How To Add Windows Store App With Mdt

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Install Windows Store App as part of task sequence?

Question
Is it possibly to install Windows Store Apps as part of task sequence?

I would like to install Lync for select business units, the Windows 8 Enterprise tablets are not domain joined.

I could add Lync to the image and then disallow it in applocker but would prefer not to do this.

Thanks,

All replies

Applocker does not help in this situation as Applocker has nothing to do with preventing app installation or uninstallation, it prevents apps from being executed.

For Windows 8 Apps that are only available in the Store, they can only be installed by the end-user from the Store itself.

Jason | http://blog.configmgrftw.com
- Proposed as answer by Saturday, October 27, 2012 6:31 PM
- Unproposed as answer by TonyTone Saturday, October 27, 2012 8:26 PM
I don't think you can as it is not a role or feature.
I understand how applocker works, at the moment the only option I have is to stop certain groups from launching the application whereas I would prefer it not to be there at all for those users.

Seems enterprise functionality has not been well thought out for the Metro interface.
I misread earlier, I just thought you meant the feature itself. Not an actual app from the web.

I haven't had time to play with this yet. However, from a quick google search I found there are PowerShell cmdlets to automate this.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh856045.aspx

Add-AppxPackage - Adds a signed app package (.appx) to a user account.
Get-AppxLastError - Get the last error reported in the app package installation logs.
Get-AppxLog - Gets an app package installation log.
Get-AppxPackage - Gets a list of the app packages (.appx) that are installed in a user profile.
Get-AppxPackageManifest - Gets the manifest of an app package (.appx).
Remove-AppxPackage - Removes an app package (.appx) from a user account.

This is interesting: How to Add and Remove Apps

Good luck with this.

Blog: http://scriptimus.wordpress.com
Those only work for apps that you can actually get an appx for which in general will not include apps available from the store. Appx availability is ultimately up to the vendor though.

Jason | http://blog.configmgrftw.com
Good point Jason, I was thinking that.

Undoubtedly, vendors will want to protect their store apps from redistribution. Which will make what Tony is trying to do difficult/impossible by design.

Blog: http://scriptimus.wordpress.com
Yeah, this is one I'm sure a lot of folks will struggle with and I'm not sure what the right answer is. Just like a lot of things in Windows 8, it's something "different" and different usually automatically equates to bad for most folks because they have to change their habits or practices and of course have to learn something new.

Jason | http://blog.configmgrftw.com
Hi all,

You can create a link to an actual app page, but the user (or a script operating on behalf of the user) must still click "Install".

Check out the new protocol ms-windows-store:

If you use the syntax: ms-windows-store:PDP?PFN={Package Family Name} you can go to the install page of any app. The PFN can be obtained from the app following installation by looking at folder names in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages. These are also in the Registry, but easier just to look in the folder. (Yes, this means you will have to install it manually at least once.)

Those of you with more automation experience than I have can easily script the button press to install the app. If you do, please post your process here to help the rest of us.

Here is the install link for Wikipedia: ms-windows-store:PDP?PFN=WikimediaFoundation.Wikipedia_54ggd3ev8bvz6 (copy and paste in IE).

Hope this helps!
- Edited by DaveField Microsoft employee Thursday, November 1, 2012 5:30 PM Added instruction for using link.
In this instance different does equate to bad, does Microsoft really think it's good practice for us to ask 20,000 mobile users to download the same app over 3G? How many support calls...?

I cannot think of any reason why Microsoft's free applications shouldn't be installed as devices are being provisioned.

On the upside the pilot users love it.

How To Add Windows Store App With Mdt

Source: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/d2b0c61a-426b-43bc-938b-663ea4ae918e/install-windows-store-app-as-part-of-task-sequence?forum=mdt

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