Difference between Assigning and Publishing in AD

TeKniques

Is there an easy explanation of the difference between these two? Seems you can do this with computers or users, but can use both for each. I'm just not clear on the difference of either one. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks in Advance.

Webmaster

The difference between assign and publish is in the way the software becomes available to the user (i.e. on demand, or installed from Start menu, or installed from add/remove programs). If you assign to a computer it will be installed regardless of the logged on user, if you assign to a user it will be available regardless of the computer the user is working on. Publishing to users just makes it available through add/remove programs without making changes on the computer until it is actually installed.

Group Policy Software Installation overview

Publish an application

Assign an application

Assigning and Publishing Software