependency files if needed.
6. Specify exit code.
7. Optionally proceed even if configuration fails.
8. Select **Save & Continue**.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/user_configuration/executing_custom_scripts.html

#### File Folder Operation

Same steps as Pre-Deployment File Folder Operation.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/managing_windows_computer_files_folders.html

#### Registry Settings

Same steps as Pre-Deployment Registry Settings.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/configuring_registry_settings.html

#### Services

Same steps as Pre-Deployment Services.

Learn more:  
https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/configuring_windows_services.html

#### Set Environment Variable

1. Drag and drop **Set Environment Variable**.
2. Provide the **Activity Name**.
3. Provide **Variable** and **Value**.
4. Optionally proceed even if configuration 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/products/desktop-central/help/computer_configuration/setting_environment_variables.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.