How to Install .MSI Using PowerShell

PowerShell provides versatile capabilities to IT teams looking to streamline .MSI software deployments across their environments. This comprehensive guide explores advanced methods to securely install, customize and manage MSIs at scale using PowerShell scripts.

Core Concepts

We already covered the basics of executing simple MSI installs. Now let‘s dig deeper into enterprise deployment approaches.

Why Automate MSI Deploys with PowerShell?

Manually installing applications on hundreds of servers is tedious, risky and time-intensive. PowerShell automation unlocks benefits like:

• Scalability across large numbers of systems
• Consistency through standardized deployments
• Efficiency by reducing hands-on installs
• Compliance via detailed logging and access controls
• Cost savings from accelerated rollouts

For maximal ROI, utilize PowerShell‘s capabilities for resilient enterprise-grade application rollout.

Prerequisites for Robust MSI Deploys

Before diving into advanced functionality, verify these prerequisites:

• PowerShell 5.0+ on all systems
• Remoting enabled with PS sessions
• .NET 4.5+ runtime installed
• Admin rights to target servers
• Network connectivity to file shares

Check, double check, then automate with confidence!

Unleashing Remote MSI Installation

The full potential of PowerShell MSI deployment shines through remote execution at scale.

Configure Remoting Endpoints

Enable PS remoting on target servers by running:

Enable-PSRemoting -Force

Open port 5985 with:

New-NetFirewallRule -Name "Allow PS Remoting"

Consider using HTTPS for secure communications.

Perform Remote Deployment

Now deploy MSIs to remote servers in parallel with Invoke-Command:

$servers = "SERVER1", "SERVER2", "SERVER3"
Invoke-Command -ComputerName $servers -ScriptBlock {
    Start-Process -FilePath "\\SHARE\package.msi" -Wait
}

This divides installs across all available system resources forAccelerated, robust execution.

Manage Credentials and Access

Specify alternate credentials:

$cred = Get-Credential DOMAIN\deployuser
Invoke-Command -ComputerName $servers -Credential $cred -ScriptBlock {
    Start-Process -FilePath "\\SHARE\install.msi" -Wait
} 

And restrict access via session configurations or JEA tools.

Upgrading and Patching MSI Packages

You‘ll eventually need to upgrade or patch installed MSI applications.

Check Existing Versions

Before deploying MSI upgrades, check what‘s already installed with:

Get-WmiObject Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -match "AppName"}

You can then compare versions to determine upgrade necessity.

Apply MSI Patches and Hotfixes

Rather than full upgrades, patches allow minor package revisions like:

Start-Process -FilePath ".\HotfixKB9999.msp" -Args "/quiet"

Manage patch sequencing to avoid compatibility issues.

Test Upgrades in Staging

Stage significant upgrades first on non-production pilots. Monitor performance before full rollout.

This validates compatibility before impacting business systems.

Monitoring and Reporting

Comprehensive monitoring and logs enable proactive management.

Centralized SIEM Logging

Record deployment events via:

Start-Transcript -OutputDirectory "\\siemserver\logs"
# MSI Install Code
Stop-Transcript

Feed data into SIEM platforms like Splunk or ArcSight for alerts and historical analysis.

Dashboards for Status Tracking

Build Power BI or Grafana dashboards to showcase rollout metrics:

• Servers completed vs remaining
• Failed install troubleshooting
• Package version distribution

Easily visualize environment-wide progress at a glance.

Notifications for Failure Handling

Trigger emails or MS Teams messages automatically on critical deployment issues like:

If ($Process.ExitCode -ne 0) {
    Send-Notification @teamsMessageFailed
}

This speeds reaction time.

Validations and Security

Adding validation checks and security measures promotes resilience.

Always Confirm Signatures

Before running remote code:

Get-AuthenticodeSignature -FilePath ".\install.ps1"
If ($null -eq $signature) {Throw "Unsigned code"} 

This prevents execution of tampered or malicious scripts.

Input Validation

Check key inputs like server lists:

$serverList = Get-Content .\servers.txt

If ($serverList -NotMatch "^[A-Za-z0-9_ -]+$") {
  Throw "Invalid server list" 
}

And validate integers, booleans, tiles as appropriate with:

[int]::TryParse($count)

[bool]::TryParse($ProceedInstall)

[datetime]::TryParseExact($date, "MMddyyyy", $null)

Securing the Process

Finally restrict access:

Grant-Permission servers.txt -User "deployengine"
Revoke-Permission shares\logs -Inheritance -Verbose

While installing, then restoring permissions post-deployment.

This limits lateral exposure from compromised endpoints.

Expanding to Server-Specific Use Cases

While techniques so far apply broadly across Windows infrastructure, also consider specialization.

For example, utilize MSIs to deploy:

• IIS Sites and Application Pools
• SQL Server with Configured Instances
• Sysmon for Enhanced Security Monitoring
• Azure Workloads with ARM Templates

Evaluate your organization‘s unique needs, then tailor PowerShell automation to match.

Conclusion

MSI packages enable standardized application rollout across hundreds of systems in a modern Windows environments.

PowerShell unlocks scalable, resilient deployment methods ranging from basic install scrpts to:

• Remoting for parallel execution
• Patching without reinstallation
• Notifications and dashboards
• Advanced security controls

Following these in-depth best practices for securing, validating and monitoring MSI deployment results in:

• Improved efficiency and ROI
• Better version control
• Operational visibility
• And consistent, compliant configurations

So integrate PowerShell throughout to unlock MSI automation at enterprise scale!