Windows : Only Run Install Startup Script if Directory Doesn't Exist

Question

I want to install some programs via a startup script, but once it has run for the first time it'll just reinstall wasting time and overwriting. It's a Server 2008 R2.

Somewhere I found this

IF NOT "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client"=="" 
(
    echo "Already Installed"
) 
else 
(
    "\\192.168.1.104\Programs\Microsoft Security Essentials\Microsoft Security Essentials.exe" /s /runwgacheck
)

IF NOT "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 10.0"=="" 
(
    echo "Already Installed"
) 
else 
(
    "\\192.168.1.104\Programs\Adobe Reader\AdbeRdr1012_en_US.exe" /sAll /rs /msi EULA_ACCEPT=YES
)

But it doesn't work. How could I get it to?

Answer 1

You need IF EXIST instead of just IF for batch programming.

e.g.

IF NOT EXIST "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client" (
  :: Install product
)

Answer 2

Since you're running AD, why don't you try distributing these products via MSI and GPO?

Answer 3

Have your script drop a flag, create a text file or something, when the install completes that your script will look for on the subsequent runs. If it finds the flag it ends the process and doesn't re-install. If the flag doesn't exist it completes the install.

Answer 4

To test if a directory exists test for the presence of the "nul" file. This will work in BAT and CMD scripts on ANY Windows version.

Just testing for the folder itself often fails, especially if the folder is on a network-drive or accessed by UNC path.

Like this:

if exists c:\somedir\nul (
  echo folder somedir exists in c:\
)

You can also use the trick to see if a drive-letter is in use or not. E.g if exists z:\nul will return true if z: is mapped on a network drive or if it is a DVD-drive, even if there is no disk in the drive.