Install Capture

Aug 14, 2017

You can use Install Capture to import desktop applications for which an .msi, .sft, or .appv file is not available. Install Capture installs the application within a virtual machine and creates an .msi file that is then imported into AppDNA.

Generally the .msi that is created simply captures the application’s DNA for import into AppDNA and is not suitable for actually installing the application. However, if you have the additional software requirements, the capture process can create App-V sequences or XenApp profiles as well as .msi files for importing into AppDNA.

Import applications by using Install Capture

From the AppDNA side bar, choose Import & Analyze > Applications.
Click the Install Capture tab.
On the Install Capture tab, select the .exe or other installation files that you want to import. Important: When selecting applications to import using Install Capture, you must use a UNC path. For example, \\MyServer\MyApplications\MyApplication.exe. The path you specify must be accessible from the virtual machine, otherwise the import will fail.
In the list of applications, select the applications that you want to import.
Select the VM configuration you want to use.
If applicable, choose a group for the applications.
Click Import on the right side of the toolbar to start capturing the application DNA for loading into the AppDNA database.

By default, AppDNA now runs through a series of checks of the virtual machine configuration. If any of the checks fail, refer to Troubleshoot.

If the checks are successful, AppDNA displays a progress bar and opens the virtual machine where the Install Capture processing takes place.

If you are using a vSphere or Hyper-V virtual machine, AppDNA opens the virtual machine in a Remote Desktop Connection window. If a warning window opens, select the Don’t ask me again for connections to this computer check box, and then click Connect. If a Windows Security dialog box opens, enter the user name and password for the virtual machine. This should be a domain user account. Then select the Remember my credentials check box, and click OK.

For general information about the Install Capture processing, see “Install Capture processing,” next.

Important: If the installation requires the computer to be restarted, make sure that you choose the I will restart my computer later (or equivalent) option. The Install Capture will fail if you restart the virtual machine during the Install Capture process.

Install Capture processing

After you click Import on the Install Capture tab and the virtual machine configuration checks complete, the AppDNA Virtual Machine Remote Controls window opens.

If you selected the Automatic check box, the before snapshot is automatically performed on the operating system.
If you chose manual mode (that is, you cleared the Automatic check box), you need to select the actions to run manually and then click the Perform button. Select the actions in the order in which they are displayed in the drop-down list.

The processing that takes place is controlled by the execution profile. When the Snapshot execution profile is in use, the “before snapshot” is the first action that is run on the virtual machine. After the “before snapshot” has completed, the installation runs. If a manual installation is required, install and configure the application as required.

After the installation of the application finishes, the “after snapshot” begins (again assuming the Snapshot execution profile is in use). When this completes, AppDNA begins loading the MSI that was created. When the import finishes, the AppDNA Virtual Machine Remote Controls window closes and the progress on the Install Capture tab becomes “Loading Completed Successfully”.

Note

In the Application List, the Manufacturer and Name and columns may display as Unknown (and the Version as 0.0.0) if AppDNA is unable to get this information from the application. This can cause an issue when reimporting apps with Install Capture. If the manufacturer, name and version were not captured, a different app of a similar size can overwrite the existing app. The workaround is to enable the Finger print override setting (Edit > Settings > Import and Analyze). This will force a new instance of the app to be imported. For more information on Finger print override, see Import and analyze settings.

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