Automating Software Installation with PowerShell

Cover art by Mark kerry

I’ve often found myself repeating the same tasks over and over again. One of these tasks is installing software on new machines. To streamline this process, I created a PowerShell script that automates the installation of multiple applications.

The script is now open-sourced — grab it on GitHub: Install-EssentialApps

GitHub — 5a9awneh/Install-EssentialApps

Batch file

Run-Install.bat handles UAC elevation automatically — no right-clicking required. Double-click it, accept the prompt, and the installer launches with admin rights. If the prompt is declined, it shows a clear message and waits for you to close.

The Script

Install-EssentialApps.ps1 presents an interactive checklist of applications. Navigate with the arrow keys, toggle with Space, and press Enter to install only what you need.

# Each app is a hashtable — easy to customise
$applications = @(
    @{Name = "Acrobat Reader"; Path = "Software\Essentials\AcroRdrDC_en_US.exe"; Args = "/sPB" },
    @{Name = "Google Chrome";  Path = "Software\Essentials\ChromeStandaloneSetup64.exe"; Args = "/silent /install" },
    @{Name = "7-Zip";          Path = "Software\Essentials\7z-x64.exe"; Args = "/S" },
    # ... and more
)

Paths are relative to $PSScriptRoot — nothing breaks when you move or share the folder.

Breakdown

• Interactive TUI menu — arrow-key checklist; install only the apps you select
• Progress bar — tracks overall installation progress across all selected apps
• Exit code awareness — correctly handles 0, 3010, and 1641 (success with/without reboot required)
• Session logging with 90-day rotation — every install is appended to Install-EssentialApps.log; stale entries are pruned automatically
• Quoted dynamic paths — installer arguments with embedded paths are correctly escaped, so installs work regardless of where the folder lives

Get It

Clone the repo, drop your installers into Software\Essentials\, and run Run-Install.bat.

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→ github.com/5a9awneh/Install-EssentialApps

GitHub — 5a9awneh/Install-EssentialApps

The README covers requirements, the full app list, silent-install argument reference, and how to add your own apps.