In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the best methods for deployment of Slack using Intune. Slack is a powerful messaging and collaboration platform for teams, offering organized channels, direct messaging, and file sharing. It also integrates seamlessly with various apps like Google Drive and Zoom, making it easier to streamline workflows and boost productivity through real-time communication.
Slack is available in .MSIX and .EXE formats, which you can download directly from the Slack download page. Additionally, there’s an option to download an installer for ARM (64-bit) devices.
For those who prefer the MSI installer, Slack offers separate MSI files for per-user deployment and machine-wide deployment. If you want to deploy Slack in user context—where the app is available only to the logged-in user—choose the per-user MSI installer. On the other hand, if you need to deploy Slack in device context—making it accessible to anyone using the device—opt for the machine-wide MSI installer. Download Slack MSI Link.
Download Per-user deployment MSI
Download Machine-wide deployment MSI
Due to the number of Installers available for Slack applications, we get many deployment options. In the following sections of the blog post, I will explore all of those methods for deployment of Slack.
Which method to use out of many deployment options ? My recommended method of deployment preference would be Microsoft Store app > MSIX > MSI > EXE. Where Microsoft Store app is the most recommended as it’s easy to use and app is also kept up to date on the target devices and EXE would be the least recommended due to its deployment and management complexity.
Contents
1. Deploying Slack using Microsoft Store App
For deployment of Slack application using Microsoft store app Intune deployment method, follow below steps:
- Sign in to the Intune admin center > Apps > All Apps.
- Click on + Add and Select Microsoft Store app (new) from the App type.
- In the App Information tab, Click on Search the Microsoft Store app (new) to search for Slack.
- Type the name of the app (e.g., Slack) you want to search and press Enter. Select the app from the search results.
- Proceed to create the deployment by referring to this step-by-step guide: Deploy Microsoft Store Apps using Intune.
2. Deploying Slack using .MSIX Installer
You can also deploy Slack application using .MSIX installer. It can be downloaded from Slack website. After downloading MSIX installer file, use the line-of-business app Intune deployment method to deploy Slack app. I have created a blog post which provides step-by-step instructions on how to deploy MSIX apps (e.g., Slack) using Intune. Refer to the post: Deploy MSIX Applications using Intune.
3. Deploying Slack using MSI Installer
Next option to deploy Slack application is by using its MSI Installer. This option is also easy to use and straightforward. Like .MSIX app deployment, .MSI installer is also deployed using line-of-business app deployment method. Therefore, all the steps remain the same.
As discussed in the initial section of the post, Slack provides two MSI installers. One is per-user MSI installer and second one is machine-wide installer. Use the one based on your requirement. Once you have downloaded MSI installer file. Refer to this step-by-step guide for deployment of MSI apps: Deploy MSI Applications using Intune.
4. Deploying Slack using EXE Installer
Another option to deploy Slack is by using its .EXE installer. This option would be the last option i would recommend compared to the previous options, which are easy to use in terms of managing the overall Installation and Uninstallation of the app.
When you use .EXE installer, you will have to use Windows (Win32) app deployment method. For using this method of deployment, you will have to convert Slack application files into .intunewin file and then provide Install and Uninstall commands along with the Detection method to detect the presence of the app on the target devices.
I have created a detailed blog post on the deployment of Win32 apps using Intune. Most of the steps will remain the same except the Install, Uninstall commands and detection steps. Link: Deploy Win32 Apps using Intune.
