Use simulated deployments if you want to test the applicability of an application deployment to computers without installing or uninstalling the application. A simulated deployment evaluates the detection method, requirements and dependencies for a deployment type, and reports the results in the Deployments node of the Monitoring workspace. Use the procedure in this topic to simulate an application deployment in Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager.

Note
You cannot use simulated deployments for collections of mobile devices.
Note
You cannot deploy an application with a deployment purpose of Uninstall if a simulated deployment of the same application is active.

To simulate an application deployment

  1. In the Configuration Manager console, select one of the following:

    • A collection of users.

    • A collection of devices.

    • A Configuration Manager application.

  2. In the Home tab, in the Deployment group, click Simulate Deployment.

  3. In the Simulate Application Deployment Wizard, specify the following information:

    • Application: Click Browse and then select the application for which you want to create a simulated deployment.

    • Collection: Click Browse and then select the collection that you want to use for the simulated deployment.

    • Action: From the drop-down list, select whether you want to simulate the installation, or the uninstallation of the selected application.

    • Deploy automatically with or without user login If this option is checked, the clients will evaluate the simulated deployment whether or not the clients are logged in.

  4. Click Next, review the information on the Summary page, and then complete the wizard to create the simulated application deployment.

  5. Simulated applications appear in the Deployments node of the Monitoring workspace with a purpose of Simulate. For more information about how to monitor application deployments, see How to Monitor Applications in Configuration Manager.

See Also