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.

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).

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. 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.

Configure Installation Options for Windows

For Windows, you can configure the following installation options:

• Automatic installation: Venn will download the app in the background. You provide the installer using the publicly available Winget platform or by uploading an installer file (.exe, .msi, or .msix).
• Manual installation: Venn will surface the link you provide to the URL where the user should download the app.

Automatic Installation: Winget

To configure automatic installation using Winget:

1. Get the Winget package ID 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. Venn will add the silent install parameter on the client side.
7. 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.
8. Click Save in the top right.

Automatic Installation: Installer File

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: Download Link

To provide a link to the installer for the application so that the user can manually install it:

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: Venn will download the app in the background. You upload an installer file (.pkg or .dmg).
• Manual installation: Venn will surface the link you provide to the URL where the user should download the app.

Automatic Installation: Installer File

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 for Windows and Mac

To provide a link to the installer for the application so that the user can manually install it:

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.