Configure App Installation Options

In order to launch apps in Blue Border, users must have the app installed on their device. If users are assigned an app that isn’t installed on their computer, it will appear with a download icon in Workplace, and users will not be able to launch the app until they have installed it.

Workplace Desktop_Launch_Uninstalled App.png

Company Managers can configure installation options for all apps in Venn for Windows and Mac so that users can install the work apps that they need quickly and easily. Instead of having to figure out how to download the app, you can make the process simple for your users. 

When users go to launch an app that isn't installed on their device in Blue Border, they'll be prompted to have Venn Install for me (automatic installation; Venn downloads the app in the background using the installer you provided) or Get installer (manual installation; the URL directing users to where they need to install the app opens outside of Blue Border).

Installation Options.png

We recommend configuring automatic and/or manual installation for Windows and Mac for all apps you want users to use in Blue Border to enable easy user onboarding.

View Installation Options

To view the installation options for an app:

  1. Navigate to the Admin Portal.
    • In your browser, go to https://login.venn.com/ and sign in if prompted. Then, click Open Admin Portal.
    • From the desktop app, click the Open web app icon.png Open web app icon. Then, click Company Admin in the top right.
  2. Click All apps and you will be brought to the Windows & macOS list.
  3. Click the name of the app you would like to view installation options for.
  4. Click the Installation tab.

On the installation tab, you will see whether or not automatic and/or manual installation are configured for the app.

Company admin_All Apps_App Detail_Installation.png

Configure Installation Options for Windows

For Windows, you can configure the following installation options:

  • Automatic installation with managed installers (recommended for all publicly available apps): Users can choose to have Venn download the app in the background for them. You provide the package ID from the publicly available Winget platform, and it's maintained for your automatically.
  • Automatic installation with an installer file (recommended for custom apps not available via Winget): Users can choose to have Venn download the app in the background for them. You provide the installer by uploading an installer file (.exe, .msi, or .msix) and maintain it as needed.
  • Manual installation: Users can choose to click a link to bring them to the URL where they should download the app (opens outside of Blue Border). You provide to the URL, and maintain it as needed.
You can choose to enable both automatic and manual installation. In this case, users will have the option to have Venn install the app for them or to get the installer themselves.

Automatic Installation with Managed Installers (Winget)

Automatic installation with managed installers allows users to choose to have Venn download the app in the background for them. You provide the package ID from the publicly available Winget platform, and it's maintained for your automatically.

To configure automatic installation with managed installers (using Winget):

  1. Get the Winget package ID for the app on the Winget site.
    1. Search for the app by name.
    2. Copy the code under How to install.
    3. Use the portion of the code after 'winget install -e --id' as the Install package ID. For example, the code for Google Chrome is 'winget install -e --id Google.Chrome' and the Install package ID is 'Google.Chrome'.
  2. Follow the steps above to navigate to the Installation tab of the app you would like to configure automatic installation for.
  3. Check the boxes next to Windows and Enable automatic installation.
  4. Select Winget Package ID.
  5. Input the Install package ID.
  6. Optionally, specify Install parameters. For example, you may want to specify an install path or component selection. If left blank, this will default to silent install, meaning that the software will install without user interaction.
  7. Click Save in the top right.
Automatic Installation with Managed Installers_Windows.png

Automatic Installation with Installer File

Automatic installation with an installer file allows users to choose to have Venn download the app in the background for them. You provide the installer by uploading an installer file (.exe, .msi, or .msix) and maintain it as needed.

To configure automatic installation by uploading an installer file:

  1. Follow the steps above to navigate to the Installation tab of the app you would like to configure automatic installation for.
  2. Check the boxes next to Windows and Enable automatic installation.
  3. Select Installer file.
  4. Upload the .exe, .msi, or .msix installer file.
  5. Optionally, specify Install parameters. For example, you may want to specify an install path or component selection. If left blank, this will default to silent install, meaning that the software will install without user interaction.
  6. Optionally, check Install using admin rights, which allows the app to be installed for all users on a computer.
  7. Click Save in the top right.

Manual Installation with a Download Link

Automatic installation with managed installers allows users to choose to click a link to bring them to the URL where they should download the app (opens outside of Blue Border). You provide to the URL, and maintain it as needed.

To enable manual installation:

  1. Follow the steps above to navigate to the Installation tab of the app you would like to configure automatic installation for.
  2. Check the boxes next to Windows and Enable manual installation.
  3. Add the URL in the required field.
  4. Click Save in the top right.

Configure Installation Options for Mac

For Mac, you can configure the following installation options:

  • Automatic installation with managed installers (recommended for all publicly available apps): Users can choose to have Venn download the app in the background for them. You provide the cask token from the publicly available Homebrew platform, and it's maintained for your automatically.
  • Automatic installation (recommended for custom apps not available via Homebrew): Users can choose to have Venn download the app in the background for them. You provide the installer by uploading an installer file (.pkg or .dmg) and maintain it as needed.
  • Manual installation: Users can choose to click a link to bring them to the URL where they should download the app (opens outside of Blue Border). You provide to the URL, and maintain it as needed.
You can choose to enable both automatic and manual installation. In this case, users will have the option to have Venn install the app for them or to get the installer themselves.

Automatic Installation with Managed Installers (Homebrew)

Automatic installation with managed installers allows users to choose to have Venn download the app in the background for them. You provide the cask token from the publicly available Homebrew platform, and it's maintained for your automatically.

To configure automatic installation with managed installers (using Homebrew):

  1. Get the Homebrew cask token for the app on the Homebrew site.
    1. Search for the app by name.
    2. The token will be the header on the app page. For example, the token for Google Chrome is “google-chrome.”
  2. Follow the steps above to navigate to the Installation tab of the app you would like to configure automatic installation for.
  3. Check the boxes next to Windows and Enable automatic installation.
  4. Select Winget Package ID.
  5. Input the Install package ID.
  6. Optionally, specify Install parameters. For example, you may want to specify an install path or component selection. If left blank, this will default to silent install, meaning that the software will install without user interaction.
  7. Click Save in the top right.

Automatic Installation with Installer File

Automatic installation with an installer file allows users to choose to have Venn download the app in the background for them. You provide the installer by uploading an installer file (.pkg or .dmg) and maintain it as needed.

To configure automatic installation by uploading an installer file:

  1. Follow the steps above to navigate to the Installation tab of the app you would like to configure automatic installation for.
  2. Check the boxes next to Mac and Enable automatic installation. The Installer file option will automatically be selected.
  3. Upload the .pkg or .dmg installer file.
  4. Optionally, specify Install parameters. For example, you may want to specify an install path or component selection. If left blank, this will default to silent install, meaning that the software will install without user interaction.
  5. Optionally, check Install using admin rights, which allows the app to be installed for all users on a computer.
  6. Click Save in the top right.

Manual Installation with a Download Link

Automatic installation with managed installers allows users to choose to click a link to bring them to the URL where they should download the app (opens outside of Blue Border). You provide to the URL, and maintain it as needed.

To enable manual installation:

  1. Follow the steps above to navigate to the Installation tab of the app you would like to configure automatic installation for.
  2. Check the boxes next to Mac and Enable manual installation.
  3. Add the URL in the required field.
  4. Click Save in the top right.

Was this article helpful?