Use the JumpCloud App Catalog for Windows

Use the JumpCloud App Catalog for Windows to install and easily manage popular Windows desktop applications that may not be available through the Microsoft Store. When configured to auto-update, applications managed through the app catalog are kept updated, no manual intervention required, helping to reduce the risks associated with outdated software and potential security vulnerabilities.

You can force install applications automatically, or make them available for self service so users install them from the JumpCloud Windows App. See Get Started: Self Service App Catalog to learn more.

The JumpCloud App Catalog can help you to:

• Eliminate third-party solutions for app patching by consolidating your app management solutions in JumpCloud.
• Automate force-install deployments and remove insecure ad hoc app management practices.
• Make approved applications available for users to install on demand through Self Service App Catalog.
• Establish a secure and efficient process for tool resourcing and maintenance.

Prerequisites:

• Devices must run a supported desktop version of Windows and have the JumpCloud agent version 2.153.5 or later installed:
  • Windows Home and Server versions are not supported.
  • See JumpCloud Agent Compatibility, System Requirements, and Impacts for the full list of supported Windows desktop versions.
• JumpCloud utilizes the following programs to support the App Catalog. If you see these installed on your devices, understand that this is normal and expected:
  • WinGet (Windows Package Manager), which is typically installed as part of Windows. JumpCloud manages WinGet through the device agent to ensure it is up-to-date.
    • winget.exe is installed at C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_[version number]__8wekyb3d8bbwe`
  • Microsoft Visual C++.

Considerations: 

• JumpCloud leverages WinGet to install and update applications on devices. Applications managed through the JumpCloud App Catalog will not be patched until a new version becomes available in the WinGet package manifest.
• If a JumpCloud app catalog app is installed and takes over a previously installed instance of the same app on a device, some or all of the existing app configurations may be reset.
• It can several minutes for device agents to check in for commands to install, update, or remove applications.

Viewing Application Details

From the application list view (Device Management > Software Management), apps managed by the App Catalog are noted in the Application Type column. You can quickly see information like the current version of the application installed and the timestamp of the last update.

Click a row to view the application details, see bound device groups and devices, and check the status of the application on bound devices:

• Application Details:
  • Type – Origin of the Application. Applications that originate from the app catalog are noted as App Catalog. This is also how they appear in the software list view.
  • Version – The version of the application installed.
  • Version Last Updated – Date and time that the application was updated from the WinGet manifest within JumpCloud.
  • Supported Devices - OSes supported for this application.
• Patch Settings: Review configured update settings and command line arguments here. If making changes, remember to click Save.

Installing an Application from the App Catalog

To install an app from the JumpCloud App Catalog:

1. Log in to the JumpCloud Admin Portal.

2. Go to Device Management > Software Management.
3. From the Windows tab, click + Add New and select JumpCloud App Catalog. Follow the wizard to configure the application:

Selecting an Application

Select an application to install and manage. You can select up to 10 applications to install simultaneously.

1. On the Select Application screen, select an application from the list, then click Next.
2. The table below shows the latest available applications and their respective package IDs.

Configuring the Application

Configure the App Delivery Method, Removal Behavior, and Patching and Configuration details. 

1. Under App Delivery Method, select the delivery behavior:
   • Auto: Select this to force install the software. You must configure device or device group associations in the next step.
   • Self Service: Select this to make the application for users to install via the Windows Tray app or macOS Menu Bar app. See Use the Self Service App Catalog to learn more.

2. Under Removal Behavior, select the checkbox to automatically uninstall the application from devices when the app is unbound or deleted from Software Management. 
3. (Optional) Under Patching and Configuration, select Auto-Update to keep the application patched to the latest available version. This is enabled by default.
4. (Optional) Enter any desired command line arguments to configure the application. Reference the individual vendor’s documentation to understand which arguments are available.
5. Click Next.
   

Associating Devices

Select the device groups and devices where you want to force install the application or make it available in the Self Service Catalog, depending on your selection in the previous section.

1. Select the Device Groups tab. Select one or more device groups where you will install this application. For device groups with multiple OS member types, the application is installed only on Windows devices.
2. Select the Devices tab. Select one or more devices where you will install this application.
3. Click Next.
4. Verify the details on the summary screen are correct before proceeding, then click Save.

If you selected the Auto installation method, an install command is sent to targeted devices. The user on the device will receive prompts that a software update is available.

If you selected Self Service, the application appears in the Self Service App Catalog on assigned devices. Users install it from the JumpCloud Windows App. No force-install command is sent for Self Service assignment.

End User Notifications

When a command is sent to the device agent to install or update an application, the end user is prompted with an update notification on their device:

Users can click Update Now on the individual notification to install the update immediately, or Snooze the notification for 24 hours. This notification will be sent every day for 7 days before the update is forced on their system.

Deleting an Application

If you no longer want to manage an app through JumpCloud, you can remove it. The behavior upon removal depends on how the application was configured under Removal Behavior. If the Uninstall software when unbound or deleted checkbox is selected, the application is uninstalled from the device. If the checkbox is cleared, the application remains on the device but is no longer managed by JumpCloud.

To remove an App Catalog app from a bound device:

1. From the JumpCloud Admin Portal, go to Device Management > Software Management.
2. Select the Windows tab and select the app you want to delete from a device.
3. From the Devices or Device Groups tab, unselect the devices or device groups where you no longer want to manage the app and click Save.
   
4. On the Unbind Software prompt, read through the implications and click the checkbox to acknowledge the following them. The implications listed depend on the application's configured removal behavior.
5. Click Unbind to proceed.

To delete an App Catalog app:

1. From the JumpCloud Admin Portal, go to Device Management > Software Management.
2. Select the Windows tab and select the app you want to delete. Apps installed from the App Catalog are noted in the Application Type column.
3. Go to Actions > Delete.
   

4. If you’re removing more than one app, enter the total number of app packages to be deleted.
5. Click Delete App.

Viewing Command Statuses

When you create, update, or remove an app from a bound device, the JumpCloud Agent reports the status on each bound device:

To check the status of an install, patch, or removal command:

1. From the JumpCloud Admin Portal, go to Device Management > Software Management.
2. Under the Status column, click View Status to see status information for the relevant application:
   
   • Device Name - Name of the device where the app is bound.
   • Status – Install Success, Install Failed, or Update Pending.
   • Command Timestamp – Date and time when the status was reported by the device agent.
3. Click View to the right of the relevant device row.
4. The results log of the command is displayed, including status details, code, and timestamp.
   

JumpCloud reports the following statuses for the Windows App Catalog:

Additional Resources

Enroll: Intro to Software Management