Article: KB-MSIUPDATE

Module: WTXUpdatePac.msi

Build: 9.2 (And Later)

This article will guide the systems administrator through setting up the WordTricks Update Package to be distributed via Microsoft Active Directory (or Group Policy Objects).

The WordTricks MSI Update Package

The WordTricks Update Package is a Microsoft Installer (MSI) based update mechanism that allows systems administrators to update WordTricks on workstations that have restricted permissions.

How does it work?

The file "WTXUpdatePac.msi" is distributed to each client system via the normal WordTricks Internet Update service (iWTX) and placed in the ..\WordTricks\WTX_Updates folder. This MSI package contains all of the files and registry entries necessary to update WordTricks to the current version.

For workstations that are "locked down" so that users may not add or register programs, the normal WordTricks Update (WTX_Update.EXE) cannot update and register some critical components. Therefore, it is necessary to distribute these updates to the workstations via Active Directory, which allows for elevated privileges during the update process.

Be sure to read the Important Notes section at the end of this article.

Setting Up the WordTricks MSI Update Package

Open your Active Directory Administration Console

Select or create an Active Directory Organizational Unit to contain the WordTricks Updates
And Click the Properties Button

Click the "Group Policy" Tab and the "New" Button, Naming the Policy "WordTricks Update PAC " or something similar.

Then click the "Edit Button"

Set the WordTricks Directory Permissions

Edit the Policy and drill down to:
. > Computer Configuration
. . . > Windows Settings
. . . . . > Security Settings
. . . . . . . > File System

In the right window, Right-Mouse-Click and choose "Add File"

Select the "C:\Program Files\WordTricks" Folder (or other local folder if appropriate) and set Full Permissions for the Group (or Groups) using WordTricks and click OK.

Click OK on the next screen for "Default Propagation"

Creating the Software Installation

In the Explorer Window, Drill Down to:
. > Computer Configuration
. . . > Software Settings
. . . . . > Software Installation

In the right window, Right-Mouse-Click and choose "New > Package"

Browse to your [WordTricks Network Folder]\WTX_Updates and select the MSI file:

"WTXUpdatePac.msi" and click Open

Select "Assigned" and click OK

Exit From the Group Policy Editor

Important Notes

Periodic Updates

The "WTXUpdatePac.msi" file is periodically updated via the iWTX service. However, it is not updated with every WordTricks update release. Only when when significant programming changes make it necessary (for example WordTricks revision 9.2 to revision 9.3) is the Update Pack revised.

When the "WTXUpdatePac.msi" is updated, you will receive a special notification that requests that Active Directory be updated and the Update Pack be redeployed.

Propagation Delay

Policies distributed through AD or a GPO are generally distributed to workstations at logon or reboot. But the policy is not usually implemented until the second logon or reboot.

Deploying by placing workstations in an OU (Organizational Unit) causes the deployment to occur with the workstation's reboot. This is the recommended method.

Deploying by placing users in an OU (Organizational Unit) causes the deployment to occur with the user's login. This is not the recommended method.

WARNING! - Removal of the WTXUpdatePac

The WTXUpdatePac installs and registers all of the core WordTricks and ListTricks components.

Therefore, when removing the WTXUpdatePac for updated deployment (or any other reason), it must be removed with the "Allow Continue" option if WordTricks is to remain installed on the workstation.

To do otherwise will remove the WordTricks application!

Re-Deployment

The most common reason to "Re-Deploy" the WTXUpdatePac is to push new updates to the workstations.

But even though the the installation may reference the WTXUpdatePac that has been updated in the ..\WTX_Updates\ folder, the Group Policy "re-deploy" action does not accomplish this. It simply re-deploys a cached copy of the original.

The installation must be removed (with the "Allow Continue" option) and re-installed. It is recommended that both actions be done in the same session. This way the propagation of the un-install portion will occur at the same time as the new installation, insuring that the user's functionality will be uninterrupted.