| Property | Values | Purpose |
|----------|--------|---------|
| LICENSE_KEY | XXXXX-XXXXX-... | Required for some editions |
| INSTALL_LICENSE_TYPE | 1=Personal, 2=Volume | Avoids license prompt |
| INSTALLDIR | "C:\Program Files\..." | Custom install path |
| ADDLOCAL | ALL, or feature list | Control which components install |
| REMOVE | Feature list | Exclude specific components |
| ACTIVDRIVER | 0 or 1 | Install ActivDriver (board drivers) |
| ALLUSERS | 1 | Per-machine install (recommended) |
If you need the exact MSI switches or a sample deployment script for your environment, let me know.
For IT administrators, the "silent install" of Promethean ActivInspire is less about a single magic switch and more about a strategic two-step journey: Extraction and Deployment. 1. The Extraction: Creating the MSI
Before you can run a silent command, you must extract the raw .msi files from the main executable. This is known as a Network Installation.
Launch Network Mode: Download the ActivInspire executable. Open a command prompt or the "Run" dialog and drag the file into it. Add a /a switch at the end of the path (e.g., ActivInspire_setup.exe /a).
Choose Components: The installer will prompt you for a "Network Install" location.
Output: This process generates individual MSI files for the main application, core resources, and help files (e.g., ActivInspire.msi, ActivInspireMainRes.msi). 2. The Silent Deployment: Commands
Once you have the .msi files, you can deploy them silently using standard Windows Installer switches via tools like Microsoft Intune or SCCM.
Main Application:msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspire.msi" /qn /norestart Board Drivers:msiexec.exe /i "bc016a.msi" /qn /norestart activinspire silent install
Core Resources:msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspireMainRes.msi" /qn /norestart Key Deployment Tips ActivInspire Network Install Instructions for Windows
ActivInspire is a staple in modern classrooms, but for IT administrators, deploying it across hundreds of machines manually is a nightmare. A silent install allows you to push the software to every computer in your network without a single manual click on the client side.
This guide covers everything you need to perform a seamless ActivInspire silent installation using the MSI installer and command-line arguments. Prerequisites for a Silent Deployment
Before running your scripts, ensure you have the following assets ready:
The MSI Package: Download the latest Windows MSI installer from the Promethean Support portal.
Administrator Privileges: The command must be executed from an elevated Command Prompt or via a deployment tool like SCCM, PDQ Deploy, or Intune.
Dependencies: Ensure Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 or higher is present on the target machines. Basic Silent Install Command
The standard command to install ActivInspire silently uses the Windows Installer (msiexec.exe). The Syntax:msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspire.msi" /qn /norestart /i: Commands the engine to install the package. /qn: Sets the user interface level to "none" (Silent mode). If you need the exact MSI switches or
/norestart: Prevents the machine from rebooting automatically after completion. Customizing Your Installation
A "plain" install often isn't enough. You likely want to include the Core Resources or set the language. You can pass public properties to the MSI to customize the behavior. 1. Including Resource Packs
If you have the supplemental Resources MSI, install it immediately after the main application using the same /qn switch. 2. Specifying Installation Folder
If you need to change the default path:msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspire.msi" INSTALLDIR="C:\CustomFolder\Promethean" /qn 3. Handling Desktop Shortcuts
To prevent cluttering the student desktop, some admins prefer to manage shortcuts via Group Policy, but you can often toggle properties like SHORTCUT_DESKTOP=0 if supported by the specific version's transform file. Activation and Licensing
One of the biggest hurdles in a silent install is licensing. Manually entering a 20-digit key on 50 laptops is not feasible.
To automate this, you should use an Admin.ini file or a Transform file (.mst).
The .ini method: Create a file named admin.ini in the same directory as the MSI. Include your licensed user name, organization, and serial number. let me know.
For IT administrators
The MST method: Use a tool like Orca to create a Transform file that embeds your license key directly into the installation logic.
Command with Transform:msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspire.msi" TRANSFORMS="license.mst" /qn Troubleshooting Common Issues
Error 1603: This is a generic fatal error. Usually, it means a previous version of ActivInspire is partially installed. Always run a silent uninstall of older versions before pushing a new one.
Driver Issues: ActivInspire requires Promethean ActivHub drivers to work with hardware. These are often a separate MSI and must be deployed silently as well for the software to "see" the boards.
Log Files: Always generate a log during testing to see exactly where a silent install fails:msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspire.msi" /qn /L*V "C:\logs\activinstall.log" Final Verification
Once the deployment finishes, verify the install by checking:
Program Files: Ensure the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Promethean\ActivSoftware\Inspire exists.
Registry: Check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall for the ActivInspire entry.
By mastering the msiexec commands and leveraging transform files, you can turn a multi-day hardware rollout into a five-minute automated task.
msiexec /i "ActivInspire-2.x.xxxxx.msi" /qn /norestart /log "%temp%\ActivInspire_install.log"