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Why do Microsoft's installers for server software suck so much?

J

JimmiG

2[H]4U
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Apr 3, 2008
Messages
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It seems every time you try to install some product like System Center Operations Manager/Configuration Manager, Endpoint Protection, Microsoft Exchange 2010 etc., there's a bazillion "prerequisites" checks that fail.

Then you have to hunt all over TechNet for some obscure download that's nearly impossible to find and then it still doesn't work so you have to do some stupid tinkering with regedit or whatever to make it work.

Why don't their installers do their jobs properly and install all the required components? Why don't the Technet links provided in the installers point to any useful information?

I'm currently studying Microsoft server technology and finding it very frustrating that the simplest of labs take a whole day because just getting the right software installed and configured takes hours upon hours.

End rant.
 
Rant Confirmed, I hate that crap, you'd think it would directly link you to the "prerequesite" that they want you to perform. Instead of a wild goose chase all day long.

I installed Exchange 2010 for the first time, that was silly; about a month ago.

We're also not going to use exchange, partly due to cost.
 
Not really sure what your talking about. I have done multiple Exchange 2007, 2010, TMG, SCOMM, etc installs and never had any issues. The only pre-req I always fail is .net 3.5, but there is no running around looking for it, you just go to the server manager, go to features, and install it. Simple.

I can see that if your not a MS admin, and not used to the new installers how it can be a PITA, however I have always found them helpful and things easy to fix when they fail the checks. An exchange deployment has never taken me more then a couple hours.
 
C7J0yc3 said:
Not really sure what your talking about. I have done multiple Exchange 2007, 2010, TMG, SCOMM, etc installs and never had any issues. The only pre-req I always fail is .net 3.5, but there is no running around looking for it, you just go to the server manager, go to features, and install it. Simple.

I can see that if your not a MS admin, and not used to the new installers how it can be a PITA, however I have always found them helpful and things easy to fix when they fail the checks. An exchange deployment has never taken me more then a couple hours.
Click to expand...

This has been my experience as well.
 
We're a 100% Windows shop here, I was just sharing. I never said they were hard to fix, it's just annoying that you need to run around and do these things. Why can't the installer for $12,000 worth of software just work? When the installer for a $800 piece of software can. I know there is a lot of crap built into MS software, but the point is you pay A LOT of money for it.
 
Some MS installers do install "Some" of the requirements. MS CRM 4 installes all but SQL server.
 
k1pp3r said:
Some MS installers do install "Some" of the requirements. MS CRM 4 installes all but SQL server.
Click to expand...

SQL Express is easy... next next next next next done. lol

Full blown SQL has a bit more to go over, though it was still not as much as Exchange 2010 had.
 
Most of them are getting better. Install Biztalk 2004, then install 2010. 2004 made you track down all the prereqs on your own. I think starting in 2006, they give you a cab.

Generally I find that by reading the documentation first, I'll be able to find what I need and the links to the appropriate resources. I can't think of any situation in the last few years where that hasn't been the case. Even Team Foundation Server, which has quite a few prereqs, has extensive, detailed documentation on what you need and where to find it.
 
I don't think they suck at all. I've yet to run into an issue with Microsoft's installers for thier server products. I typically read the documentation before proceeding with an install and almost all of the time I'll have my bases covered and installation is painless. Post-install configuration tasks are another matter and that's usually issues with poorly or undocumented features/issues. Unless you're already familiar with a product and it's installation procedure, you shouldn't be anywhere near the installer until you have first read the docs. At least read through the installation portion, it usually helps to avoid those headache inducing situations.
 
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