Deploying Adobe Reader…. Properly!

Unfortunately Adobe has not made it easy to deploy their Reader software. It poses a number of challenges:

1. Adobe only release MSI installers for major releases.
2. Adobe release MSP installers for minor releases.
3. MSP installers can not be deployed through a GPO.
4. Adobe Reader had an EULA and a user update prompt by default.

We can, however, get around this… hold on to your hats!

Step 1: Download the latest major release as an MSI, at present 10.10 (http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/888/cpsid_88814.html)

Step 2: We now need to create an Administrative Installation Point (AIP) to wok with the installer. To launch the AIP install open a command line and type the following:

c:\> msiexec /a [location of file]\AdbeRdr1010_US.msi

 You will be prompted to specify a location for the AIP, this is probably best done in the location you wish to deploy from.

Step 3: Download the latest minor, MSP, update – in our case version 10.1.2. Patch the AIP with the MSP by opening a command line and typing the following

c:\> msiexec /p [location of file]\AdbeRdrUpd1012.msp /a [location of AIP (step 2)]\AdbeRdr1010_US.msi

Step 4: Customise the AIP. Download the Adobe Reader Customization Wizard X (http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4950).

Point the wizard at your AIP and disable features that are unrequired – in most cases this will be EULA display and auto-update ability. Once finished save the changes to create an MST file.

Step 5: Deploy the update using a GPO making sure that you select Advanced when it prompts you for a deployment method; selecting the Modifications tab and adding your MST file from Step 4.

There is a more advanced way of applying your MST to your AIP MSI but as I thought this may lead to confusion I have purposely omitted this. Please contact me if you would like to find out my method!