PowerShell scripting template for SCCM packages

This article provides a PowerShell scripting template for SCCM and MDT packages. This template can also be used for stand-alone installations (without using SCCM or MDT)!

An SCCM package is basically a container with source files. I recommend using a wrapper (a script) to execute the installation files and for any configuration you may need. And that is exactly what the PowerShell template below offers!
Even better, the template in this article uses my PowerShell Function Library, which effectively turns it into a complete deployment framework.

Change Log
23.05.2017: updated and renamed functions.
05.06.2018: major overhaul of this article and single functions have been replaced by the Dennis Span PowerShell Function Library.

Scripting Template

The scripting template below is an example that you can use for your installations and configurations. The functions in the template are imported from a PowerShell module for the Dennis Span PowerShell Function Library. The library offers more functions than included in the template (the template is only an example).

Please see the article PowerShell Function Library for detailed information how to install and use the library.

For a complete overview of all PowerShell functions included in the library, see the following articles on this website:

Windows functions: PowerShell functions for Windows
Citrix functions: PowerShell functions for Citrix

#==========================================================================
#
# <APPLICATION NAME>
#
# AUTHOR: <AUTHOR>
# DATE  : <DATE>
#
# COMMENT: <COMMENT>
#
# Note: see the article 'https://dennisspan.com/powershell-scripting-template-for-sccm-packages/' for a detailed description how to use this template
#
# Note: for an overview of all functions in the PowerShell function library 'DS_PowerShell_Function_Library.psm1' see:
#       -Windows functions: https://dennisspan.com/powershell-function-library/powershell-functions-for-windows/
#       -Citrix functions: https://dennisspan.com/powershell-function-library/powershell-functions-for-citrix/
#          
# Change log:
# -----------
# <DATE> <NAME>: <CHANGE DESCRIPTION>
#==========================================================================

# Get the script parameters if there are any
param
(
    # The only parameter which is really required is 'Uninstall'
    # If no parameters are present or if the parameter is not
    # 'uninstall', an installation process is triggered
    [string]$Installationtype
)

# define Error handling
# note: do not change these values
$global:ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"
if($verbose){ $global:VerbosePreference = "Continue" }

############################
# Preparation              #
############################

# Disable File Security
$env:SEE_MASK_NOZONECHECKS = 1

# Custom variables [edit]
$BaseLogDir = "C:\Logs"               # [edit] add the location of your log directory here
$PackageName = "MyApp"                # [edit] enter the display name of the software (e.g. 'Arcobat Reader' or 'Microsoft Office')

# Global variables
$StartDir = $PSScriptRoot # the directory path of the script currently being executed
if (!($Installationtype -eq "Uninstall")) { $Installationtype = "Install" }
$LogDir = (Join-Path $BaseLogDir $PackageName).Replace(" ","_")
$LogFileName = "$($Installationtype)_$($PackageName).log"
$LogFile = Join-path $LogDir $LogFileName

# Create the log directory if it does not exist
if (!(Test-Path $LogDir)) { New-Item -Path $LogDir -ItemType directory | Out-Null }

# Create new log file (overwrite existing one)
New-Item $LogFile -ItemType "file" -force | Out-Null

# Import the Dennis Span PowerShell Function Library
Import-Module "C:\Scripts\DS_PowerShell_Function_Library.psm1"

DS_WriteLog "I" "START SCRIPT - $Installationtype $PackageName" $LogFile
DS_WriteLog "-" "" $LogFile

############################
# Pre-launch commands      #
############################

# Delete a registry value
DS_DeleteRegistryValue -RegKeyPath "hklm:\SOFTWARE\MyApp" -RegValueName "MyValue"

# Create a directory
DS_CreateDirectory -Directory "C:\Temp\MyNewFolder"

# Stop a service (+ dependencies)
DS_StopService -ServiceName "Spooler"

############################
# Installation             #
############################

# Install or uninstall software
$FileName = "MyApp.msi"                                                 # [edit] enter the name of the installation file (e.g. 'MyApp.msi' or 'setup.exe')
if ( $Installationtype -eq "Uninstall" ) {   
    $Arguments = ""                                                     # [edit] enter arguments (for MSI file the following arguments are added by default: /i #File# /qn /norestart / l*v #LogFile#)
} else {
    $Arguments = "Transforms=""MyApp.mst"" LANG_LIST=""en_US,de_DE"""   # [edit] enter arguments (for MSI file the following arguments are added by default: /i #File# /qn /norestart / l*v #LogFile#)
}
$FileSubfolder = "Files"                                                # [edit] enter the name of the subfolder which contains the installation file (e.g. 'Files' or 'MSI')
$FileFullPath = Join-Path $StartDir $FileSubfolder                      # Concatenate the two directories $StartDit and $InstallFileFolder
DS_InstallOrUninstallSoftware -File ( Join-Path $FileFullPath $FileName ) -InstallationType $Installationtype -Arguments $Arguments

############################
# Post-launch commands     #
############################

# Delete a registry key
DS_DeleteRegistryKey -RegKeyPath "hklm:\Software\MyApp"

# Start a service (+ dependencies)
DS_StartService -ServiceName "Spooler"

############################
# Finalize                 #
############################

# Enable File Security  
Remove-Item env:\SEE_MASK_NOZONECHECKS

DS_WriteLog "-" "" $LogFile
DS_WriteLog "I" "End of script" $LogFile

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

#==========================================================================

# <APPLICATION NAME>

# AUTHOR: <AUTHOR>

# DATE : <DATE>

# COMMENT: <COMMENT>

# Note: see the article 'https://dennisspan.com/powershell-scripting-template-for-sccm-packages/' for a detailed description how to use this template

# Note: for an overview of all functions in the PowerShell function library 'DS_PowerShell_Function_Library.psm1' see:

# -Windows functions: https://dennisspan.com/powershell-function-library/powershell-functions-for-windows/

# -Citrix functions: https://dennisspan.com/powershell-function-library/powershell-functions-for-citrix/

# Change log:

# -----------

# <DATE> <NAME>: <CHANGE DESCRIPTION>

#==========================================================================

# Get the script parameters if there are any

param

(

# The only parameter which is really required is 'Uninstall'

# If no parameters are present or if the parameter is not

# 'uninstall', an installation process is triggered

[string]$Installationtype

)

# define Error handling

# note: do not change these values

$global:ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"

if($verbose){ $global:VerbosePreference = "Continue" }

############################

# Preparation #

############################

# Disable File Security

$env:SEE_MASK_NOZONECHECKS = 1

# Custom variables [edit]

$BaseLogDir = "C:\Logs" # [edit] add the location of your log directory here

$PackageName = "MyApp" # [edit] enter the display name of the software (e.g. 'Arcobat Reader' or 'Microsoft Office')

# Global variables

$StartDir = $PSScriptRoot # the directory path of the script currently being executed

if (!($Installationtype -eq "Uninstall")) { $Installationtype = "Install" }

$LogDir = (Join-Path $BaseLogDir $PackageName).Replace(" ","_")

$LogFileName = "$($Installationtype)_$($PackageName).log"

$LogFile = Join-path $LogDir $LogFileName

# Create the log directory if it does not exist

if (!(Test-Path $LogDir)) { New-Item -Path $LogDir -ItemType directory | Out-Null }

# Create new log file (overwrite existing one)

New-Item $LogFile -ItemType "file" -force | Out-Null

# Import the Dennis Span PowerShell Function Library

Import-Module "C:\Scripts\DS_PowerShell_Function_Library.psm1"

DS_WriteLog "I" "START SCRIPT - $Installationtype $PackageName" $LogFile

DS_WriteLog "-" "" $LogFile

############################

# Pre-launch commands #

############################

# Delete a registry value

DS_DeleteRegistryValue -RegKeyPath "hklm:\SOFTWARE\MyApp" -RegValueName "MyValue"

# Create a directory

DS_CreateDirectory -Directory "C:\Temp\MyNewFolder"

# Stop a service (+ dependencies)

DS_StopService -ServiceName "Spooler"

############################

# Installation #

############################

# Install or uninstall software

$FileName = "MyApp.msi" # [edit] enter the name of the installation file (e.g. 'MyApp.msi' or 'setup.exe')

if ( $Installationtype -eq "Uninstall" ) {

$Arguments = "" # [edit] enter arguments (for MSI file the following arguments are added by default: /i #File# /qn /norestart / l*v #LogFile#)

} else {

$Arguments = "Transforms=""MyApp.mst"" LANG_LIST=""en_US,de_DE""" # [edit] enter arguments (for MSI file the following arguments are added by default: /i #File# /qn /norestart / l*v #LogFile#)

}

$FileSubfolder = "Files" # [edit] enter the name of the subfolder which contains the installation file (e.g. 'Files' or 'MSI')

$FileFullPath = Join-Path $StartDir $FileSubfolder # Concatenate the two directories $StartDit and $InstallFileFolder

DS_InstallOrUninstallSoftware -File ( Join-Path $FileFullPath $FileName ) -InstallationType $Installationtype -Arguments $Arguments

############################

# Post-launch commands #

############################

# Delete a registry key

DS_DeleteRegistryKey -RegKeyPath "hklm:\Software\MyApp"

# Start a service (+ dependencies)

DS_StartService -ServiceName "Spooler"

############################

# Finalize #

############################

# Enable File Security

Remove-Item env:\SEE_MASK_NOZONECHECKS

DS_WriteLog "-" "" $LogFile

DS_WriteLog "I" "End of script" $LogFile

How to use this template

First, copy the above code in your preferred editor (e.g. notepad) and save the file as a PowerShell script (*.PS1), for example MyAppInstaller.ps1. You can choose any file name you want of course.

You have to modify a couple of lines in the script to match your specific requirements. Enter your preferred log directory and package name in lines 43 and 44, for example:

$BaseLogDir = "C:\Logs"
$PackageName = "Adobe Acrobat Reader"

$BaseLogDir = "C:\Script\Logs"
$PackageName = "Environment_Config"

# Custom variables [edit]
$BaseLogDir = "C:\Logs"               # [edit] add the location of your log directory here
$PackageName = "Adobe Acrobat Reader" # [edit] enter the display name of the software (e.g. 'Arcobat Reader' or 'Microsoft Office')

# Custom variables [edit]

$BaseLogDir = "C:\Logs" # [edit] add the location of your log directory here

$PackageName = "Adobe Acrobat Reader" # [edit] enter the display name of the software (e.g. 'Arcobat Reader' or 'Microsoft Office')

When the log directory is created, spaces are automatically replaced with an underscore ("_"), for example: C:\Logs\Adobe_Acrobat_Reader.

Tip:

Changing the main log directory (e.g. C:\Logs) at a later time means that you have to change each script that contains the hard-coded path. There is another, more flexible way:

Create an environment variable using a Group Policy Preference called GlobalLogPath (or use a different name). As a value enter your preferred log path, for example "C:\Logs".
In the script, add $env:GlobalLogPath as a value to the PowerShell variable $BaseLogDir: $BaseLogDir = $env:GlobalLogPath

The PowerShell script now reads the log path from the environment variable GlobalLogPath. In case you ever want to change the log directory you simply change the path in the Group Policy Preference environment variable without having to change any of your scripts.

The section How to use the library in a PowerShell script in the article PowerShell Function Library describes how to use the library in a PowerShell script. In line 60, make sure to enter the correct path to the library.

In the script sections "Pre-launch commands", "Installation" and "Post-launch commands" make sure to enter the functions you require.

Optional: software (un)installation

In case you are installing or uninstalling software, add your source file(s) to a subfolder relative to the root folder (e.g. Files). The subfolder is the relative path to your package source directory. For example, if this is your package source folder:

\\FileServer1\PackageSource\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\11.0.18_01

Than the subfolder for your installation source files is:

\\FileServer1\PackageSource\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\11.0.18_01\Files
or
\\FileServer1\PackageSource\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\11.0.18_01\MSI
or
\\FileServer1\PackageSource\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\11.0.18_01\SETUP

In the PowerShell script, enter the name of your installation file, arguments and sub folder (again, relative to the root folder).

For example:

Line 83: $FileName = "AcrobatReader.msi"
Line 85/87: $Arguments =
- "Transforms=""AcrobatReader.mst"" LANG_LIST=""en_US,de_DE"""
  or
- "/silent /uninstall"
  or
- "/QN" (for setup.exe files only)
Line 89: $FileSubFolder = "Files"

In the previous example, the folder Files is used for the variable $FileSubFolder, This is the default value, but you can use any folder name you want (e.g. "MSI", or "SETUP"). Just make sure that the folder exists relative to the root of the path.

Please note that for MSI packages the following parameters are added by default:

For uninstallations: "/x ""$File"" /qn /norestart /l*v ""$LogFileAPP"""
For installations: "/i ""$File"" /qn /norestart /l*v ""$LogFileAPP"""

# Install or uninstall software
$FileName = "MyApp.msi"                                                 # [edit] enter the name of the installation file (e.g. 'MyApp.msi' or 'setup.exe')
if ( $Installationtype -eq "Uninstall" ) {   
    $Arguments = ""                                                     # [edit] enter arguments (for MSI file the following arguments are added by default: /i #File# /qn /norestart / l*v #LogFile#)
} else {
    $Arguments = "Transforms=""MyApp.mst"" LANG_LIST=""en_US,de_DE"""   # [edit] enter arguments (for MSI file the following arguments are added by default: /i #File# /qn /norestart / l*v #LogFile#)
}
$FileSubfolder = "Files"                                                # [edit] enter the name of the subfolder which contains the installation file (e.g. 'Files' or 'MSI')
$FileFullPath = Join-Path $StartDir $FileSubfolder                      # Concatenate the two directories $StartDit and $InstallFileFolder
DS_InstallOrUninstallSoftware -File ( Join-Path $FileFullPath $FileName ) -InstallationType $Installationtype -Arguments $Arguments

# Install or uninstall software

$FileName = "MyApp.msi" # [edit] enter the name of the installation file (e.g. 'MyApp.msi' or 'setup.exe')

if ( $Installationtype -eq "Uninstall" ) {

$Arguments = "" # [edit] enter arguments (for MSI file the following arguments are added by default: /i #File# /qn /norestart / l*v #LogFile#)

} else {

$Arguments = "Transforms=""MyApp.mst"" LANG_LIST=""en_US,de_DE""" # [edit] enter arguments (for MSI file the following arguments are added by default: /i #File# /qn /norestart / l*v #LogFile#)

}

$FileSubfolder = "Files" # [edit] enter the name of the subfolder which contains the installation file (e.g. 'Files' or 'MSI')

$FileFullPath = Join-Path $StartDir $FileSubfolder # Concatenate the two directories $StartDit and $InstallFileFolder

DS_InstallOrUninstallSoftware -File ( Join-Path $FileFullPath $FileName ) -InstallationType $Installationtype -Arguments $Arguments

When you have prepared your PowerShell file copy it in the root of your package source directory. For example:

\\FileServer1\PackageSource\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\11.0.18_01\AppInstaller.ps1

The PowerShell script is executed as follows:

For installations:
powershell -file "\\FileServer1\PackageSource\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\11.0.18_01\AppInstaller.ps1" Install
For uninstallations:
powershell -file "\\FileServer1\PackageSource\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\11.0.18_01\AppInstaller.ps1" Uninstall

Happy scripting!

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Dennis Span

Dennis Span works as a Senior Citrix Architect for a large insurance company in Vienna, Austria. He holds multiple certifications such as CCE-V, CCIA and CCEA. In 2017, Dennis became a Citrix Technology Advocate (CTA). Besides his interest in virtualization technologies and blogging, he loves spending time with his family as well as snowboarding, playing basketball and rowing. He is fluent in Dutch, English, German and Slovak and speaks some Spanish.

21 thoughts on “PowerShell scripting template for SCCM packages”

Phil on June 26, 2017 at 15:39 said:
Great work, would this work for MDT as ell or it is just solely for SCCM?
Reply ↓
- Dennis on June 26, 2017 at 15:46 said:
  Hi Phil, for sure it works with MDT as well. I do not add any SCCM specific functions in my PowerShell scripts. My scripts also work without SCCM or MDT. You can simply trigger them manually (e.g. powershell.exe -file %FileName%).
  Reply ↓
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Xavier on May 9, 2018 at 11:48 said:
Hello Dennis,
Thanks for your work!
I have a problem with SCCM, the package return an error 196608.
It works if i run manually the script.
Have you any idea for this error?
Reply ↓
- Dennis Span on May 9, 2018 at 14:09 said:
  Hi Xavier, thanks!
  I am not sure what that error means exactly, but I suggest to check the following:
  -Test the installation as a system user (example: https://dennisspan.com/scripting-the-complete-list-of-citrix-components-with-powershell/#CFsDep2.sys).
  -Also, the process ‘smsswd.exe’ that executes the package runs as a 32-bit process. Make sure that when testing manually you emulate this behavior. Open a 32-bit command window (C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cmd.exe) and run the installation from there.
  In case you require more help, please send me an e-mail (dennis@dennisspan.com) with more details (e.g. exact command line, package settings, etc.). Perhaps you can even send me a copy of the script so I can test it myself.
  Reply ↓
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Lieven on September 10, 2018 at 13:47 said:
Hi,
in case you want to install a msi in the post (or pre) section. How do you implement that?
In my case the logfile is not fully written (broken actually), SCCM says Installation Failed and Post-msi is not installed.
THx for your reply
Reply ↓
- Dennis Span on September 11, 2018 at 07:17 said:
  Hi Lieven, please send me the code snippet or the script to my e-mail (dennis@dennisspan.com). I can take a look at it if you want to.
  Bye,
  Dennis
  Reply ↓
Lieven on September 11, 2018 at 11:39 said:
Hi Dennis,
I found my mistake by running the .ps1 manually in powershell
PS: A nice feature would be a function that searches for a running process and kills it if specified. E.g. DS_SearchRunningProces -process iexplore.exe -Kill yes/no
Reply ↓
- Dennis Span on September 11, 2018 at 12:26 said:
  Hi Lieven,
  I am happy you found the mistake. And your idea for a new function to kill a running process is a good idea. I will implement it in the next release of my Function Library.
  Thanks!
  Bye,
  Dennis
  Reply ↓

Dennis Span

Automating the virtual environment

PowerShell scripting template for SCCM packages

Scripting Template

How to use this template

Optional: software (un)installation

Related

21 thoughts on “PowerShell scripting template for SCCM packages”

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