MEM_AppWin32_VSCode

Overview

The MEM_AppWin32_VSCode repository provides a solution for deploying the Visual Studio Code (VSCode) editor using Microsoft Intune as a Win32 app (as of August 2023, can't be deployed via "New" Microsoft Store). By leveraging the power of winget, Microsoft's package manager for Windows, this method ensures that devices always receive the most recent version of VSCode upon deployment.

Scripts in this Repository

• Detect_VSCode.ps1: Checks if VSCode is already installed on the device.

• Install_VSCode.ps1: Script uses winget to install the latest version of VSCode. It includes a function to ensure it runs in a 64-bit PowerShell environment, even if deployed as a "SYSTEM" in Intune, which defaults to 32-bit.

• Uninstall_VSCode.ps1: Facilitates the removal of VSCode from the device.

Usage

1. Preparation: Before deploying the scripts, ensure you have the IntuneWinAppUtil tool. This utility is essential for packaging the scripts into a format suitable for Intune.

2. Packaging for Intune:

   • Navigate to the directory containing the scripts and the IntuneWinAppUtil tool.
   • Run the IntuneWinAppUtil tool.
   • When prompted, provide the source folder, the setup file (script), and the output folder.
   • The tool will generate an .intunewin file, which is suitable for uploading to Intune.

3. Uploading to Intune:

   • Go to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center.
   • Navigate to Apps > All apps > Add.
   • Select Windows app (Win32) from the list.
   • Upload the .intunewin file generated in the previous step.
   • Configure the app information, settings, and assignments as needed.
     • Install command: powershell.exe -executionpolicy ByPass -file .\Install_VScode.ps1
     • Uninstall command: powershell.exe -executionpolicy ByPass -file .\Uninstall_VScode.ps1
     • Install behavior: System
     • Detection rules: Use custom script Detect_VSCode.ps1
   • Save and assign the app to desired group(s).

4. Setting Detection Rules:

   • For detection, utilize the Detect_VSCode.ps1 script. This script will verify if VSCode is already installed on the device, ensuring that the installation process is only initiated when necessary.

5. Deployment:

   • Once the app is assigned, devices/users in the target group(s) will receive the latest version of VSCode upon their next check-in with Intune.

Credits

A special acknowledgment to John Bryntze for the inspiration, based on the tutorials below for packaging applications for Intune using winget:

• Packaging Zoom with Winget and Intune - Part 1
• Packaging Zoom with Winget and Intune - Part 2

Also, huge thanks to Robert Milner and Ruby Ooms, creators of the referenced articles and scripts that guided me to understand how to ensure Win32 packaged scripts run in a 64-bit environment when deployed as "SYSTEM" in Intune:

• Running 64-bit PowerShell Scripts using Intune Win32 App Install
• IntunePS-x64 Script Sample
• The Sysnative Witch Project