Deploying 7-Zip via NetSupport DNA’s Software Distribution feature

With NetSupport DNA, you can remotely install software on your devices using the Software Distribution feature. This can be extremely useful in cases where you need to deploy software to devices but alternative methods aren’t suitable or possible.

This article explains how to install/deploy 7-Zip silently via NetSupport DNA’s Software Distribution feature. However, please be aware that you should always refer to your software manufacturer’s documentation (or contact them) for information on how to silently install their software, as this can often change.

Determining how to silently install 7-Zip
First, you need to determine whether the software can be silently installed. After reviewing 7-Zip’s FAQ page (https://www.7-zip.org/faq.html), you can see in the ‘How can I install 7-Zip in silent mode?’ section that when using the .exe installer, the following parameters need to be used:

• /S
• /D=”C:\Program Files\7-Zip”

The ‘/S’ parameter is for instructing the installer to perform a silent installation and ‘/D’ sets the installation directory. In this article, we will use the .exe installer but you can use a .msi installer if preferred (please note that the parameters will be different).

Note: While we have verified the following instructions work for 7-Zip 19.00 (2019-02-21), how you silently install software can change. We strongly recommend referring to the vendor’s documentation to ensure you have the most up to date information for the version you’re installing.

Creating a software distribution package in NetSupport DNA
Next, you need to create a package within NetSupport DNA so you can deploy and install the software.

1. Download the 7-Zip .exe installer from the vendor’s website. In this case, we can download the latest version (7-Zip 19.00 (2019-02-21)) from their website https://www.7-zip.org/.
2. Log into the NetSupport DNA Console.
3. Click the Software Distribution icon in the ribbon and select {Package Administration} from the drop-down menu.
4. Click New to create a new software distribution package.
5. To add the 7-Zip installer to the package, select the Files icon.
6. Navigate to and select the 7-Zip installer (7z1900-x64.exe).
7. Now the installer is in the package, select the 7z1900-x64.exe installer and then click the Actions icon.
8. Select the ‘Execute: “%Package%\7z1900-x64.exe”‘ action and click Edit.
9. Add the silent install parameters to the end of the action.
   • In this example it would be: “%Package%\7z1900-x64.exe” /S /D=”C:\Program Files\7-Zip”
   • All files included in a software distribution package are sent to the %Package% directory on a DNA Agent machine which by default is C:\Program Files (x86)\NetSupport\NetSupport DNA\Client\Packages. So, the above command will execute the 7z1900-x64.exe installer with the ‘/S /D= “”C:\Program Files\7-Zip” parameters.
10. Click OK. You can now test the package.

Testing the software distribution package
Now you’ve created a package, you should perform a test installation to ensure it functions as expected.

1. In the Test Package dialog, select Test Package Distribution and click Next.
2. Select a PC from your DNA hierarchy to test the package on and click Next (note that a DNA Agent much be installed on the device and the device must be powered on in order to select it).

Distributing your 7-Zip software distribution package
Once you have created the package, it can now be deployed to your NetSupport DNA Agent machines.

1. In the Tree view, select the area (PCs, Department, etc.) that you wish to distribute the package to.
2. Right click and select Distribute.
3. A list of all packages will be shown. Select the 7-Zip package.
4. Click OK. The Schedule Distribution window will appear.
   • If you wish to schedule the distribution, then you can do this here. Otherwise, select Now to install the software as soon as possible.
5. Click OK. NetSupport DNA will attempt to distribute and install the package.