Create a custom client installer package

You can create a custom client installer package and use it on each client computer to install the Remote Desktop software, create new user names and passwords, and set access privileges and preferences automatically.

Important: Custom installer packages that create user names contain sensitive password data. Store and transmit custom installers securely.

  1. Choose File > Create Client Installer.

    The Create Client Installer setup assistant appears.

  2. In Create Client Installer, select Yes, then click Continue.

    If you choose not to create a custom installer package, you create a basic installer package that sets no preferences on the client computer.

  3. In Customizing the Installer, click Continue.

  4. In Starting Remote Desktop, select the following options, then click Continue.

    • Choose whether to start remote management at system startup.

    • Choose whether to hide or show the Remote Desktop menu bar icon.

  5. In User Accounts, choose whether to create a new user that can administer the computer using Remote Desktop, then click Continue.

    Creating a new user account with Remote Desktop administrator privileges doesn’t overwrite existing user accounts or change existing user passwords on the client computer.

    If you choose not to create a new user account, skip to step 7.

  6. In Users to be Created, click Add, then enter the user’s name and password. When you finish adding users, click Continue.

  7. In Incoming Access, choose which users to give administrator access privileges by doing the following:

    • Select “Enable directory-based administration” to give access to users with accounts in a specified group on a directory server. For information, see Enable directory services group authorization.

    • Select “Set Remote Desktop access mode” to choose whether to give uniform remote management access privileges to all local users, or to give access to specific local users. If you deselect this, the client computer’s settings are used.

    • Choose whether you want to set remote management access privileges for specific users.

      If you choose not to set remote management access privileges for specific users, skip to step 9.

  8. In Access Privileges, click Add to add a user, or select an existing user and click Edit. Provide the user’s short name and set the privileges as needed, then click Continue.

    For information, see About access privileges.

  9. In Screen Sharing Options, do the following, then click Continue:

    • Choose whether to allow temporary access to a guest administrator when the administrator requests permission on the client computers.

    • Choose whether to allow computers running non-Apple VNC software to control the client computers.

    For information, see Virtual network computing access and control.

  10. In System Data, enter information about this computer that you want to appear in System Overview reports. For example, you can enter an order number, date of purchase, or a deployment date. Then click Continue.

  11. In Save Installer, select a location for the installer package, then click Continue.

    An installer package (.pkg file) is created in the designated location.

  12. Click Done.