Create & deploy an Application

Requirements: - Admin needs to have access to the Distribution Point (matching scope)

Creating an Application in MECM

Step 1: Launch the Application Wizard

Navigate to:

Software Library > Application Management > Applications

Click Create Application from the ribbon at the top.

Create Application button in MECM interface

Step 2: Choose Application Type

In the Create Application Wizard, select the application type.
MECM supports the following formats:
MSI
MSIX
APPX
EXE

💡 For .exe installers, choose "Manually specify the application information" and then use the Deployment Type: Script Installer.

💡 If you would like to use the PSADT standard for packaging (or a PW script based install), kindly select the script option. For the purposes of this tutorial, we will be using the PSADT standard, and so, the script method.

Select the installer format, such as MSI or EXE

Script method - for PSADT

Step 3: Locate the Installer (Non Script Installation)

Click Browse and select the installer file.

⚠️ If using a DFS path like G:\software\installer.exe and you see an "Invalid UNC path" error, replace G: with the UNC equivalent: \\cern.ch\dfs\software\installer.exe

Step 4: General Information

Fill in:
Name
Publisher
Software Version
Administrative Categories - For Engineering Apps, Choose Engineering Software

These fields help in organizing and identifying the application.

Fill in application name, version, and publisher

Step 5: Specify Further Details on Software Center

Specify information on how you would like this application to appear on the Software Center.
Fill in:
Localized Application Name
User Categories
User Documentation Files (optional)
Information and Privacy Links
Localized Description
App logo

Select the deployment type based on installer type

Step 6: Specify Deployment Type

Click Add to define the deployment type.
Choose:
Windows Installer for .msi files
Script Installer for .exe files

Step 6.1: If You use the Windows Installer type

The details are filled in automatically. Selecting a path.

Select the deployment type based on installer type

Final confirmed details

Select the deployment type based on installer type

Step 6.2: If You use the Script Installer type

Start by selecting the option Select the deployment type based on installer type

Specify General Information Select the deployment type based on installer type

Specify Content Delivery Information Select the deployment type based on installer type

Specify Detection Mechanisms - Select Add Clause

Select the deployment type based on installer type

Choose between File System, Registry and Windows Installer. Add details accordingly.

Select the deployment type based on installer type

Specify User Experience Settings

Select the deployment type based on installer type

Specify Requirements and Dependencies (if any)

Confirm Deployment Mechanism

Select the deployment type based on installer type

Step 7: Complete the Wizard

Click Next through the summary and then Close.
MECM will upload the application to the selected Distribution Points.

Summary before finishing application creation

🚀 Deploying an Application

Once created, you can deploy the application to device or user collections.

Step 1: Navigate to the Application

Go to:

Software Library > Application Management > Applications

Right-click the application and choose Deploy.

Right-click and select Deploy to start the deployment process

Step 2: Select Target Collection

Choose a device or user collection (e.g., All Workstations, IT Department).

Make sure the collection contains the intended targets.

Choose the collection where the application will be deployed

Step 3: Choose Distribution Point

Select the Distribution Point that contains the application's content.

Select the distribution point to deploy from

Step 4: Specify Deployment Intent

Choose:
Available – users can install via Software Center
Required – MECM installs the application automatically

Choose whether deployment is optional or required

Step 5: Set Scheduling Options, User Experience and Alerts

Set the start time and deadline (if any).
Leave blank for immediate deployment.

Choose whether deployment is optional or required

Step 6: Complete Deployment

Review and confirm the deployment settings.

Review the summary before confirming the deployment

Monitor status via:

Monitoring > Deployments

Video tutorials

Create a new application:

Deploy the application to a collection: