In this article, I am going to cover how to deploy SQL Server Management Studio App (SSMS) Using Microsoft Intune. Deploying SSMS via Microsoft Intune as a Win32 app simplifies the distribution of this essential tool across enterprise environments.
The process involves converting the SSMS installer into a .intunewin package using the Microsoft Win32 Content Prep Tool. This ensures that the application is in a format compatible with Intune deployment. By configuring the app’s detection rules and dependencies, IT Admins can ensure seamless and targeted installation on end-user devices.
Intune allows administrators to set granular requirements and control installation behavior. For SSMS deployment, you can define system requirements like specific operating systems. Furthermore, you can use custom detection methods to validate whether SSMS has been successfully installed. These detection rules are critical for Intune to monitor deployment status and ensure compliance across managed devices.
Lastly, deploying SSMS through Intune provides additional benefits such as conditional access, compliance monitoring, and easy updates. Once deployed, updates to SSMS can be managed centrally by packaging newer versions as Win32 apps and pushing them via Intune. This method streamlines management, reduces manual intervention, and helps maintain consistency across your organization’s IT infrastructure.
Table of Contents
Download the SQL Server Management Studio App from the Official Site
This post will describe how to construct a SQL Server Management Studio App in Intune that is based on the Win32 app type. First, download the SSMS version 20.2.30.0 binary from the Microsoft Official Site URL: https://aka.ms/ssmsfullsetup.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Release number | 20.2 |
Build number | 20.2.30.0 |
Release date | July 9, 2024 |
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Repackage SQL Server Management Studio App to .intunewin Format
To repackage SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe file to SSMS-Setup-ENU.intunewin format we are using Microsoft Win32 Content Prep Tool. If you don’t have the tool handy, download it from GitHub’s official website, Microsoft Win 32 Content Prep Tool.
Execute the IntuneWinAppUtil.exe via the command prompt (admin) and specify the following details.
- Please specify the source folder: The folder where we downloaded and kept the SQL Server Management Studio software
- Please specify the setup file: Here, enter the setup file name as SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe
- Please specify the output folder: Provide the output folder location where they want to create SSMS-Setup-ENU.intunewin
- Do you want to specify the catalog folder (Y/N)? Type N.
Once you have all the required details and hit enter, the tool will validate and create the Intunewin app for you in the given output location.
Create SQL Server Management Studio App v20.2.30.0 Win32 App in Intune
Follow the below mentioned steps to create a SQL Server Management Studio v20.2.30.0 Win32 App in Microsoft Intune. First, Sign In to the Microsoft Intune Admin Center with your administrator credentials.
- Navigate to Apps > Windows >+Add
On the Select app type window under the App type drop down choose Windows app (Win32) and click on Select.
On the App information page, first, we have to select the “SSMS-Setup-ENU.intunewin” app package file, which was already created. Once you select the package, it will auto-populate the following information in Intune.
- Name: SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe
- Platform: Windows
- Size: 473.06MiB
- MAM Enabled: No
Now, we need to modify the App details, such as Name, Description, Publisher, and optional details like App version and category, Show this as a featured app in the Company Portal, Logo, etc., then click on Next.
In the Program pane, put the installation and uninstallation command line of the SQL Server Management Studio Application, we can find the recommanded commands from the offical site of the App and these two are the mandatory fields rest configure based on your need. then click on Next.
- Install command – SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe /install /quiet /norestart
- Uninstall command – SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe /uninstall /quiet /norestart
On the Requirements page, you will see the mandatory options below. Select the options as follows and hit Next.
- Operating system architecture: 64bit
- Minimum operating system: Windows 10 22H2
Add a Detection rule to Identify a Successful installation of SQL Server Management Studio App
In the Rules format, select the Manually Configure Detection Rules option in the dropdown. Now create a rule that indicates the presence of the SSMS Application in your device.
- Rule type: File
- Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 20\Common7\IDE
- File or folder: Ssms.exe
- Detection method: String (version)
- Operator: Equals
- Value: 20.2.30.0
- Associated with a 32-bit app on 64-bit clients: No (Default)
Similar to SCCM, Intune also allows to configure Dependencies and Supersedence. Here am not using these options, so leave the page as it is and click on Next.
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On the next page, Leave the Scope tags as No scope tags. If your tenant has default or custom scope tags, you can select them based on your policy needs then Click on Next.
Here, I am deploying the App to HTMD – Test Computers Device Group. To do that, click Add Group and select a Required device group under the Included Groups option. Not using any Filter in this example. You can also opt available deployment.
On the Review + Create page, carefully review all the settings you’ve defined for the SQL Server Management Studio v20.2.30.0. Once you’ve confirmed everything is correct, select “Create” to deploy the Win32 Application.
Monitor the SQL Server Management Studio App Deployment
The Win32 App has been deployed to the HTMD – Test Computers Entra ID Device groups. Once the devices are synced, the App deployment will take effect immediately. To monitor the deployment status from the Intune Portal, follow the steps below.
- Navigate to Apps > Windows > Search for the “SQL Server Management Studio – v20.2.30.0” Windows app (Win32).
- Under the Overview option, you can see the Device and User deployment statuses.
End User Experience – SQL Server Management Studio App Deployment
The SQL Server Management Studio will be installed on the targeted device since its deployment is in the required mode.
To confirm the successful App installation, Login to one of the targeted device and open the Company Portal on the targeted device and navigate to Downloads & updates. Search for the App We can see the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio – v20.2.30.0 is installed successfully.
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Author
Vaishnav K has over 11 years of experience in SCCM, Device Management, and Automation Solutions. He writes and imparts knowledge about Microsoft Intune, Azure, PowerShell scripting, and automation. Check out his profile on LinkedIn.