hdlbatchinstaller --resume-last The tool reads its internal checkpoint file and picks up where it left off, skipping already-successful installations. Define separate sources for x86, x64, and ARM:
"only_if": "NOT exists('C:\\Program Files\\Adobe')" This prevents reinstalling Creative Cloud if it’s already present. If a deployment is interrupted (e.g., power outage), run:
hdlbatchinstaller --pre-script="disable_windows_defender.ps1" --post-script="enable_audit_logging.ps1" Use --only-if flags to check for registry keys, file existence, or OS version. For example: hdlbatchinstaller
hdlbatchinstaller --version You should see output like: hdlbatchinstaller v2.4.1 (build 2025-03-15) The magic of hdlbatchinstaller lies in its manifest format. You can use JSON, YAML, or a simple INI structure. Below is a practical example ( deploy-workstation.json ):
Scenario A: The Remote Office You have 30 laptops in a satellite office with poor internet. Instead of each laptop downloading VS Code from Microsoft, you place one copy on a local NAS. A scheduled task runs hdlbatchinstaller at 2 AM every Sunday, refreshing all developer tools. Scenario B: VDI Golden Image Creation Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) admins build a “golden image” base. Using hdlbatchinstaller , they can version-control their application manifest in Git. When an app needs updating, they change one line in the manifest and rebuild the image—no more “snowflake” servers. Scenario C: Offline Air-Gapped Networks For classified or secure environments without internet access, hdlbatchinstaller shines. Pack all .msi , .exe , and .deb files onto a USB drive along with a manifest. Run the installer once to deploy everything with dependency order intact. Troubleshooting Common hdlbatchinstaller Errors Even the best tools encounter hiccups. Here’s how to debug: Instead of each laptop downloading VS Code from
Start small. Build your first manifest with two applications. Gradually add complexity—dependencies, hooks, conditional logic. Soon, you'll wonder how you ever deployed software without it.
In the fast-paced world of IT administration and software development, time is the most valuable currency. Whether you are managing a computer lab of 50 machines, rolling out updates to 500 corporate workstations, or setting up a server farm, performing repetitive manual installations is a recipe for burnout and errors. Enter hdlbatchinstaller —a specialized tool designed to transform tedious, click-by-click software setups into seamless, automated processes. click-by-click software setups into seamless
"arch": "amd64": "installer-amd64.exe", "arm64": "installer-arm64.exe"