A silent installation is an installation process in which an application is installed without interaction from the admin. This means that no input is required in the installation process and the installation is performed automatically.
A silent installation is unavoidable when a large number of computers are on a network. If an application needs to be installed or updated across the board on these devices, silent installation offers great potential to increase efficiency.
The process of silent installation and the role of software distribution
An important application of silent installation is software distribution. Organizations can create an application as a silent installation package and distribute it over a network. The application is then distributed to individual computers via software distribution software. This also simplifies the implementation of software updates, patches and bug fixes.
The creation of a silent installation package requires special knowledge of software packaging, which is why it is not uncommon for it to be performed by external experts who have the appropriate tools and the necessary know-how.
For example, a silent installation package must be specially configured to install without user input. This requires setting default installation settings and disabling user interactions.
Silent installation – benefits for users and administrators
For both endpoint users and network administrators, the silent installation process offers numerous potentials.
The biggest advantage of silent installation is that the process saves time and resources. Since no user input is required, an application can be installed in less time. This is especially useful when a large number of computers need new or updated software.
In addition, automated silent installations prevent installation errors caused by user input. In most cases, users do not have the expertise to run installation dialogs, nor do they have administrative rights that authorize them to install software.
For this reason, silent installations are always run in the background, so the process is hidden from users without admin privileges. Predefined settings and configurations also provide optimal control over the installation.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about silent installation
What is a silent installation?
A silent installation is an installation process where no user input is required and all necessary settings and configurations are specified in advance.
What are the advantages for companies to perform a silent installation?
A silent installation is useful when an application needs to be installed on a large number of computers. The automated process saves time and resources as no user input is required.
How to create a silent installation package?
A silent installation package can be created using special software packaging tools if the application has not already been prepared accordingly by the vendor. The application must be configured to install without user input by setting custom installation and configuration settings.
Why is a silent installation necessary?
As soon as software is to be installed on a large number of computers, a silent installation is necessary, since users do not have administrative rights for security reasons. For this reason, silent installations must be performed in an administrative context.