Installing Microsoft SCCM on Windows Server
Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (or SCCM for short) is a tool that allows Windows admins to quickly manage and deploy software, apps, and updates across the network. Here’s how to install SCCM on your Windows system.
How to download SCCM on Windows Server
You’ll need to download SCCM from Microsoft before you use it, as it isn’t built into Windows Server. Thankfully, there is a 90-day evaluation copy you can get your hands on to try out SCCM for a few months.
To download SCCM on Windows Server, do the following. First, head to the Microsoft Evaluation Center. Once there, you’ll be asked to “Please select your Configuration Manager Current Branch download “. Locate the download link beneath “EXE download,” and select it with the mouse.
When you select this button, the default browser on your Windows Server system will begin to download the SCCM EXE installer. This download will take a bit of time, as it is 1 GB in size. When the process is complete, launch the Windows Explorer app.
Inside the Windows Server Explorer app, open up the “Downloads” folder. Then, locate the “MCM_Configmgr” EXE, and select it with the mouse. When you click on this EXE, it will launch the installer.
How to extract SCCM on Windows Server
When you launch the “MCM_Configmgr” EXE, you don’t actually see the installer yet. Instead, you see a WinRAR self-extracting archive. You must extract everything from this EXE before you can attempt to install SCCM on your Windows Server system.
By default, the SCCM WinRAR extraction tool will attempt to extract its contents where it was downloaded. So, if the SCCM extraction EXE is in your “Downloads” folder, it will be extracted there. Alternatively, click the “Browse” button to find a different place to extract the SCCM files.
When you’ve decided where to extract the contents of the SCCM WinRAR self-extracting archive, click the “Next” button to continue. By selecting this button, you’ll begin the extraction process. This process will not be instantaneous, as the WinRAR self-extracting archive is 1 GB in size. Sit back for a few minutes and allow the software to extract itself to your Windows Server.
When SCCM is fully extracted, you’ll see the folder “cd.retail.LN.” Select this folder. Then, double-click on the “splash.hta” file. This file will start up the installation process for SCCM on your Windows Server.
How to install SCCM on Windows Server
To install SCCM on your Windows Server, ensure you’ve opened the “splash.hta” file in the “cd.retail.LN” folder placed there by the SCCM WinRAR extraction tool. Once it is open, find the “Download required prerequisite files” button, and select it with the mouse.
When you select the “Download required prerequisite files” button, you’ll be asked to choose where to download these files. Browse for the “Downloads” folder, and select it as the destination. These downloads will take a few minutes, as there are 52 files to get.
Once you’ve installed all of the dependencies for SCCM on your Windows Server, return to the SCCM installation tool. If you previously closed it, re-run “splash.hta” via the “cd.retail.LN” folder.
Inside the installer, find the “Install” button, and click on it with the mouse. When you select the “Install” button, you’ll see a message that explains what the SCCM installation tool will do. Read the message, then, click the “Install” button.
On the next page, you’ll see your available setup options for SCCM. Look at your options, and select the one that fits your needs best. Click the “Next” button when done to move to the next page.
After choosing your installation options, you’ll need to enter your SCCM product key (if you have one). Alternatively, you can select “Install the evaluation edition of the product” to get a 180-day trial. Click “Next” after making your decision.
You’ll now need to accept three Microsoft license terms and agreements to continue. Check each of the boxes (after carefully reading them.) Select the “Next” button when done to move to the next page.
On the next page, the SCCM installation tool will offer to install the downloaded prerequisites from your “Downloads” folder. Select the “Downloads” folder with the SCCM to allow it to install these files. Click “Next” when done.
On the next page, you’ll need to specify a site code and site name. Enter it, and press the “Next” button. Then, you’ll need to agree with Microsoft’s data collection policies. Select the “Next” button to continue.
Once you’ve agreed to the terms, Microsoft’s SCCM installation tool will walk you through setting up “Service Connection Point Setup” so that SCCM stays up to date. Choose “Yes, let’s get connected” to continue. Select “Next” when done.
With “Service Connection Point Setup” configured, you’ll see a summary of the type of setup the SCCM installer will do. Select the “Next” to move to the next page. SCCM will then check your server for potential installation problems, and perform the installation.
