Common Windows Applications

Problem Overview

Setting up new devices can be time-consuming, especially for IT professionals and MSPs managing hundreds or thousands of machines with varying client requirements. While imaging devices is an option, images can quickly become outdated and fail to address unique client needs. This automation ensures consistent and efficient software installations using the built-in winget action in Level, without requiring coding skills.

Description

This automation simplifies the installation process for essential applications on Windows desktop operating systems. By tagging a device with “Setup” or triggering it manually, the automation installs a curated list of commonly used applications, including browsers (Edge, Chrome, Firefox), productivity tools (1Password, Zoom, Teams, Notion), utilities (7Zip, VLC Media Player, Adobe Reader), and cloud storage apps (Dropbox, OneDrive). Designed as an example resource, it offers flexibility to add or remove actions based on client needs.

Preview

Use Cases

• MSPs onboarding new clients: Quickly configure devices with standard applications.
• Internal IT teams: Maintain consistent setups across departments or teams.
• Client-specific setups: Tailor installations to individual client requirements.
• Time-saving solution: Eliminate manual application installation for large deployments.

Recommendations

• Testing: Test this automation on a single device before scaling to multiple machines to ensure all applications install correctly.
• Customizing: Use this resource as a template and modify the app list to match your organization’s needs.
• Getting started: Ensure the target devices are running Windows and have winget support enabled.
• Tagging: Use the “Setup” tag strategically for devices that require application provisioning.
• Updates: Periodically review and update the app list to ensure the latest versions are installed. Better yet, ensure you update 3rd party applications as part of your patching process on Windows. See our Windows Patch Automation.

FAQ

• What happens if an app is already installed on the device?‍
  Winget will skip applications that are already installed, ensuring no duplicate installations.

• Can I modify the list of applications?
  ‍Absolutely. The interface allows you to add or remove apps easily.

• What operating systems are supported?
  ‍This automation is designed for Windows desktop operating systems with winget enabled.

• How do I trigger the automation?
  ‍You can run the automation manually or by applying the “Setup” tag to a device.

• Do I need coding knowledge to use this?
  ‍No coding is required. This automation leverages Level’s native winget action.