Deploy the RMS Client 1.0 by Using Group Policy

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Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2

You can use the Software Installation and Maintenance feature of Group Policy to deploy the RMS client on target computers. Group Policy is the recommended method for actively managing the deployment of the RMS clients for small- to medium-sized organizations or ones that are not already using a corporate update management solution such as Microsoft Systems Center Configuration Manager 2007.

This procedure assumes the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) is being used. To download GPMC, see Group Policy Management Console with Service Pack 1.

The following procedure provides a quick guide for administrators unfamiliar with Group Policy–based distribution of software. This example shows how to deploy the x86 version, x64 version, and the IA64 version of the Windows Rights Management Services client via GPO. These steps can be modified as necessary to meet the needs of each organization.

To Remotely Deploy the Windows Rights Management Clients

  1. Download WindowsRightsManagementServicesSP2-KB917275-Client-ENU-x86.exe, WindowsRightsManagementServicesSP2-KB917275-Client-ENU-x64.exe, and WindowsRightsManagementServicesSP2-KB917275-Client-ENU-I64.exe.

  2. Create 3 new directories named x86, x64, and IA64.

  3. Extract each one of the executable files above to the directory that corresponds to the executable. Follow the instructions from the “Installation through System Center Configuration Manager” section to do this.

  4. Create a network accessible share.

  5. Copy all the directories (x86, x64, IA64) into the share.

  6. On a domain controller, click Start, Administrative Tools, and Group Policy Management.

  7. Expand Domains, right-click the server, and then click Create a GPO in this domain and link it here.

  8. In Name, type WRM Client GPO.

  9. Click OK.

  10. In Group Policy Management, expand the forest Fabrikam.com, right-click WRM Client GPO, and then click Edit.

  11. In Group Policy Management Editor, click User Configuration, Policies, and Software Settings.

  12. Right-click Software Installation, and then click New and package.

  13. In File Name, type the full Universal Naming Convention (UNC) of the shared folder we created in step 4. Do not use the Browse button to access this location. Use the UNC. Click Open.

  14. Open the x86 folder, select the MSDRMCLIENT.msi file, and then click Open.

  15. On the Deploy Software screen, select Published, and then click OK.

  16. In the Group Policy Management Editor, on the right, right-click Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2, and then click Properties.

  17. In Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2 Properties, under Name, change Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2 to Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2 (x86), and then click OK.

  18. In Group Policy Management Editor, right-click Software Installation, and then select New and package.

  19. In the Open box, navigate up one level, open the x64 folder, select the MSDRMCLIENT.msi file, and then click Open.

  20. On the Deploy Software screen, click Published, and then click OK.

  21. In the Group Policy Management Editor, on the right, right-click Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2, and then click Properties.

  22. In Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2 Properties, under Name, change Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2 to Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2 (x64), and then click OK.

  23. In the Group Policy Management Editor, right-click Software Installation, and then select New and package.

  24. In the Open box, navigate up one level, open the IA64 folder, select the MSDRMCLIENT.msi file, and then click Open.

  25. On the Deploy Software screen, select Published, and then click OK.

  26. In the Group Policy Management Editor, on the right, right-click Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2, and then click Properties.

  27. On the Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2 Properties under Name, change Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2 to Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2 (x64), and then click OK.

  28. In the Group Policy Management Editor, right-click Software Installation, and then click Properties.

  29. In Software installation Properties, click the Advanced tab.

  30. Under 32-bit applications on 64-bit platforms, clear the Make 32-bit X86 Windows Installer applications available to Win64 machines, check box, and then click OK.

  31. Close Group Policy Management Editor, and then close Group Policy Management.

  32. To test, log on to a client computer with either 32-bit or 64-bit Windows XP.

  33. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

  34. Click Add or Remove Programs.

  35. On the left, click Add New Program.

  36. Under Add programs from your network, click Windows Rights Management Client with Service Pack 2 (x86), and then click Add.

  37. Follow the installation prompts.

For additional information about remotely deploying an .msi package, see How to use Group Policy to remotely install software in Windows Server 2003.

For more information about Group Policy, see Designing a Group Policy Infrastructure.