I used to use software deployment programs when building PC's for friends and relatives and they can save a lot of time in doing repetitive things.

They often work by capturing an original installation for what is essentially one click style operation elsewhere.

However, software such as this should also include a way of rolling back an installation as this is also an invaluable tool for issue diagnosis when rolling out and from what I can see,this doesn't seem to have that capability.

The fact that they have a file list seems very odd, as I would expect this kind of program to cope with any installation.

So it would seem that somebody has essentially sat and installed a specific range of software and captured the installation for one click install for end users, perhaps based upon things that are often installed.

If this is the case though then it would seem that any choices that are made by a user when installing are taken away from them, which might not suit all needs.

The information on the website is very limited and the videos are a joke. No commentary and way too short to really show anything that an IT professional would consider useful.

So no way is this for professionals although it may have some use for hobbyists to a point, as long as they understand and are happy with the kind of automated, limited scope that this offering seems to offer.

Probably worth a try for some that can see benefit but I think for most, the blurb is either too vague or misleading and the sparse nature of the website makes me think that it's just not worth pursuing an evaluation.

Perhaps they could look at automating steps used to build a truly professional website to try and better represent what it is that they are selling, to their professional target market.

Quite possible a missed opportunity here and I would look elsewhere without hesitation right now if I was in the market for such a tool.

PhilS  –  7 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+42)

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PhilS,

"I used to use software deployment programs when building PC's for friends and relatives and they can save a lot of time in doing repetitive things."

The Windows 10 AIK seems to be improving with each new release of 10, and while some of the features can get involved, for the most part it's pretty usable for non-pros. IMHO it's worth a look if you're doing that sort of thing.

It should also be [IMHO very] possible to do a complete Windows 10 install, complete with software, then restore a image backup pretty much wherever you want, not just on identical hardware. Windows 10 is much better than earlier versions when it comes to taking a working Windows install & running it on different hardware -- no mods on your part or migration software. For example, & as far as I can tell, Windows To Go is basically a normal 10 install with 2 partitions instead of 4, eliminating Bitlocker & Recovery, intended to run on whatever hardware you plug the USB drive into. I think that basically cloning a Windows plus software install might be simpler/easier than the AIK in some cases, though I'd make sure it had both UEFI & Legacy boot files in place to eliminate potentially hassling with that stuff later.

I used to keep a Windows 7 VM up to date, including a basic roundup of software, then restore an image of the VHD on new hardware, run Paragon's Migration software, & I was more-or-less done, just having to add the latest graphics & possibly audio drivers. Should be even easier to do that with 10.

"So no way is this for professionals"

Agreed... I could see someone say running a small store or other small biz with zero IT budget buying 3 - 4 identical PCs & maybe using something like OneClick! Installer 3 to set them up. I think lots of IT shops, in businesses large enough to have an IT shop, use app virtualization OTOH, e.g. Citrix, or maybe they'll use web apps packaged via the store, or Office 365 via the store etc., so software installation isn't as much an issue.

PhilS, <i>"I used to use software deployment programs when building PC's for friends and relatives and they can save a lot of time in doing repetitive things."</i> The Windows 10 AIK seems to be improving with each new release of 10, and while some of the features can get involved, for the most part it's pretty usable for non-pros. IMHO it's worth a look if you're doing that sort of thing. It should also be [IMHO very] possible to do a complete Windows 10 install, complete with software, then restore a image backup pretty much wherever you want, not just on identical hardware. Windows 10 is much better than earlier versions when it comes to taking a working Windows install & running it on different hardware -- no mods on your part or migration software. For example, & as far as I can tell, Windows To Go is basically a normal 10 install with 2 partitions instead of 4, eliminating Bitlocker & Recovery, intended to run on whatever hardware you plug the USB drive into. I think that basically cloning a Windows plus software install might be simpler/easier than the AIK in some cases, though I'd make sure it had both UEFI & Legacy boot files in place to eliminate potentially hassling with that stuff later. I used to keep a Windows 7 VM up to date, including a basic roundup of software, then restore an image of the VHD on new hardware, run Paragon's Migration software, & I was more-or-less done, just having to add the latest graphics & possibly audio drivers. Should be even easier to do that with 10. <i>"So no way is this for professionals"</i> Agreed... I could see someone say running a small store or other small biz with zero IT budget buying 3 - 4 identical PCs & maybe using something like OneClick! Installer 3 to set them up. I think lots of IT shops, in businesses large enough to have an IT shop, use app virtualization OTOH, e.g. Citrix, or maybe they'll use web apps packaged via the store, or Office 365 via the store etc., so software installation isn't as much an issue.
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mike  –  7 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+7)

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It is not as simple as the developer wants you to think. You have to do a full install on all if your software in order to train the software to remember the sequence of feeding the CDs and DVDs and or USBs to make a full install. What is actually doing, is creating a batch file of your installation. If you forget something or make an error the first time you do it, it will remember the same error(s) or omissions the next time you run it.

Furthermore, it is not automated, you need to feed the same CDs and DVDs and USBs next time you do installation. It is much better, faster and error free if you just make a drive copy of your original installation and keep it as a master install instead, that way, you have the GAOTD software and other software installed that does not have CDs or DVDs.

Samantha  –  7 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+32)

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I have a new HDD that I need to setup. I have all the drivers downloaded for my HP laptop. Could use this program to automate the driver packages installations sequentially?

Teri  –  7 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (0)

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Teri, this software remembers your typing, mouse movements, clicks, opening and closing software, if you do not know how to install it the first time, this software can not help you. You have to know more then this software does, if you do not succeed to install the drivers by yourself the first time, this software will be useless the second time around, it will repeat the same mistakes.

Teri, this software remembers your typing, mouse movements, clicks, opening and closing software, if you do not know how to install it the first time, this software can not help you. You have to know more then this software does, if you do not succeed to install the drivers by yourself the first time, this software will be useless the second time around, it will repeat the same mistakes.
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Samantha  –  7 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+17)

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Will pass on this program. Looking at the "List" of programs it has to install you need to be a computer geek to know WHAT you are doing and what's needed to be installed. Very useful for people who build computers for friends etc. but not for ever day use by people who already have a computer setup.

tommo  –  7 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+16)

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