Automate ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Desktop installation and upgrade in multiple machines

Summary

The problem addressed in this article is the challenge of automating the installation and upgrading of ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Desktop processes on multiple machines. The solution proposed is an automated installation process using a batch file script, which simplifies and streamlines the deployment across numerous computers, ensuring consistency and saving time and resources. 

Procedure

Acquire the Installation Files 

1. Download the Installer: Download the .exe file for ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS Desktop from My Esri.

2. For ArcGIS Pro, run the .exe file to retrieve the ArcGISPro.msi and ArcGISPro.cab files, the same for ArcGIS Desktop to extract the Setup.exe file.

3. During the extraction, uncheck the Launch the setup program option shown in the image above, and click Close.
4. Place the executable file (.msi for Pro, .exe for Desktop) and .cab files in a shared network folder accessible to all the client machines.

Create the Batch File 

To automate the installation and upgrade process, the idea is to run it silently. However, its command will not be executed from the command prompt as usual, but will be preconfigured and executed with a batch file, which stores commands and helps automate tasks.

These official resources explain all the parameters that can be used to build the command depending whether you are working with ArcGIS Pro or ArcMap:

• Install ArcGIS Pro silently
• Installing ArcGIS Desktop silently

For this article's purpose, the most generic command is used as an example to explain how this batch file is created and executed.

1. Open a text editor such as Notepad, and enter the script below:

Example for ArcGIS Pro

@echo off  
set InstallerPath=<Network_Shared_Folder>\ArcGISPro.msi  
msiexec.exe /i "%InstallerPath%" ALLUSERS=1 ACCEPTEULA=YES /qb  
pause 

Note: 
Without the INSTALLDIR parameter, the script uses the default installation location, which is %SystemDrive%\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro and %SystemDrive%\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.8

Example for ArcMap:

@echo off  
set InstallerPath=<Network_Shared_Folder>\Setup.exe 
"%InstallerPath%" ACCEPTEULA=YES /qb  
pause

Note: 
With regard to the license, a license type configuration can be predefined depending on the values used in the AUTHORIZATION_TYPE (equivalent to SEAT_PREFERENCE in ArcMap) and SOFTWARE_CLASS parameters. If those parameters are not used, ArcMap requests a license with the ArcGIS Administrator, while ArcGIS Pro requests the ArcGIS Online credentials to use the default Named User license.

2. Save as a  batch file, click File > Save as.

3. Select All files and save the file as .bat.

4. Ensure this file is stored in the shared network folder.

Installation/Upgrade Process 

From the client machine where the program will be either installed or upgraded, navigate to the shared folder and execute the batch file to start the installation. Running the batch file on multiple desktops may be automated by your IT department, depending on the scale of the organization.