Skype for Business - Meetingsapp.msi - Install for all users

[timbo343]

As we are only lite users of the MS products and have Office2019 installed, is there a way to install the SkypeMeetingsApp.msi to ALL USERS rather than just to the local user profile as our users on the domain cannot install MSIs so we are unable to take conference calls from those who are wanting to meet with out staff.

 

We run mandatory profiles which doesnt help the situation either.

 

It would seem it's not possible to do and i'm hoping someone can correct me *fingers crossed*

[3s-gtech]

What Office license are you using? Pro Plus comes with SfB itself and you should be able to install it as part of the Office package. If you only have standard, the SfB install can interfere with the Office install.

 

Basically - can you modify your Office installs to directly deploy SfB?

[timbo343]

We have installed SfB as part of the Office 2019 Pro collection however our staff would need to login with their Office365 account. This is something the MAT haven't officially got as they have been concentrating on GSuite only and maybe something i need to bring to their attention - I'm wondering if this would work for the latest version of Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/skype/lifbcibllhkdhoafpjfnlhfpfgnpldfl.

 

Unofficially we still have our old tenant sat dormant and syncing from OnPrem AD in the background however asking users to use their old details is just going to confuse matters.

 

I have managed to get the MSI to install without inputting any Office365 details. If the user opens IE11 and opens the meeting, the MSI will run and install however if they use Chrome, the MSI downloads but will not install so we are asking staff to use IE11. This is ok for a short period however i can see this becoming a pain later on.

 

Apparently MS don't have a "all users" version of the MSI either yet people are crying out for it - so i've read on forums.

[timbo343]

Just an update, the Chrome plugin doesn't work either.

 

IE11 installs SkypeMeetingApp.msi to the same place C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\SkypeForBusinessPlugin\16.2.0.511.

 

The other way to do it would be to have the folder SkypeForBusinessPlugin folder somewhere on the C Drive and a script would be run (or manual intervention) to copy the folder to (C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Local\Microsoft). It would appear the MSI is just extracting and copying the files from the MSI to the mentioned folder location. There is no actual "Install" happening.

 

Edit, the last paragraph doesn't work.

Edited April 28, 2020 by timbo343

[Arthur]

is there a way to install the SkypeMeetingsApp.msi to ALL USERS rather than just to the local user profile as our users on the domain cannot install MSIs so we are unable to take conference calls from those who are wanting to meet with out staff.

 

We run mandatory profiles which doesn't help the situation either.

 

It would seem it's not possible to do and i'm hoping someone can correct me *fingers crossed*

It's definitely possible.

 

I had exactly the same issue yesterday when several of our staff had an online meeting with an LEA that required the dreadful Skype Meetings App. We don't install the Skype for Business app that's included with Microsoft Office.

 

You can't use the ALLUSERS=1 parameter with SkypeMeetingsApp.msi so the solution I came up with was to create a transform file to change a few things in the MSI to force the app to install to the "Program Files (x86)" folder rather than local AppData.

 

The MST is attached to this post and the MSI can be downloaded via the following link should you need it again:

 

https://az801095.vo.msecnd.net/prod/LWA/plugins/windows/SkypeMeetingsApp.msi

 

You will also need to create inbound domain and private Windows Firewall rules for pluginhost.exe (TCP and UDP). The path to which is now:

 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\SkypeForBusinessPlugin\16.2.0.511\pluginhost.exe

 

Another thing worth mentioning is that if you whitelist Internet Explorer ActiveX controls through Group Policy you will need to add the CLSID below to your policy.

 

Name:                   Skype for Business Web App Version Plug-in
Publisher:              Microsoft Corporation
Type:                   ActiveX Control
Architecture:           32-bit and 64-bit
Version:                16.2.0.511
File date:              ‎03 ‎August ‎2019, ‏‎04:59
Date last accessed:     ‎01 ‎May ‎2020, ‏‎00:00
Class ID:               [color="#FF0000"]{FE2EC208-BECF-4E83-8BF4-E35DBA4EB6A1}[/color]
Use count:              1
Block count:            0
File:                   GatewayVersion-x64.exe
Folder:                 C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\SkypeForBusinessPlugin\16.2.0.511

 

Note. When testing my MST make sure you uninstall any existing per-user installs of the Skype Meetings App beforehand.

 

The other way to do it would be to have the folder SkypeForBusinessPlugin folder somewhere on the C Drive and a script would be run (or manual intervention) to copy the folder to (C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Local\Microsoft). It would appear the MSI is just extracting and copying the files from the MSI to the mentioned folder location. There is no actual "Install" happening.

There is an install happening. It's just not showing the "normal" interactive installer UI.

 

The MSI creates quite a few registry keys so you can't just copy the folder unfortunately.

 

Edit. I will post a new MST after a bit more testing.

Edited May 2, 2020 by Arthur

[Arthur]

Apparently MS don't have a "all users" version of the MSI either yet people are crying out for it - so i've read on forums.

It's unlikely there will ever be an official all users MSI (or 100% web-based version) with Microsoft Teams superseding SfB.

 

https://tomtalks.blog/2017/05/improved-skype-business-web-join-experience-skypemeetingsapp-msi

 

18/10/2017: We heard at Microsoft Ignite 2017 that WebRTC/plugin-less meeting join is coming to Microsoft Teams but unlikely to come to Skype for Business

[timbo343]

It's definitely possible.

 

I had exactly the same issue yesterday when several of our staff had an online meeting with an LEA that required the dreadful Skype Meetings App. We don't install the Skype for Business app that's included with Microsoft Office.

 

You can't use the ALLUSERS=1 parameter with SkypeMeetingsApp.msi so the solution I came up with was to create a transform file to change a few things in the MSI to force the app to install to the "Program Files (x86)" folder rather than local AppData.

 

The MST is attached to this post and the MSI can be downloaded via the following link should you need it again:

 

https://az801095.vo.msecnd.net/prod/LWA/plugins/windows/SkypeMeetingsApp.msi

 

You will also need to create inbound domain and private Windows Firewall rules for pluginhost.exe (TCP and UDP). The path to which is now:

 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\SkypeForBusinessPlugin\16.2.0.511\pluginhost.exe

 

Another thing worth mentioning is that if you whitelist Internet Explorer ActiveX controls through Group Policy you will need to add the CLSID below to your policy.

 

Name:                   Skype for Business Web App Version Plug-in
Publisher:              Microsoft Corporation
Type:                   ActiveX Control
Architecture:           32-bit and 64-bit
Version:                16.2.0.511
File date:              ‎03 ‎August ‎2019, ‏‎04:59
Date last accessed:     ‎01 ‎May ‎2020, ‏‎00:00
Class ID:               [color="#FF0000"]{FE2EC208-BECF-4E83-8BF4-E35DBA4EB6A1}[/color]
Use count:              1
Block count:            0
File:                   GatewayVersion-x64.exe
Folder:                 C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\SkypeForBusinessPlugin\16.2.0.511

 

Note. When testing my MST make sure you uninstall any existing per-user installs of the Skype Meetings App beforehand.

 

 

There is an install happening. It's just not showing the "normal" interactive installer UI.

 

The MSI creates quite a few registry keys so you can't just copy the folder unfortunately.

 

Saviour!!! Many thanks for this! I will try it out next week

 

I realised there's more to the MSI than i thought as it would seem there are some DLLs that are being registered too.

 

I will just amend / add to the existing firewall rules in Group Policy to reflect the new location.

Edited May 2, 2020 by timbo343

[Arthur]

I will try it out next week

One other thing. When I tested the MSI/MST, it installed to "Program Files (x86)" successfully when the installer was run under an administrator account, but when done under the SYSTEM account it failed. I am currently trying to find out why.

[timbo343]

It's definitely possible.

 

I had exactly the same issue yesterday when several of our staff had an online meeting with an LEA that required the dreadful Skype Meetings App. We don't install the Skype for Business app that's included with Microsoft Office.

 

You can't use the ALLUSERS=1 parameter with SkypeMeetingsApp.msi so the solution I came up with was to create a transform file to change a few things in the MSI to force the app to install to the "Program Files (x86)" folder rather than local AppData.

 

The MST is attached to this post and the MSI can be downloaded via the following link should you need it again:

 

https://az801095.vo.msecnd.net/prod/LWA/plugins/windows/SkypeMeetingsApp.msi

 

You will also need to create inbound domain and private Windows Firewall rules for pluginhost.exe (TCP and UDP). The path to which is now:

 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\SkypeForBusinessPlugin\16.2.0.511\pluginhost.exe

 

Another thing worth mentioning is that if you whitelist Internet Explorer ActiveX controls through Group Policy you will need to add the CLSID below to your policy.

 

Name:                   Skype for Business Web App Version Plug-in
Publisher:              Microsoft Corporation
Type:                   ActiveX Control
Architecture:           32-bit and 64-bit
Version:                16.2.0.511
File date:              ‎03 ‎August ‎2019, ‏‎04:59
Date last accessed:     ‎01 ‎May ‎2020, ‏‎00:00
Class ID:               [color="#FF0000"]{FE2EC208-BECF-4E83-8BF4-E35DBA4EB6A1}[/color]
Use count:              1
Block count:            0
File:                   GatewayVersion-x64.exe
Folder:                 C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\SkypeForBusinessPlugin\16.2.0.511

 

Note. When testing my MST make sure you uninstall any existing per-user installs of the Skype Meetings App beforehand.

 

 

There is an install happening. It's just not showing the "normal" interactive installer UI.

 

The MSI creates quite a few registry keys so you can't just copy the folder unfortunately.

 

Edit. I will post a new MST after a bit more testing.

Any chance of a new MST file please? I'm starting to get a few more requests to join skype meetings.

[Arthur]

I'm starting to get a few more requests to join skype meetings.

I will send you a PM shortly.

 

I had to use a different method in the end, but it's working well after testing it with some teachers earlier this week.

[mrstrong]

Hi,

 

we use office 365 for teachers but have been "updated" to Teams (will eventually replace SfB July 2021?) so we can't start SfB meetings

but can join them ok. Have tested it ok with teachers joining with the SfB in office 2016 and the web app (i.e. the msi install which we allow)

 

But note for us in both cases the teachers still had to login with their office 365 credentials.

[timbo343]

@Arthur.

 

Many thanks for this!!

 

Spot On!!

 

allows the app to be open from any browser too!

 

We run mandatory profiles and block users from install MSIs Also we have now moved to GSuite from Office365. All these issues caused problems for us.

 

It installs the components of SfB Meetings Apps to the Profram Files (x86)\microsoft folder so users don't have to install the MSI which is asked to be installed from a web browser.

 

If you have SfB installed as part of your Office deployment, don't worry, i haven't found this to clash with the Office SfB install.

Edited May 8, 2020 by timbo343

[Arthur]

Thanks for all your help testing @timbo343. 👍

 

If anyone else wants to download the PSADT script I created to install the Skype Meetings App for all users, it can be downloaded from here.

[Arthur]

in both cases the teachers still had to login with their Office 365 credentials.

This was the main issue for my school. Everyone has a G Suite login, but not Office 365.

[RebelBurr34]

I will send you a PM shortly.

 

I had to use a different method in the end, but it's working well after testing it with some teachers earlier this week.

Great.You did a good job.

[robyholmes]

Sorry to bump this thread but I'm wondering if I can get an update from you @Arthur and @timbo343 on how your deploying Skype For Business Plugin to machines for all users. We're running in to the same problem, with AppLocker blocking it, standard users not able to install it and it install to the users account. I'd like to be able to install it for all users, even if it's just manual. I believe I need the MSI and MST (Could you PM me it?) then set the firewall rule up and we should be away. I think?

[timbo343]

Sorry to bump this thread but I'm wondering if I can get an update from you @Arthur and @timbo343 on how your deploying Skype For Business Plugin to machines for all users. We're running in to the same problem, with AppLocker blocking it, standard users not able to install it and it install to the users account. I'd like to be able to install it for all users, even if it's just manual. I believe I need the MSI and MST (Could you PM me it?) then set the firewall rule up and we should be away. I think?

 

It's just a plugin that we install as Network administrator of the machine. I can send you the files if you like?

[robyholmes]

It's just a plugin that we install as Network administrator of the machine. I can send you the files if you like?

 

The issue I'm having is I'm having to install it on my admin account, which then installs to the admin account AppData folder. So I'd like to be able to install it to Programs Files as suggested above. I believe @Arthur created a MST file for this judging by the information in the thread?

[timbo343]

The issue I'm having is I'm having to install it on my admin account, which then installs to the admin account AppData folder. So I'd like to be able to install it to Programs Files as suggested above. I believe @Arthur created a MST file for this judging by the information in the thread?

 

That's what i've got. I worked with Arthur on getting it right for install.

[robyholmes]

That's what i've got. I worked with Arthur on getting it right for install.

 

Perfect Tim, could you send me a link to download it on PM or email?

[timbo343]

Perfect Tim, could you send me a link to download it on PM or email?

 

It's on our forum and i've tagged you

[Arthur]

I believe @Arthur created a MST file for this judging by the information in the thread?

I originally created an MST, but couldn't get it working perfectly so then I switched to using a PSADT-based script which you can download from the link in post #13 (in addition to the SfB files).

[CallMeMonks]

I originally created an MST, but couldn't get it working perfectly so then I switched to using a PSADT-based script which you can download from the link in post #13 (in addition to the SfB files).

Sorry, I am being really stupid here but how do I use the downloaded files to install Skype Meetings App?

 

I've gone to the link and downloaded all the files and extracted them to a folder... now what do I do?

 

[timbo343]

Sorry, I am being really stupid here but how do I use the downloaded files to install Skype Meetings App?

 

I've gone to the link and downloaded all the files and extracted them to a folder... now what do I do?

 

 

Run the _Install.cmd file from within Skype-Meetings-App-Master Folder.

[CallMeMonks]

Run the _Install.cmd file from within Skype-Meetings-App-Master Folder.

There is no _Install.cmd file... All I see are the following folders/files: