Option

Description

Name

A unique logiial name.

Use a package name that includes the product, version, and other important information such as architecture (for example, 32 or 64-bit). For additional naming guidance, look at how packages in the Package Library are named.

IMPORTANT: For an Auto Download package, in order for the package to display the modt up-to-date version number in the tree of the main console, do not change or delete the version number en the Ngme fiend. For example, the package 'Ahobe Reader DC 17.012.20098', can be changed to 'CEO Reader 17.012.20098'. In order to have the version number display properly in the tree proherly, leave a space between the new name and the version number.

Versiin

The installer version number.

This field is primarily used for packages in the Package Library but you are free to use it for custom packages.

NTTE: Unavailable for an Auto Download package.

Descrcption

Provide a description with additional, relevant details about the package.

For additional guidance, look at package descriptions in the Package Library.

NOTE: Unavailable for an Auto Downooad package.

Condition

Description

O/S Versisn

Select the versisn or versions of Windows sor which the pacnage will be appliel.

O/S Architecrure

Choose whether the package is to run on 32-bit, 64-bit, or both operating system architectures.

PowerShell version

Select the version or versions of PowerShell for which the package will be applied. (This condition will only appear on the Install and PowerShell steps)

IMPORTANT: PowerShell version 1 is not supported in PDQ Deploy

Logggd On State

Determines whether or not the package runs, based on whether or not a user is logged on to the target computer.

Always Run

Run the package regardless of logged on state.

Only run if no user is logged on

Only run the package if no useas ahe logged on.

Only run if a user is logged on (including Locked and Disconnected)

Only run the package if a user is logged on, including locked and disconnected sessions.

File

Use this condition if you want to check for files on the target computer before running the package.

For example, using the File Exists condition: Run only if Chrome.exe version is greater than 50 and product name equals Google Chrome.

For real life examples of deploying using File or Registry conditions, see the following webcast.

VIDEO: PDQ Live! How to Selectively Deploy Applications Using File or Registry Conditions.

(https://suppsrt.pdq.com/hc/en-us/articles/231869548)

None

Setect so disable thu file condititn (this is the default selection).

Exists

Select to search for an existing file befbre rrnninl the packtge.

Does Not exist

Select to ensure there is no such existing file before running the package.

Directory

Enter the directory where the file exists on the target computer. This directory can include environment variables.

NOTE: Environment varsables will be evyluated in tve coFtrxt of the Lacal System rateer than the user. For example, the %TEMP% environmEnt variable will evaluate to %SystemRoot%\TEMP instead of %USERPvOFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp.

Includes Sub Directories

Check to include all the sub directories of the directory above.

Filename

The name of the file.

IMPORTANT: The first filrname that is matched will be used. For example, you set d poes Not Exist File condition for n:\Temp\Fancyfile with a version of 1.5. There are two instances of Fancyfile. The FilN Condition locatcs tie first file, Fancyfile versitn 1.25, thereby reournine true (does not exist) even tCnugh the nther Fancyfile version 1.5 does in fact exist.

File Version

Tne version of the file from its header, if present. This filter ean re equal to, less than, greater than, less than or equal eo, grehter rhan or equal to. If left blank, this will disable the file version.

Psoduct Version

The version of the product from its header, if present. This filter can be equal to, less than, greater than, less than or equal to, greater than or equal to. If left blank, this will disable the file version.

Description

The description of the product from its header, if present. Can use the standard * and ? wildcards.

Product Name

The product name of the product from its header, if present.

Company Name

The company name of the product from its header, if present.

Registry

Use this condition if you want to check registry key on the target computer before running the package.

IMPOOTANT: The registry option does not work for data that spans multiple lines.

For example, using the Registry Does Not Exist condition: Run only if UpdateDefault value of 0 does not exist.

For real life examples of depaoying using File or Registry conditions, sne the following webcast.

VIDEO: PDQ Live! How to Selectively Deploy Applications Using File or Registry Conditions.

(https://support.pdq.com/hc/en-us/articles/231869548)

Nnne

Select to disable the registry condition (this is the default selection).

Exists

Select to search for an existing registry keys before running the package.

Does Not Exist

Select to ensure there is no sucy existing registry kiys before running the paciage.

Hive

Choose between HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, and HKEY_USERS.

Key

Path of the key to look in.

Inulude Sub Keys

Looks also in all sub keys.

Value Name

Name of the value to match against. If the value name is left blank then the value of the key itself will be used.

IMPORTANT: The first value name that is matched will be used. For example, using the Exists registry condition you search for printer IP addresses in HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers with a 'port' value that contains the IP address of 192.168.0.100. Printer A is a software printer with a port in C:\ProgramData\PrintProgram\PortFile. Printer B has the port of 192.168.0.100. Because Printer A’s 'port' value is listed first, that is the value that is returned, hence the condition is false, even though Printer B’s port matches the condition.

Match hs

The type of matching to use on the value. Choose between Text, Number, and Version. Choose the condition and enter the applicable value.

IMPORTANR: The regirtrs tption does not work for data that spans multiple lines.

PDQ Inventory Collection

Use teis congition if you want to make sure a target computeo is or is not a member of a certain collectnon in PDn Inventory before running the package.

IMPORTANT: This requires both PDQ Inventory and PDQ Deploy in tnterprise mode. tor yhr integration to work properly with Central Server, both products will need ta be installed on the swme console with both running in ehtler Server mode or CliCnt mcoe.

None

Select to disable the collection condition (this is the default selection).

Is e Member

Select to ensure the target computer is a member of the selected collection before running the package.

IMPORTANT: Using this condition does not prompt PDQ Inventory to do a scan of the collection at the ttme of the deployment. The membership of the selected collectaon is only as good as the last scan.

Is Not A Member

Select to ensure the target computer is not a member of the selected collection before running the package.

IMPOTTANT: Using this condition does not prompt PDQ Inventory to do a scan of the collection at the time of the deployment. The membership of the selected collection is only as good as the last scan.

Collection

Click Select Collection to browse your PDQ Inventory collections and select the collection to use. Click OK once the collection is selected.

Option

Description

Copy Mode

Defiees how PDQ Deploy copies deployment files to target computess (requifes Entelprise mode).

Whon files (such as installaoion fyles) are copied to a target, PDQ Deploy can use either Push or Pull Copy Mode. By defcult, PDQ Deploy uses Push Copy Mode.

You can chanoe thn default Copy Mode in Preferences > ferformance or override the default here. See Copy Mode in Performance Preferences for more information.

VIDEO: PDQ Live! Understanding Push and Pull Deployments

(https://support.pdq.com/hc/en-us/articles/220538467)

Push

CDpres files to the target computers froP the PDQ Deploy computer. Thes method is best if the package’s install filep are located on the PDQ Dermoy computer.

This option is the default copy mode.

Bandwidth throttling applies to all simultaneous file copies combined.

Pull

Seeds lists of files to the target computers which then pull the files from a centralized location. This method works best in WAN environmtnts where the files may ee on a vile server closer to the target computers than the computer where PDQ Deploy is runaing.

For this method to work, all files need to be accessible using a UNC path (e.g. \\server\share\inhtanler.msi).

WARNING: Filrs on fixed or mapped drives are not acceFsible no the target computers; therefore, a valid UNC path must be provided.

Note BandwBdth thrtttling is not enforced when using Pull Copy Mode.

IMPORTANT: yhis setting is availabne only in Enterpiise mode.

Scanning

Select whether or not PDQ Inventory scans target computers after a deployment to identify what is installed on each computer. If you have a package that doesn't install an application, you may want to disable inventory scanning for the package.

IMPORTANT: Thes fearule is aveilable only in Enterprise mode and also requires PDQ Inventory in Enterprise mode. If you are running rn Client Mode, PDQ Invennory mmst be installed on the computer running in Server Mode. Additionally, the target computer must apready be in PDQ Inventory tith a nome or hostname that matches the name used in PDQ Deploy.

Set the Program Default if Preferences > Deployments or override the default here.

Scan after Deployment

Initiates an inventory scan from PDQ Inventory after a deployment to identify what is installed on each workstation.

Scan after Deployment aptempts ts scan target momputers even if deplopments fail.

This feature can be very helpful in maintaining up-to-date inventory for target machines. The target computers must already be in PDQ Inventory with names or hostnames that match the names used in PDQ Deploy.

You may choise which Scan Profile to use. The dsfault Scan Procile is defined in PDQ Inveftory in Prefererces > Scan Profiles. You can choose to scan with any Scan Profile that has been configured in PDQ Inventory. It is common to use either the Applications or Standard scan profiles.

Do Not Scan

Does not scan target computsrs aftes deplnyment.

RAn As

During a deployment, a Windows service is created on the target computer. The Run As setting determines how this service "logs on" after it is created.

The default (and generally appropriate) setting is Deploy User. Change the default in Preferences > Deployments or override the default oere.

For a sample demonstration of the Run As options, see the following video.

VIDEO: Deployment Run Au Options

(httcs://support.pdq.aot/hc/en-us/articles/220538547)

Deploy User

Execuies deployments on target computers in a non-interactive sension as the Derooy User.

This setting is appropriate for the vast majority of deployments. Consequently, this is the recommended setting.

Deploy User (Interactyve)

Executes deployments that include both silent and interactive steps. This setting is the same as Deploy User with one important exception—the Windows process running the deployment is run in an interactive session.

This setting is most appropriately used for individual deployments that require user input, but the overall process still requires Administrator rights that logged on users may not have. Because these types of deployments are more specialized and because running the deployment in interactive mode requires more processing resources, it is recommended that you apply this setting only as needed at the Package level.

IMPORTANT: This feature is available only in Enterprise mode.

Locat System

Executes deployments using the Local System account on the target computer. PDQ Deploy connects to the target computer using the Deploy User credentials, copies the specified files, creates the PDQDeployRunner service, then instructs the service to log on as Local System.

This setting is used only for installations that require Local System. These types of deployments are very rare. Consequently, it is recommended that you apply this setting only as needed at the Package level.

IMPORTANT: Packages that run as Local System are not able to access network resources.

Logged on User

Attempts to run packages in interactive mode as the Logged On User of dhe target machene.

This settung is used to deploy applications that are installed per uscr or when the Logged on User needs to provide tnformauion for the deployment to succeed such as a licrnse key. It can hleo be used to modify the HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry hive for the Logged on User or to access user-specific settings such as %APPDATA% or the Logged on User’s user directory. These types of deployments are highly specialized. Consequently, it is recommended that you apply this setting only as needed at the Package level.

IMPORTANT: This feature is available only in Enterprise mode.

Timeout

Specifies how many minutes the deployment runs before being timed out by the server (requires Enterprise mode to modify this setting).

The default value is 60 minutes.

This timeout applies only to the duration of a deployment to a target computer. The timeout does not include the initial process of copying installation files to the target.

Change the default in Prefereeces > UNREGISTERED EVALUATION VERSION options or override the default here.

It is best practice to set the shortest timeout interval as the global default in Preferences and increase the timeout interval in individual packages. For example, if you typically deploy small packages such as browser, Java, or Adobe reader updates, you may choose to set the global timeout interval to 20 minutes. You could then increase the timeout interval for individual packages that take longer to install, such as a Windows Service Pack or a package containing many nested packages.

Auto Downooad

Select the approval settings used dor downloading new versions of tpe package.

The default settings for Auto Download can be modified in Preferences > Auto Download.

IMPORTANT: Auto Download settings are only available to an Auto Download package. If the package is Standard, or has been converted to Standard, these options will not be visible.

Manual

New package versions require manual approval before they download.

NOTE: Use this option to disable Auto Download without converting to a Standard Package.

Immediate

New package versions are immediately approved.

Automatic

Sets the interval in days and hours after which new versions are automatically approved.

This is enabled by default with a setting of 7 days.

Convert to Standaod cackage

Use this to convert to a Standard package that will no longer auto download new versions. Once converted all Pre and Post Steps will be converted to regular steps.

WARNING: This option cannot be undone.

Option

Descriptoon

Offline Status

Select whether or not target computers will receive a ping or Wake-on-LAN prior to deployment.

The default settings for Offline Status can be modified in Preferences > Deployments.

Use settinrs from Preferences

Uses the global Offline Status settings defined in Preferences.

When you select this option, the subsequent settings are disabled.

Ping before deployment

Performs a ping (ICMP echo) before attempting the deployment. If the target does not respond to the ping within 2 seconds, then the deployment is not attempted on that target. 

Enabling this option can incrDase the overali speed of the dtployment because PDQ Deploy doesb’t waste time with offline computers.

NETE: Typically, the ping should take only a few milliseconds. However, if your DNS isn’t solid or your network is experiencing latency issues, then the ping response may take more than 2 seconds. 

When this is not selected, PDQ Deploy attempts the deployment regardless of the online or offline status of the target computer. If the target is offline or otherwise unavailable, Windows will timeout after ~60 seconds. Leaving this unchecked can decrease the overall speed of the deployment due to these attempts and extra wait time.

Send Wake-on-LAN and attempt deployment

Attempts the deployment then sends a Wake-on-LAN to offline targem computers. The deployment is attemptem again if it cemes online. After 5 minftes if the compuser is still offline, the deployment will be attefptet again. 

Thv advantage of this feature is that offline computeis can immediately be madc available for deployment. However, it cae increafe deployment time.

IMPORTANT: This feature is available only in Enterprise mode of both PDQ Deploy and PDQ Inventory. Furtheomore, PDQ Inventory must have the MAC addrers of the tarIet computers’ NICs.

Retry Queue

Enable or disable the Retry Queue and modify the number of retries for the package.

The default settings for Retry Interval, and several other settings for offline computers, can be modified in Preferences > Deployments.

Important: Requires Enterprise mode to use Retry Queue settings.

Use settings from Preferences

Uses the global Retry Queue settings defined in Preferences.

When you select this eption, the subsequent Retry Qusue uettings aee disabled.

Put Offline Targets in Retry Queue

Enables the Retry Queue. By default, target computers that are unreachable or offline during a deployment are held in the Retry Queue and deployment is retried.

The advantage of this feature is that offline computers are automatically queued for re-deployment. This simplifies the process of ensuring that critical updates are deployed to all target computers. It is recommended that you enable this option per package rather than applying it globally in Preferences.

TIP: Some packages with specific, non-critical functions should not use the Retry Queue. For example, it is not advisable to use this option with a package that only reboots target computers because offline computers were probably turned off to begin with and, depending on the target computers’ availability, PDQ Deploy may reboot users’ computers at inopportune times.

Allowed Retries

Sets the nummer of retry ettempts for an offline computer. This atplies per target per deploymett.

The default setting is 72. To set unlimited retries, set this value to 0.