How to Package and Deploy Win32 Applications in Intune: A Step-by-Step Guide

Deploying traditional desktop applications (Win32 apps) to Windows devices using Microsoft Intune is an essential task for IT administrators. Whether you're managing updates or deploying new software, packaging Win32 applications can be a simple process once you understand the steps. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to package, upload, and deploy Win32 applications in Intune.

Why Use Intune for Win32 Application Deployment?

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service that provides mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM). One of the key features of Intune is its ability to manage and deploy Win32 applications, allowing administrators to distribute traditional desktop apps remotely and efficiently. It enables centralized control, reducing the complexity of managing software across multiple devices.

What You Need to Get Started

Before you can package and deploy Win32 apps using Intune, here are a few prerequisites:

1. Admin access to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager Admin Center.

2. The Microsoft Win32 Content Preparation Tool, which you can download from Microsoft's GitHub page.
   

Now, let's get into the detailed steps for packaging and deploying these applications.

Step 1: Prepare Your Application

Before you can upload an application into Intune, it needs to be "wrapped" into a format Intune can recognize.

1. Download the application you want to deploy from the vendor's site (e.g., an .EXE or .MSI installer).

2. Organize your files by creating three folders:

   • Applications: Where you’ll place the downloaded files.

   • Staging: A folder that will only contain the files needed for packaging.

   • Converted: Where the packaged .intunewin file will be saved.

3. Move the installer file to the Staging folder to prepare it for wrapping.
   

Step 2: Use the Win32 Content Preparation Tool

Now that your files are prepared, the next step is to use the Win32 Content Prep Tool to create a .intunewin file:

1. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator and navigate to the folder where the Win32 Content Prep Tool is saved.

2. Use the following command to package the application:

   IntuneWinAppUtil.exe -c <source_folder> -s <setup_file> -o <output_folder>

   Replace the placeholders with your actual folder paths. For example:

   IntuneWinAppUtil.exe -c "C:\Intune-Prep\Staging" -s "setup.exe" -o "C:\Intune-Prep\Converted"

3. The tool will generate a .intunewin file, which is now ready for deployment via Intune.
   

Step 3: Upload the Win32 App to Intune

Once your application is packaged, it’s time to upload it to Intune.

1. Log in to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager Admin Center.

2. Navigate to Apps > All Apps.

3. Click Add, then select Windows app (Win32) as the app type.

4. Under App package file, click Select file, and upload the .intunewin file you created in the previous step.

5. After the file is uploaded, click OK.
   

Step 4: Configure the Application in Intune

With the app uploaded, you'll need to configure its details:

1. App Information:

   • Name: Provide a descriptive name.

   • Description: Give users a brief overview of what the app does.

   • Publisher: The company or developer behind the app.

   • App version: Input the correct version number.

2. Program Installation Details:

   • Install command: Specify the command that installs the app, such as setup.exe /quiet or msiexec /i app.msi /quiet.

   • Uninstall command: For uninstalling the app, e.g., setup.exe /uninstall /quiet.

3. Ensure that Install behavior is set to System if the app is intended for all users on a device.
   

Step 5: Define Requirements and Detection Rules

Next, specify the system requirements and detection rules for the application:

1. System Requirements:

   • Select the Operating system architecture (32-bit, 64-bit, or both).

   • Set the Minimum operating system version, such as Windows 10 version 1607.

2. Detection Rules:

   • Set up detection rules to ensure that Intune can verify if the application is installed successfully.

   • Use a File detection or MSI product code to confirm the app installation.
     

Step 6: Assign the Application

Finally, assign the application to your users or devices:

1. In the Assignments section, choose the user groups or devices that will receive the application.

2. For apps that are automatically installed, turn off Toast notifications. For apps available through the Company Portal, ensure Toast notifications are turned on so users are notified when the app is available.
   

Step 7: Test the Deployment

Before rolling out the application organization-wide, it's crucial to test the deployment:

1. Deploy the app to a test group of devices or users to verify that it installs correctly.

2. Check the installation logs on the test devices for any errors or issues:

   C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\IntuneManagementExtension\Logs

3. Confirm that the uninstall command works properly.

4. Gather feedback from your users to ensure there are no issues with the installation or functionality of the app.
   

Conclusion

Deploying Win32 applications with Microsoft Intune can streamline the distribution and management of apps across your organization. By following the steps above, you’ll be able to effectively package, upload, and deploy Win32 apps with confidence.

Test thoroughly before scaling up deployment, and don’t forget to check logs and user feedback for any hiccups along the way. With Intune, you’re equipped with a powerful tool for managing apps across multiple devices and users, all from a centralized cloud-based platform.

Happy deploying!