The difference between available vs required in SCCM – With any software deployment of SCCM you will always have the option to make it either available or required. In this article we’ll go over what you need to know for both as well as the pros and cons of each.
Available Deployment in SCCM
The available option in SCCM grants the user the choice of installing a certain software. If they don’t want it installed on their machine, they don’t necessarily have to have it. The option is left entirely up to the user and it will be up to you to notify them as well as train them on how to access it.
Required Deployment in SCCM
The required option in SCCM forces the deployment without any option for the user. If an SCCM administrator decides they need a machine to have a software installed, they will choose the required option. As an SCCM administrator myself, I rarely leave the option up to the user, but that’s because most time they don’t know what to do or where to look. I make an effort to make it as easy and seamless as possible so I don’t disturb their workflow. This also means that all my deployments are automated with zero interaction from the user. It takes a little time setting up but once it’s up and running it’s like a well lubed machine.
Available vs Required in SCCM Conclusion
Available – If the application is deployed to a user, the user sees the published application and can request it on demand. If the application is deployed to a device, the user will see it in the Software Center and can install it on demand. Basically meaning Available applications mean that users can choose to install the software when they want.
Required – If the application is deployed it will automatically send it to their computer. A user can track the application deployment status if it is not hidden, and can install the application before the deadline by using the Software Center. Required applications have an installation schedule and automatically install if they are not already installed by a defined deadline.
Note – When the deployment action is set to Uninstall, the deployment purpose is automatically set to Required and cannot be changed.
