Step-by-Step Guide: Deploy Any Application Using Microsoft Intune (Win32 App)

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If you are new to Microsoft Intune or struggling to deploy applications, this guide will help you understand everything from scratch in very simple language.

We will cover:

  • How to prepare files
  • Convert app to Intune format
  • Test silent installation
  • Find install/uninstall commands
  • Configure in Intune

📁 Step 1: Create Source and Output Folder

First, create a clean folder structure. This is very important.

C:\Temp\IntuneApps\ABC\
│
├── Source\
│   └── Application.msi or .exe
│
└── Output\

For example:

👉 Source Folder = Where your app file is stored
👉 Output Folder = Where Intune package will be created

⬇️ Step 2: Download Intune Utility Tool

Download:

👉 Microsoft Win32 Content Prep Tool (IntuneWinAppUtil.exe)

This tool is required because Intune cannot directly use .exe or .msi files.
It converts them into .intunewin format

⚙️ Step 3: Convert App to Intune Format

Open Command Prompt (Run as Administrator)

Go to tool location:

cd C:\Temp\IntuneApps\Tool

Run:

IntuneWinAppUtil.exe

Now enter:

  • Source folder:
C:\Temp\IntuneApps\ABC\Source
  • Setup file:
Application.msi or .exe
  • Output folder:
C:\Temp\IntuneApps\ABC\Output

👉 Output will be:

Application.intunewin

For example:

🧪 Step 4: Test Silent Installation (VERY IMPORTANT)

Before uploading to Intune, always test silent install.

For MSI:

msiexec /i "Application.msi" ALLUSERS=1 /qn /norestart
  • /i → Install
  • /qn → Silent (no popup)
  • /norestart → No reboot
  • ALLUSERS=1 → Install for all users

How to Check if Installation Worked

After running command, check:

Program Files

C:\Program Files\

Control Panel

appwiz.cpl

App should be visible

Step 5: Find Silent Install Parameters

If you don’t know silent command:

Try:

Application.exe /?

OR:

Application.exe /silent
Application.exe /S
Application.exe /quiet

Every application is different — you must test manually

Step 6: Find Product Code (IMPORTANT)

Product Code is required for uninstall command and detection.

Method (PowerShell):

Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* |
Where-Object {$_.DisplayName -like "*AppName*"} |
Select DisplayName, UninstallString

Output example:

MsiExec.exe /I{GUID}

👉 Extract this:

{GUID}

That is your Product Code

For your reference:

Step 7: Upload App to Intune and configure

Follow the steps showing in screenshots:

Intune Admin Center → Apps → Windows → Add

Select:

👉 Windows app (Win32) ()

Upload your .intunewin file

Important Tips (Must Know)

✔ Always test silent install before Intune
✔ Always use FULL PATH in command
✔ Prefer MSI over EXE
✔ Use SYSTEM context for machine apps
✔ Use MSI detection for accuracy

Conclusion

Deploying apps using Intune may look complex, but if you follow these steps:

  1. Prepare folders
  2. Convert to .intunewin
  3. Test silent install
  4. Find product code
  5. Configure Intune

You can deploy any application successfully.

🚀 Bonus Tip

If your app installs in:

AppData\Local

👉 It is a user-based install
👉 Use User context deployment

!!! THANKS FOR READING !!!

Regards,
HARISH KUMAR

Knowledge is not a finite resource to hoard; it’s a boundless treasure that grows when shared

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