Deployment Options for Reboot Restore Enterprise

Current supported methods to deploy Reboot Restore Enterprise

Standalone Installation
- Quick setup using downloadable installer. Perfect for small offices or testing environments
Network Share Deployment
- Centralized installation from a shared network location. Supports pre-configured settings for uniform deployment
Automated Script Installation
- Silent, unattended deployments via login scripts. Enables hands-off rollout across multiple machines
System Image Integration
- Built-in deployment with OS imaging tools (Acronis, etc.). Ideal for new workstation provisioning
MSI Package Deployment
- Enterprise-grade installation using Windows Installer. Compatible with most software management systems
Setup.INI Wizard Overview
- Guide on how to create your pre-configuration file for unattended install, system image and MSI package creation
Automating Client Version Upgrade
- Guide to automate client version upgrades either locally, over a network script or through the Endpoint Manager

Standalone Installation

To install Reboot Restore Enterprise on a single workstation:

Extract the installation ZIP package
Open the "Reboot Restore Client" folder
Run Setup.exe
Select installation type:
- Typical (recommended for most users)
- Custom (advanced configuration)
Follow the on-screen instructions

Typical Setup Steps Includes

Language selection
License key input or demo key selection
Administrator password setup
Automatic protection of system drive and all partitions in the system drive
Automatic UltraVNC installation (required for Remote Control features)
System reboot required to complete installation

Custom Setup Includes

Language selection
License key input or demo key selection
Custom installation directory
Multi-boot system support
Administrator password setup
Selective partition protection
Exemption drive configuration
User Profile exemption option
UltraVNC installation toggle
System reboot required to complete installation

Network Share Deployment

Reboot Restore Enterprise enables centralized network deployment, eliminating the need for physical media when installing across multiple workstations.

Deployment Instructions

Prepare Network Share
- Copy Reboot Restore Enterprise client installation files to a shared network folder
- Configure shared folder permissions for workstation access
Configure SETUP.INI file
TIP: For best results, generate the SETUP.INI file on a PC which is generally similar to the target workstations
- Generate a SETUP.INI using the Setup INI Wizard (located in Deployment Tools folder)
- Place the file in your shared network folder, replacing any existing SETUP.INI
Workstation Installation

From target workstations

- Access the network share
- Run Setup.exe
- Select "Unattended Setup" from the setup wizard. This will do the following:
  - Automatically apply all SETUP.INI configurations
  - Automatically restart the computer to complete installation

Automated Script Installation

For network administrators who utilize client-side scripts to deploy applications, Reboot Restore Enterprise seamlessly integrates into existing scripting frameworks. This unattended installation method enables large-scale deployments without user interaction.

Deployment Instructions

Prepare Installation Files
- Copy all Reboot Restore Client program files to a folder on your server
- Create a network share for the folder with appropriate access permissions:

Read/Execute permissions for target workstations

Configure SETUP.INI File
- Generate the configuration file using the Setup INI Wizard (located in the Deployment Tools folder)
- Place the completed SETUP.INI file in the shared folder containing the Reboot Restore Client program files, replacing any existing SETUP.INI
Implement Script Deployment
- In your client-side installation script, include the command:

setup.exe /s

- The /s switch enables silent mode
- Settings are automatically read from SETUP.INI

System Image Integration

Reboot Restore Enterprise can be included in a system image (e.g., created with Norton Ghost or similar tools). However, because some components are stored in physical disk sectors rather than visible files, standard imaging methods may miss them.

Follow these steps to prepare a system image with Reboot Restore Enterprise

Preparation Steps:

Copy Installer Files
- Extract the Reboot Restore Enterprise installer package
- Copy the Reboot Restore Client files into a folder named Setup on the master image drive (ideally C:\Setup)
Configure SETUP.INI
- Use the SETUP.INI Wizard (found in the Deployment Tools folder) to create your custom SETUP.INI file
- Save SETUP.INI in the Setup folder, replacing any existing SETUP.INI
Run Sysprep for Imaging
- Run Sysprep for Imaging from the Deployment Tools folder
- Click Browse, then navigate to the C;\setup folder
- Click “Prep” --- This writes deployment settings to the registry
- You’ll get a message saying “The System is ready for imaging”
Create the System Image

- Image the drive using a Windows-based tool or boot from a CD to capture the image.
- Do not reboot into Windows after this step—doing so will trigger Reboot Restore client setup prematurely.

Post-Deployment Process:

When the master image is deployed to a new system

On first boot, the registry entries trigger an automatic, silent installation of Reboot Restore Enterprise client
Setup reads parameters from SETUP.INI with no user input required.
After installation, setup files are automatically deleted, and the system restarts.

MSI Package Deployment

The MSI format enables enterprise-grade deployment of Reboot Restore Enterprise, offering silent installations, and Group Policy integration. It simplifies mass deployment through standardized Windows Installer workflows, ensuring consistent configurations across all endpoints with minimal IT effort. Folow the steps below on creating your own MSI package

Download and install the AppDeploy Repackager app
https://horizondatasys.com/downloads/Tools/appdeploy-repackager.msi

Configure SETUP.INI
- Extract the Reboot Restore Enterprise installer package
- Use the SETUP.INI Wizard (found in the Deployment Tools folder) to create your custom SETUP.INI file
- Save SETUP.INI in the Setup folder, replacing any existing SETUP.INI
Create the MSI package
- Open File Explorer. Go to your C drive and create a folder labeled “setup”. This folder should be empty
- Launch the AppDeploy Repackager app desktop shortcut
- Click “Next” on the Welcome screen.
- Select “Create an MSI setup based on system changes”
- Under Setup File Location, click the … button and navigate to the extracted Reboot Restore Client folder and select “Setup.exe”
- Under version, remove the letter “v”, so it will only be numeric (i.e 13.0)

See example screenshot below

Click “Next”
On the Pre-Installation Snapshot Page, click “Advanced”
On the left pane (Directories) deselect everything except the C:\Setup folder
On the right-pane (Registry Hives), deselect everything except “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE”

Click “Next”. It will begin the initial scan
On the Next Screen, select “Do not launch setup.exe” the click “Next”

WARNING: On the next screen, DO NOT proceed further but also DO NOT close the Appdeploy Repackager app

Copy the contents of the Reboot Restore Client folder into the C:\Setup folder (example below)

Run Sysprep for Imaging from the Deployment Tools folder in the C:\Setup folder
Click Browse, then navigate to the C:\Setup folder
Click “Prep” --- This writes deployment settings to the registry
You’ll get a message saying “The System is ready for imaging”

Go back to Appdeploy Repackager app and now hit “Next” it should begin the second scan
After its done, click “Next” twice on the Package Content Review”
On the Create Recipe File and MSI section, click the “Select” button
Uncheck "Program Menu" -> Click OK

Click Next. It will now create the recipe file and the MSI file
Click “Finish” once done

The MSI file is now available under folder:

C:\Program Files (x86)\AppDeploy\Repackager\Packages

You’ll only need the MSI file for deployment, the XML file is if you need to edit the MSI file using the Appdeploy Packeger

Setup.INI Wizard Overview

The Setup.INI Wizard is a general guide for creating a custom setup.ini file, which is essential for unattended installations, system imaging, and MSI package creation. This application plays a critical role in streamlining these processes. Proper use ensures efficient and error-free deployment.

The application is generally located under the Deployment Tools folder in the Reboot Restore Enterprise client installer

Welcome Page
If you have an existing setup.ini file you can open it from here to edit it
Accept the EULA Prompt
Setup Option: Enter Product ID
On this step you can do the following:
- opt-in to delete the installer files from the client PC after Reboot Restore has installed
- input your purchased product ID/license key
- change the default client installer path
- toggle option for multiboot install
Access Control
Here is where you can set the password for the Reboot Restore Enterprise client UI.
- select the Administrator user account > click the Password button
- you can also add new users here with limited permissions
NOTE: You’ll get a warning prompt if you skipped this step. The default password is blank password with Administrator as username
Partition Selection
Here you can select which partitions to protect during install.

TIP: Choosing “Windows partition only” or “All Partitions on the system drive” does generally guarantee full compatibility across multiple PC configurations
Exemption Drive
You can choose to have an Exemption drive created on install or if you already have an unprotected partition to move user profiles there
Program Appearance
Adjust Reboot Restore Enterprise Client Settings (e.g. Hiding the subconsole, tray icon) as well as restricting resources
Restore Settings
Set Reboot Restore Client default auto-restore behaviour.
Update Baseline
Set schedule to automatically update Windows. Reboot Restore automatically sets a new baseline after the automated task.
Remote Management
Configure the client to connect to the IP address of the PC that has the Endpoint Manager installed. You can also use the Endpoint Manager PC’s machine name or a DNS address if the Endpoint Manager PC has an external IP address (to connect over the internet or across multiple locations)
More Settings
These are additional program settings that are not available in the Setup.INI Wizard. Here are a few examples:

Reboot=1/0
1 - automatically reboots the during an unattended/script/image deploy or MSI install the PC to install the subconsole
0 – disables auto-reboot. Useful if you have other applications that need to finish installation on first boot before locking it down with Reboot Restore client (i.e Sysprep)

Upgrade=0/1
0 - for standard install. 1 if updating an existing client install (via command line only)
Finish
Once you click finish, you’ll get prompted to save the file.
Name it “setup.ini” and you can save it on any location or overwrite the default setup.ini file

Automating Client Version Upgrade

Upgrading your Reboot Restore client from an older version (like v11 or v12) to the latest version can be challenging because you must uninstall the old version first. The guide below will help make the process easier.

Prep your installer

Download the latest version. The latest versions are readily available in the link below
https://horizondatasys.com/download/

Create a custom setup.ini file using the SETUP.INI Wizard under the Deployment Tools folder
In the last section, look for the upgrade=0 switch and change it to upgrade =1
Save the custom setup.ini file and copy to/overwrite the existing setup.ini file
TIP: The upgrade will uninstall Reboot Restore Client to the current system state - so make sure that you’ve restored back to a clean baseline before proceeding

Install

Open the command line prompt (start > run > type in “cmd”)
From the command prompt navigate to the client installer folder
example: cd C:\Users\Tester\Downloads\RebootRestoreEnterprise13\RebootRestoreENT13-2710940384\Reboot Restore Client)
Run a silent install command:
setup.exe /s /u Administrator /p
Ideally, you’ll see the screen below on the client PC
The PC will reboot multiple times during this process and install the latest version

Upgrading the client though the Endpoint Manager

You can also use functions in the Endpoint Manager to automatically update the client version

Install the latest version of the Endpoint Manager
Upgrading the Endpoint Manager is much simpler as installing it on an existing install will detect it and prompt to update it