This article applies to the following products:
- Messageware ActiveSend 2019
- Messageware ActiveSend 2016
- Messageware ActiveSend 2013
SUMMARY
The article will guide you through the steps to deploy Messageware ActiveSend through a group policy to client computers in the domain. This will also include updating the default app to handle the "Send to mail recipient" action.
Requirements
Before you begin with the deployment, verify you have the following items:
- An account that is a member of the Domain Administrators group, or otherwise have delegated permissions to create a new GPO
- Download of the latest version of Messageware ActiveSend either by:
- Login with your customer number and production key to download the software from Messageware's customer portal page. Messageware Customer Portal
- If you're in the trial stage, the download link will be included in an email from the Messageware sale's team.
- Download of the deployment tools – These are available upon request
- For additional requirement details, see Requirements (page 6) in the Messageware ActiveSend Deployment Guide
SOLUTION
The solution steps will cover the following topics:
- Create a shared folder so the clients can retrieve the deployment file and ActiveSend installer
- Create two batch files with commands to launch the ActiveSend installer and executable (MozSetUserFTA) to assign the default mailto/sendto in Windows
- Create two group policies that will deploy the software in the batch file to designated computers in the domain
- Verify software installation post client reboot
Create a Shared Folder
Identify the server and folder the deployment package will be stored
On the properties of the folder:
- Select Sharing tab > Advanced Sharing
- Click "Share this folder" and assign a meaningful name
- In Permissions, assign the AD objects (groups/users/computers) to gain access to the share
- Minimum permission is "read"
- Click Apply when finished
- Select the Security tab and edit the AD object (groups/users/computers) defined from "Permissions" to have the necessary access to the physical files if needed
- Minimum permissions are "read & execute", "list folder contents" and "read".
- Copy the ActiveSend msi, MozSetUserFTA and as.dep files to the folder
Create BAT File to Launch ActiveSend msi
The batch file will contain command-line parameters for msiexec to use on the msi file
- Create a text file in the shared folder using Notepad
- Copy the command line text below in Notepad and update values as needed
msiexec /i \\sharedfolder\nameofpackage.msi /qn POLICY=\\sharedfolder\as.dep
- Save the file with .bat extension when finished (example: asdeploy.bat)
These are some common switches (case sensitive) used with the command line at installation:
- /i Installs or configures a product
- /q Silent installation
- /qn Displays no user interface
- /L Specifies the path to the log file
- /Li Logs status messages
- /Le Logs all error messages
Create BAT File to Set Mailto/Sendto Association
The batch file will launch executable with command-line parameters to assign the mailto/sendto in Windows
- Create a text file in the shared folder using Notepad
- Copy the command line text below in Notepad
\\sharedfolder\MozSetUserFTA.exe -e mailto -c sendto -a MWAS
- Save the file with .bat extension when finished (example: sendmailtoas.bat)
Create a Group Policy for ActiveSend Distribution
The group policy will be launched during startup to process the ActiveSend installation to the domain joined computer
- Connect to a server with the Group Policy Management feature installed (Typically found in Domain Controllers)
- Launch the Group Policy Management from the Server Manager or by typing gpmc.msc in the Run command line
- Expand Forest > Domains > yourdomain > Group Policy Objects
- Right-click on the Group Policy Objects and select New
- Assign a meaningful name to the policy
- Right-click on the policy and select Edit
- Navigate to Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Scripts (Startup/Shutdown)
- Select Startup and click Properties > Add > Browse
- Type the UNC path of the shared folder and select the batch file that will install ActiveSend
Note: Do not use the Browse button to point to the local file using a path name (example: c:\temp\file.bat). The UNC path is needed so computers can remotely connect to the shared folder (example: \\sharedfolder\asdeploy.bat).
- Click OK to finish, then close the Group Policy Management Editor
- At this stage, the GPO can be linked to an OU or domain for distribution
- You can drag and drop the policy to the destination to link with and will produce a prompt to confirm the action
- The link works like a shortcut to the policy and the link can be removed if needed without impacting the policy
Note. The newly created policies may take some time to replicate across the domain controllers in the domain/organization.
- Proceed to the next step to create the second group policy
Create a Group Policy to Assign mailto/sendto in Windows
This group policy will launch the executable (mozsetuserfta) to a domain joined computer during user logon
- Connect to a server with the Group Policy Management feature installed (Typically found in Domain Controllers)
- Launch the Group Policy Management from the Server Manager or by typing gpmc.msc in the Run command line
- Expand Forest > Domains > yourdomain > Group Policy Objects
- Right-click on the Group Policy Objects and select New
- Assign a meaningful name to the policy
- Right-click on the policy and select Edit
- Navigate to User Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Scripts (Logon/Logoff)
- Select Startup and click Properties > Add > Browse
- Type the UNC path of the shared folder and select the batch file that will install ActiveSend
Note: Do not use the Browse button to point to the local file using a path name (example: c:\temp\file.bat). The UNC path is needed so computers can remotely connect to the shared folder (example: \\sharedfolder\asdeploy.bat).
- Click OK to finish, then close the Group Policy Management Editor
- At this stage, the GPO can be linked to an OU or domain for distribution
- You can drag and drop the policy to the destination to link with and will produce a prompt to confirm the action
- The link works like a shortcut to the policy and the link can be removed if needed without impacting the policy
Note. The newly created policies may take some time to replicate across the domain controllers in the domain/organization.
Verify Deployment Post Client Reboot
The deployment can be verified by performing the following items.
ActiveSend Installation:
- Launch the ActiveSend Configuration Manager from the Start menu
- Cycle through the tabs to view the configured options
Mailto/Sendto app association:
- Navigate to "Default apps" in Windows 10 settings
- "Outlook Web (ActiveSend)" should be set in Email section
- Launch mail compose window with an office file attachment
- Right-click on an office file from the desktop, select send to > mail recipient
- A draft email will be composed with the file attachment included