To perform a silent, "exclusive" (unattended) installation of Promethean ActivInspire, you must first extract the MSI packages from the standard executable and then deploy them using standard Windows Installer switches. Step 1: Extract the MSI Packages
The standard ActivInspire setup file is a "wrapper." You need to extract the raw MSI files to deploy them silently.
Download the latest version from the Promethean Support Download Page.
Run as Administrator and select the Network Install option when prompted.
Alternatively, you can use the command prompt to extract the files by adding the /a switch to the executable. Example: ActivInspire_setup.exe /a
Save the files to a designated folder. This process typically creates three key files that must be deployed individually: ActivInspire.msi, ActivInspireMainRes.msi (Core Resources), and Help.msi. Step 2: Silent Installation Commands
Once extracted, use the following commands in a batch script or your deployment tool (like SCCM or Intune) to install the components without user interaction.
Main Application:msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspire.msi" /qn /norestart
Core Resources (Essential for images/tools):msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspireMainRes.msi" /qn /norestart
ActivDriver (Required for board connectivity):msiexec.exe /i "ActivDriver.msi" /qn /norestart Step 3: Configuration & Activation
For a truly "exclusive" experience where users aren't prompted for license keys or EULAs upon first launch:
License File: During the network extraction process, the installer may prompt you to enter your Activation Key and accept the License Agreement. Completing this generates a license file within the extracted folder that the MSI uses to pre-activate the software.
MST Transforms: Advanced admins can use tools like Orca to create a .mst transform file. This allows you to pre-set properties like PIDKEY (Serial Number) and COMPANYNAME directly in the installer. Key Considerations
Permissions: Always ensure you are logged in with Administrator rights before running deployment scripts.
Dependencies: Ensure Java is up to date, as ActivInspire may fail to launch if there are conflicting versions. activinspire silent install exclusive
File Structure: Keep each MSI in its own folder on your server to avoid file path errors during the extraction process. Promethean Activ Studio unattended install - EduGeek
To silently install ActivInspire, you must first extract the MSI installer from the standard executable and then use standard MSI command-line switches for deployment. 1. Extract the MSI File The standard ActivInspire download is an file. To perform a silent installation, you need the MSI.
Open a Command Prompt (Run) and drag the ActivInspire installer into the window. switch to the end of the path (e.g., ActivInspire_setup.exe /a ) and press Enter. Follow the prompts to perform a Network Install
. This will ask for a destination folder where it will extract the ActivInspire.msi and supporting files. 2. Silent Install Commands Once you have the extracted file, you can deploy it silently using msiexec.exe
. Use the following commands for the main application and its required components: Main Application: msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspire.msi" /qn /norestart Core Resources: msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspireMainRes.msi" /qn /norestart ActivDriver (Board Drivers): msiexec.exe /i "bc016a.msi" /qn /norestart 3. Advanced Configuration (Optional)
For a fully unattended experience, including licensing, consider these options: License Management:
Professional Edition details (User Name, Organization, and Activation Key) can be pre-configured during the Network Install extraction process. This often creates an or license file used by the installer. MST Transforms: You can use tools like to create a file to bake in properties like (serial number) and COMPANYNAME Command with Transform:
msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspire.msi" TRANSFORMS="your_transform.mst" /qn Deployment Tips Intune/SCCM: Microsoft Intune , wrap the extracted MSI and its folder structure into a .intunewin file using the IntuneWinAppUtil Separate Folders:
Ensure each component (Main App, Resources, Help Files) is extracted into its own distinct folder to avoid file conflicts during extraction. PowerShell script to automate these steps for an SCCM or Intune deployment? deploy activinspire via mdt | Promethean Direct Support
To perform a silent installation of ActivInspire while including professional or "exclusive" features across a network, you must first extract the MSI files and generate a license file. There is no single "exclusive" switch; instead, the software upgrades from the Personal Edition to the Professional Edition during the deployment process when a valid license is present. 1. Extract Deployment Files
Standard web installers must be unpacked to obtain the .msi files required for silent deployment.
Run with Administrative Rights: Launch the command prompt as an administrator.
Use the Administrative Switch: Run the downloaded .exe with the /a switch (e.g., ActivInspire_setup.exe /a).
Choose "Network Install": This will prompt you to select a server location where the installer will unpack the individual components: ActivInspire.msi, ActivInspireMainRes.msi (Core Resources), and HelpFiles.msi. 2. Activate Professional (Exclusive) Features /i : Indicates installation
During the extraction process, a utility will appear to create a license file.
Enter License Details: Input your username, organization, and the 20-digit activation key found on your Promethean hardware.
Generate .ast File: Completing this step generates a license file in the same folder as the ActivInspire.msi. When deployed together, the software will automatically launch as the Professional Edition. 3. Silent Installation Commands
Once you have the MSI files, use standard msiexec parameters for a silent rollout through tools like SCCM, MDT, or Intune. Component Silent Command (CMD) Main Application msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspire.msi" /qn /norestart Core Resources msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspireMainRes.msi" /qn /norestart Help Files msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspireHelp.msi" /qn /norestart Drivers msiexec.exe /i "ActivDriver.msi" /qn /norestart Best Practices
By default, upon first launch, ActivInspire prompts the user to import settings from previous versions (ActivStudio/ActivPrimary). In a managed environment, this confuses users who have no prior settings to import.
Parameter: ACTIVINSPIRE_IMPORT_SETTINGS=0
The Microsoft Windows Installer (MSIEXEC) is the engine behind the silent install. To achieve a truly silent deployment—meaning no user interface, no prompts, and no user interaction required—the /qn switch is essential.
The Base Command:
msiexec /i "ActivInspire_x64.msi" /qn
/i: Indicates installation."Path\to\File.msi": Points to the installer package./qn: Sets the user interface level to "None" (Quiet, No UI).When your silent install fails, check these common exit codes and solutions.
| Exit Code | Meaning | Exclusive Fix |
|-----------|---------|----------------|
| 0 | Success | — |
| 3010 | Success, reboot required | Use REBOOT=ReallySuppress and suppress reboot registry flag. |
| 1603 | Fatal error during installation | Corrupt MSI or missing privileges. Run as SYSTEM. |
| 1618 | Another installation already running | Wait or kill msiexec processes. |
| 1642 | Windows Installer patch not applicable | Wrong version of MSI for the transform. |
For a school with 30 interactive panels, no. Just run the GUI.
For a district with 1,200 panels running a Windows 11 migration? Absolutely.
The "ActivInspire Silent Install Exclusive" is not just a command line flag; it is a badge of honor for the sysadmin who has dissected the setup.exe with Orca.exe (Microsoft's MSI editor), poured through install.log, and emerged victorious with a zero-touch deployment that works during summer imaging.
If you have the volume license key and the right MST, you can push ActivInspire to 500 machines in the time it takes a teacher to write "My pen isn't working" on a dry-erase board. poured through install.log
Pro tip for 2025: If you are still on ActivInspire, start planning your migration to ActivInspire Driverless or web-based whiteboard tools. Promethean is slowly deprecating the Win32 client, and the "exclusive" silent switches for version 3.x are rumored to be removed entirely.
Deploy wisely.
For administrators managing large-scale deployments, ActivInspire can be installed silently by first extracting the core
through a manual "Network Install" and then executing them via the command line with standard silent switches. Promethean Support Phase 1: Extract the MSI Files
The standard web installer (.exe) cannot be used directly for a silent install. You must first extract the individual components. Promethean Support Launch the Network Installer : Run the downloaded ActivInspire.exe Select Setup Type : When prompted, choose Network Install Choose Components
: Select the components you need (e.g., ActivInspire, Core Resources, Help Files). Define Extraction Path : Choose separate folders for each component (e.g., C:\Deploy\ActivInspire C:\Deploy\CoreResources Set License Details : During extraction, you can enter your 20-digit Activation Key and Organization name to bake these into the installation. Promethean Support Phase 2: Silent Execution via Command Line Once extracted, use msiexec.exe to deploy each MSI file silently. Advanced Installer Main Application msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspire.msi" /qn /norestart Core Resources msiexec.exe /i "ActivInspireMainRes.msi" /qn /norestart Drivers (if required) msiexec.exe /i "bc016a.msi" /qn /norestart EduGeek.net Advanced Configuration (Optional) For more granular control, you can use an MST (Transform) file or edit the MSI's Property table using a tool like EduGeek.net
: Set this to your serial number in the Property table to pre-activate the Professional Edition. to ensure a per-machine installation. EduGeek.net Troubleshooting Administrator Rights
: Always ensure you are running these commands from an elevated command prompt with Administrator access : If deploying via SCCM or Intune, ensure the Source folder
points directly to the directory containing the specific MSI you are referencing. Promethean Support PowerShell script
to automate the sequential installation of the application, resources, and drivers? ActivInspire Network Install Instructions for Windows
Pros:
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This guide explains how to perform a silent (unattended) installation of ActivInspire so it is set up for exclusive use on a Windows machine (single-user or single-application kiosk-like setup). Assumes you have the ActivInspire installer (.exe or .msi) and an admin account.