This guide explains how to deploy Soda PDF Desktop using Group Policy Objects (GPO). It covers command lines for installation and activation steps.
Topics:
GPO Package & Activation
Download the Soda PDF Installation Package
Make sure you download the correct version of the Soda PDF package for your deployment:
You will create an administrative image for deployment across the network. The GPO package includes several MSI files, allowing selective or full installation based on your needs. If bandwidth is a concern, you can install only the necessary modules, but please note that the Startup MSI needs to be installed first. Then any of the other modules can be installed, and the order of installation doesn’t matter.
Creating an Administrative Installation Point
To set up an administrative installation point, use the /a parameter. Specify the target directory where the server image will be created. This server image can be reused for future deployments.
Command Example:
msiexec.exe /a "soda-desktop14-startup-14.0.20.19644-x86.msi" TARGETDIR="C:\Deployment\" /quietActivating Soda PDF with a License Key
When deploying via GPO, you must activate Soda PDF by adding the product key to the startup MSI command. Include the license key as a parameter:
Command Example:
msiexec.exe /a "soda-desktop14-startup-14.0.20.19644-x86.msi" TARGETDIR="C:\Deployment\" PRODKEY="XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" /quietAvailable MSIs and Custom Parameters
You can customize the installation by adding parameters to the startup MSI. Below are some of the MSIs and their respective commands:
| MSI File | Command Example |
| Startup | msiexec.exe /a "soda-desktop14-startup-14.0.20.19644-x86.msi" TARGETDIR="C:\Deployment\" /quiet |
| OCR Tess Module | msiexec.exe /a "soda-desktop14-ocr-tess-module-14.0.20.19644-x86.msi" TARGETDIR="C:\Deployment\" /quiet |
| OCR Module | msiexec.exe /a "soda-desktop14-ocr-module-14.0.20.19644-x86.msi" TARGETDIR="C:\Deployment\" /quiet |
| Edit Module | msiexec.exe /a "soda-desktop14-edit-module-14.0.20.19644-x86.msi" TARGETDIR="C:\Deployment\" /quiet |
List of Installation Parameters
Below are common parameters used to customize the installation:
| Parameter | Description | Values |
|---|---|---|
CREATE_DESKTOP_SHORTCUT |
Creates a desktop shortcut. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
CREATE_QUICK_LAUNCH_SHORTCUT |
Creates a quick launch shortcut. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_AUTOMATIC_UPDATES |
Enables automatic updates. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
SET_AS_DEFAULT_APPLICATION |
Sets Soda PDF as the default PDF application. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
APPLICATION_LANGUAGE |
Specifies the language for the application. | Language code (e.g., en, fr, de) |
PRODKEY |
Activates the application on 1 machine. | =”XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX” |
ENABLE_BUSINESS |
Installs the B2B version. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_ONE_DRIVE |
Enables OneDrive (Software\ Soda PDF Desktop 14\Drives\onedrive). | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_ONE_DRIVE_BUSINESS |
Enables OneDrive for Business (Software\Soda PDF Desktop 14\Drives\onedrive-business). | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_DROPBOX_DRIVE |
Enables Dropbox (Software\Soda PDF Desktop 14\Drives\dropbox). | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_DROPBOX_BUSINESS_DRIVE |
Enables Dropbox for Business (Software\Soda PDF Desktop 14\Drives\dropbox-business). | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_GOOGLE_DRIVE |
Enables Google Drive (Software\Soda PDF Desktop 14\Drives\googledrive). | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_BOX_DRIVE |
Enables Box (Software\Soda PDF Desktop 14\Drives\box). | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_SHAREPOINT_DRIVE |
Enables SharePoint (Software\Soda PDF Desktop 14\Drives\sharepoint). | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_SEND_FILE |
Enables Send feature (Software\Soda PDF Desktop 14\Drives\send). | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_DRIVES |
Enables all drives (Software\Soda PDF Desktop 14\Drives\drives). | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
APPLICATION_SUBSYSTEM |
Sets the activation type: license or subscription. *NOTE: available in the main (startup) MSI. |
license / subscription |
ENABLE_MESSAGE_CENTER |
Enables Message Center on the Home page. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_CHECK_UPDATES |
Enables Check for Updates. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_IE_PREVIEW |
Enables Internet Explorer Preview. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_SHELL_PREVIEW |
Enables Shell Preview. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_FIREFOX_PREVIEW |
Enables Firefox Preview. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_CONTEXT_MENU_ EXTENSION |
Enables context menus. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_MSOFFICE_FEATURES |
Enables Microsoft Office add-on. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_BROWSERS_FEATURES |
Enables IE and Firefox browsers. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
ENABLE_SHELL_THUMBNAIL |
Enables the thumbnail i.e. the small logo icon on the PDFs. | 1 = Yes, 0 = No |
Example Command with Parameters
Below is an example command incorporating multiple parameters:
msiexec.exe /a "soda-desktop14-startup-14.0.20.19644-x86.msi" TARGETDIR="C:\Deployment\" PRODKEY="XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" ENABLE_AUTOMATIC_UPDATES=1 CREATE_QUICK_LAUNCH_SHORTCUT=1 SET_AS_DEFAULT_APPLICATION=0 APPLICATION_LANGUAGE="fr" /quiet
Language Codes
| Language | Code |
|---|---|
| English | en |
| French | fr |
| German | de |
| Spanish | es |
| Italian | it |
| Japanese | ja |
| Russian | ru |
| Portuguese | pt |
| Ukrainian | uk |
Installing Soda PDF Using GPO
Custom Script Installation
-
Create the Script:
- Write a batch script with the necessary installation command lines.
- Save the script with a
.batextension.
-
Apply the Script via GPO:
- Open Group Policy Management and right-click the appropriate organizational unit (OU).
- Select Create a GPO in this domain, and link it here….
- Name the GPO, then right-click and select Edit.
- Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Policies -> Windows Settings -> Scripts (Startup/Shutdown).
- In Startup Properties, click Add… and browse to the folder containing the batch file.
- Click Apply, then OK.
Soda PDF will be installed the next time users log in.
Standard Installation via GPO
-
Create the GPO:
- Follow the steps above to create and link a new GPO.
- In the Group Policy Management Editor, navigate to Computer Configuration -> Policies -> Software Settings -> Software Installation.
- Right-click and select New -> Package.
-
Add the Soda PDF MSIs:
- Browse to the folder containing the MSIs.
- Select the startup MSI first and click Open.
- In the Deploy Software dialog box, choose Assigned.
Repeat these steps for each additional MSI you want to install. Soda PDF will be installed at the next user login.