> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.grunt.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Deployment and installation

> Deploy the Grunt PowerPoint add-in with the right install model for your environment

Use this guide when you deploy Grunt in a managed environment.

> [!NOTE]
>
> The current Grunt release is a self-contained .NET 9 COM add-in. It bundles its own runtime and has no external runtime prerequisites.

## Installation models

Grunt supports two main Windows deployment models:

* Per-user installation in the user's local profile
* Per-machine installation in `Program Files`

For Intune deployments, we recommend per-machine installation in most cases. Choose the model based on how you want to manage updates:

| Update ownership | Recommended installation model |
| - | - |
| You manage the initial deployment and all updates through Intune. | Per-machine. Grunt auto-updates are disabled, so you deploy each update through Intune. |
| You use Intune for the initial deployment and want Grunt to handle updates automatically. | Per-user. Run the installation in the user's Windows context and leave automatic updates enabled. |

For users installing Grunt themselves, the default per-user install is the standard choice. It does not usually require admin rights and enables auto-updates by default.

## Recommended baseline

* Windows 10 or Windows 11
* PowerPoint 2016 or later (Microsoft 365 recommended)
* The default `x64` installer for most environments, or `arm64` for Windows on ARM devices

## Default per-user installation

The standard installer from [app.grunt.pro/download](https://app.grunt.pro/download) installs Grunt to:

```text theme={null}
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Programs\Grunt\
```

This mode:

* Writes user-level registry entries under `HKEY_CURRENT_USER`
* Does not normally require elevated privileges
* Registers the Grunt COM add-in with PowerPoint
* Enables automatic updates by default unless your organization disables them centrally

To keep this install model but disable automatic installation, set the per-user `updateStrategy` registry value. See [Update management](https://docs.grunt.io/powerpoint-add-in/it/update-management.md).

## Command-line installation

Use per-machine installation when your environment blocks per-user installs or when IT wants to control updates through deployment tooling.

Grunt installs per machine to:

```text theme={null}
C:\Program Files\Grunt
```

Example command:

```bash theme={null}
msiexec /i grunt-<version>-x64.msi MSIINSTALLPERUSER=0 /qn
```

This mode:

* Requires admin rights
* Writes machine-level registry entries under `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE`
* Disables Grunt auto-updates by design
* Fits SCCM, Intune, and similar software deployment systems

## Managed deployment tools

You can deploy Grunt with common software distribution platforms such as Intune, SCCM, or similar tooling. Use the per-machine model for a fully managed rollout where you distribute both the initial installation and subsequent updates.

If you want Grunt to handle updates after the initial deployment, deploy the default per-user installer through Intune or another MDM tool in the user's Windows context. This keeps Grunt under `%LOCALAPPDATA%` and writes settings to `HKEY_CURRENT_USER`. Leave automatic updates enabled so Grunt can install subsequent updates.

## Prerequisites

Grunt is self-contained and bundles its own .NET runtime. There are no external runtime prerequisites to install on the target machine.

## Common blockers

If deployment fails during install or first launch:

* Check whether Office add-ins are blocked by policy.
* Check whether endpoint protection is blocking Grunt binaries. The primary binary to allowlist is `Grunt.PowerPoint.ComAddinNE.dll` in the Grunt install directory.
* If Windows reports a certificate trust issue, install the signer certificate into **Trusted Publishers** or incorporate that trust step into your deployment process.

## Validate deployment

After rollout:

1. Open PowerPoint on a test machine.
2. Confirm the **Grunt** tab appears.
3. Confirm users can open **Grunt** > **Settings** > **License**.
4. Confirm the expected update behavior matches the install model you selected.


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