Running a Notes® silent install or upgrade using optional arguments

You can use optional command line arguments when running a Notes® install or upgrade from the MSI command line.

Optional command line arguments are described in the following table.

For examples of MSI command line arguments ADDFEATURES, REMOVEFEATURES, and SELECTINSTALLFEATURES, see Performing a Notes® silent install or upgrade on Windows.

  • Attached kits use the -s argument to make the unpackaging of the detached kit on the user's computer silent.
  • Attached kits use the -a argument to indicate that additional arguments are to be passed to the Notes® installer after the unpackaging is complete. A silent install requires no user input because it bypasses the Notes® install windows. Silent installs use installation options selected during the previous install.
  • The /s initiates a silent install. Always enter a space after the /s.

The /v indicates that the "/qb+" parameters are passed to MsiExec. The /qb+ instructs MsiExec to run in silent mode.

Table 1. MsiExec command line arguments and usage descriptions

Optional command line arguments

Description and use

Attached kit example

Shared network drive example

-s

Unpackages the attached install kit silently.

-s /v"/qb+"

Does not apply

-a

Passes all arguments to the file that is being launched.

Note: From a Web kit, the -a parameter passes all command line arguments to the embedded install kit.
Note: For DVD media kit (setup.exe or setup.sh), the -a parameter creates an admin image.

-a /v"/qb+"

Does not apply

/a

Administrative installation.

-a /a

/a

/s

Note: Always place a blank space immediately after the /s.

For attached kit, does not display the dialog box that prompts the user to input the location to which the files are to be installed. By default, the files are placed in the user's TempDir\NotesInstall

For shared network drive, does not display the Install Shield initialization box.

-a /s

/s

/v

Passes arguments to MSIexec. All arguments entered following the argument /v apply to MSIexec.

-a /v"xxxx"

Where xxxx = any optional argument.

/v"xxxx"

Where xxxx = any optional argument.

/q

Sets the interface level. For example, /qn indicates no user interface displays during the upgrade.

-a /v"qn"

/v"/qn"

/qb+

Displays the basic user interface and a message box at the end of the upgrade.

-a /v"qb+"

/v"qb+"

/px

Web kit installations. Sets a path to the default program directory and the default data directory. Hides the Location to Save Files dialog box and the Remove Installation Files dialog box. Displays a message box at the end of the upgrade.

Web kit installation

-px -a /s /v"/qb+"

-d

Specifies that files are extracted to a temporary directory, from which they are deleted when the update is complete.

The argument -d must be the first argument in the series of arguments.

-d -a /s /v"/qn"

Does not apply.

Note: For information about enabling client single logon during silent install, refer to the Tech Note How to enable Client Single Logon feature using an MST during a silent install at the IBM® Support site.

Example of a silent install when using an install kit on a shared network drive

Shared network kits use arguments to initiate a silent install that bypasses the Notes® Install dialog boxes and uses installation options selected during the previous install. Enter the arguments in the field Optional arguments for shared network drive kit.

-s -a /s /v"/qb+" 

Note the following about this example:

  • , display a progress bar, and display a message when install is complete.

Example of a silent install when referencing Web kits in the install kit document

This example applies to silent installs where you are referencing Web kits in the install kit document. Enter the arguments in the field Optional arguments for attached kit.

  • Use this format to run a silent upgrade from a Web kit:
    -s -a /s /v"/qn"

Note the following about this example:

  • Attached kits use the -s argument to make the unpackaging of the detached kit on the user's computer silent.
  • Attached kits use the -a argument to indicate that additional arguments are to be passed to the Notes® installer after the unpackaging is complete. A silent install requires no user input because it bypasses the Notes® Install windows. Silent install use installation options selected during the previous install.