Win32 Application Packaging

This guide will provide background information on creating an application package file that can be uploaded during the creation or modification process of a desired win32 app that you wish to deploy down to joined corporate Intune devices.

Win32 Apps

If you would like to deploy applications down to computers, you must package the application in a method that is recognizable to Intune. This involves gathering the application itself, and then using the Microsoft Win32 Content Prep Tool to package the app.

Role Requirements

Procedure Scope: Administrators

Required Group Membership: Admin.Security

Handbook Reference

Package: TBD

Domain: TBD

Modifies: TBD

Device Win32 Application Packaging

When packaging an app, you are allowed to use either EXE or MSI applications. One thing to note, however, is that MSI files will be much easier to setup, and it is recommended that MSI files are used exclusively. EXE can work, but there are a couple of extra steps involved.

1. Download the Win32 Content Prep Tool from GitHub, by following the links in Microsoft’s documentation, or by finding the Win32 folder included in the deployment package provided. Ensure you have the IntuneWinAppUtil.exe application.
   
2. To make the process as easy as possible, we include a Win32 Apps folder in the deployment package. If you do not use the included one, you can replicate it by creating a parent folder by the name of Win32 Apps with the child folders Unaltered Installers and Win32 Installer, along with the IntuneWinAppUtil.exe application at the very bottom.
   
3. Within the Unaltered Installers folder, create a new folder with the name of the app you wish to deploy. For this demonstration we will be using Chrome.
   
4. Place all the installation files within the folder. While Chrome only has a single file, others may have multiple. Whatever the case is, place the installer files within the folder as they are provided by the software.
   
5. With the files in place, navigate back to the Win32 Apps Right click on the IntuneWinAppUtil.exe file and select Run as Administrator.
   
6. Upon opening the application, you will be presented with a prompt to specify the Source Folder. This is simply the app folder you made in the Unaltered Installers A quick way to find this is simply copy the path from the file explorer window as shown and paste it into the command prompt window. Click Enter.
   
7. The next prompt will ask for the setup file. This is the file which will be executed to start the setup. To find the path for this, right-click the file and select Copy as Path, and then paste into the command prompt window. Click Enter.
   
8. Finally, it will ask for a destination folder. Navigate to the Win32 Installers folder and create a new folder with the name of the application. Copy the file explorer path as before and paste into the console. Click Enter.
   
9. It will ask about a catalog folder; input N and click Enter.
   
10. Refresh the Win32 Installers folder; you should see a new file with a .intunewin extension.
    

Need Assistance?