- EXE for per-user install
- MSI for machine-wide per-user install
- MSI for machine-wide per-machine install
The per-user install using the EXE is recommended for typical users. It does not require elevation and all files and settings are kept in the user context.
The MSIs are recommended for enterprises with administrators who will manage the installation and who are deploying Detect Desktop on multiple machines. You can read about the differences below to help decide which one is right for your organisation.
Per-user install (WDD-Setup.exe)
The EXE install installs Workshare Detect Desktop for the user running the install. The install will update files and registry locations for that user only.
Points to consider:
- This install works best for individual users.
- Detect Desktop is installed to %LOCALAPPDATA% for the user running the install.
- Detect Desktop is not available to any other user on the machine unless that user separately installs Detect Desktop.
- Automatic updates are downloaded and installed.
- Normally you don't require administrator privileges as only user files and registry locations are updated.
- If .NET Framework isn’t installed, it will be installed by the Detect Desktop installer. However, it will require elevation (if the user is a regular user) or consent (if the user is an admin user).
MSI for machine-wide per-user install (WDD-Setup.msi)
The MSI for per-user deployment adds the Workshare Detect Desktop per-user install machine-wide. The per-user install (see above) is run for each user as they log in.
Points to consider:
- This install works best for companies who want Detect Desktop to update automatically and typically only have one primary user per device.
- Workshare Detect Desktop is installed upon user login.
- Detect Desktop is installed to %LOCALAPPDATA% for each user.
- Each user has their own version of Detect Desktop installed which is maintained independently from other users.
- Automatic updates are downloaded and installed for each user.
- Uninstalling the MSI installer will not uninstall any instance of Detect Desktop from any user.
MSI for machine-wide per-machine install (Workshare.Detect.Setup.msi)
The MSI for single installation deployment installs Workshare Detect Desktop machine-wide. It is installed to Program Files and user data is stored separately in %ROAMINGAPPDATA%. Using this method, updates are the responsibility of the system administrator.
Points to consider:
- This install works best for companies in which multiple employees use the same machine such as terminal servers, and/or who want to control which version they use.
- Single installation on a machine means a smaller hard drive footprint.
- Only an x64 version is available.
- All user-related data (workspace info, preferences, logs) is stored in %ROAMINGAPPDATA%.
- IT maintenance required to keep Detect Desktop up-to-date.