How do I make application installation optional in the deployment wizard (MDT)?

Applies to: Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 8456 and later
Last updated: May 2025

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Problem

You want users (or technicians) to choose which applications to install during the deployment process—rather than forcing all applications to install every time.

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Solution

MDT allows you to configure the deployment wizard to display a list of applications for optional installation. You simply need to enable the application selection page and assign applications to appear there.

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Step-by-Step Guide

1. Import Applications Normally

Ensure all desired applications are already imported into:

• Deployment Workbench > Deployment Share > Applications

Each application should have a proper silent install command.

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2. Enable the Application Selection Page

Open your CustomSettings.ini file:

• Located at <DeploymentShare>\Control\CustomSettings.ini

Add or update the following lines:

[Settings]
Priority=Default

[Default]
SkipApplications=NO

Setting SkipApplications=NO tells MDT to show the application selection page during deployment.

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3. Customize Display Names and Order (Optional)

You can modify how apps appear in the wizard:

• Go to each application’s properties in Deployment Workbench.
• Use the “Command line”, “Name”, and “Comments” fields to add useful details.

Applications are listed in alphabetical order by default.

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4. Assign Applications to the Wizard Page

When importing or editing an application:

• In the Application Properties, go to the General tab
• Make sure “Hide this application in the Deployment Wizard” is unchecked
• This ensures it appears as a selectable item in the wizard

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5. (Optional) Preselect Applications

If you want certain apps to be preselected by default:

• Use Applications001={GUID} in CustomSettings.ini

You can find the app’s GUID by opening its properties in Deployment Workbench and viewing the ID.

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Example CustomSettings.ini

[Settings]
Priority=Default

[Default]
SkipApplications=NO
Applications001={a1b2c3d4-5678-90ab-cdef-1234567890ab}

This will show the app selection screen and pre-check one application by default.

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Notes

• The application selection page only appears after the OS selection, so be sure to test in full deployment context.
• You can combine this with other skip options to tailor how interactive your deployment is.
• Application installation logs are found in:
  • C:\MININT\SMSOSD\OSDLOGS\
  • C:\Windows\Temp\DeploymentLogs