How to Install and Remove Soda PDF via GPO

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Fabian D.
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This guide details how to install and uninstall Soda PDF Desktop using Group Policy Objects (GPO). It covers command lines for installation, activation steps, and two methods to uninstall Soda PDF.

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.

 

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\" /quiet
 

Activating 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" /quiet
 

Available 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)

 

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

 

Installing Soda PDF Using GPO

Custom Script Installation

  1. Create the Script:

    • Write a batch script with the necessary installation command lines.
    • Save the script with a .bat extension.

  2. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

 

Uninstalling Soda PDF via GPO

Method 1 - Using a Script

You can use a PowerShell script to remove all Soda PDF MSIs at once.

Uninstallation Script:

$uninstall32 = gci "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall" | foreach { gp $_.PSPath } | ? { $_ -match "Soda PDF Desktop" } | select UninstallString $uninstall64 = gci "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall" | foreach { gp $_.PSPath } | ? { $_ -match "Soda PDF Desktop" } | select UninstallString if ($uninstall64) { $uninstall64 = $uninstall64.UninstallString -Replace "msiexec.exe", "" -Replace "/I", "" -Replace "/X", "" start-process "msiexec.exe" -arg "/X $uninstall64 /qb" -Wait } if ($uninstall32) { $uninstall32 = $uninstall32.UninstallString -Replace "msiexec.exe", "" -Replace "/I", "" -Replace "/X", "" start-process "msiexec.exe" -arg "/X $uninstall32 /qb" -Wait }

Apply the script through GPO in the same way you would for installation (under Startup Scripts).

 

Method 2 - MSI-by-MSI Uninstallation

To manually remove each MSI:

  1. Open Group Policy Management Editor.
  2. Navigate to Software Installation under Computer Configuration -> Policies.
  3. Right-click each installed MSI and select All Tasks -> Remove.
  4. Choose the removal method, then click OK.

Repeat for each installed MSI until all modules are uninstalled.

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