Devolutions Password Manager pre-configuration

Windows

What is pre-configuration?

Pre-configuration allows IT administrators to deploy Devolutions Password Manager Windows app with pre-configured settings and workspaces (Devolutions Server and Devolutions Cloud) across Windows endpoints. This eliminates the need for end users to manually configure the application after installation.

Key benefits

• Zero-touch deployment: Users start with fully configured applications

• Consistency: Ensure all users have the same workspaces and settings

• Time savings: Eliminate manual configuration steps

• Flexibility: Multiple deployment methods to fit different IT infrastructures

• Scalability: Deploy to hundreds or thousands of endpoints efficiently

How it works

1. An IT Admin configures workspaces and settings via MSI parameters or configuration files.

2. Deployment tool pushes installation to managed devices (Intune, SCCM, PDQ Deploy, etc.).

3. Users launche app for the first time.

4. The app reads the configuration and automatically creates workspaces.

5. Users log in to complete the connection.

Important notes

• Authentication required: Pre-configured workspaces are created in a "pending" state. Users must still log in to complete the connection.

• First launch only: Configuration is applied once on first launch. Subsequent changes require app reinstallation or manual configuration.

• Credentials NOT Stored: Pre-configuration does NOT include user credentials. Users must log in with their own credentials.

Deployment methods

Method 1: MSI Installer Parameters

Pass configuration parameters directly to the Windows installer during deployment. You can combine workspace parameters with application settings.

Use case: Quick deployments, simple configurations, testing

• Basic example (workspaces only):

msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn DVLS_SERVER_URL="https://server.com" HUB_NAME="mycompany"

• With settings (workspaces + application settings):

msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn ^
  DVLS_SERVER_URL="https://server.com" ^
  HUB_NAME="mycompany" ^
  ORGANIZATION_ID="guid-here" ^
  LANGUAGE="fr" ^
  LOCKING_OPTION="windowsCredentials"

Limitations: Only one Devolutions Server can be configured via MSI parameters. For multiple servers, use Method 2.

Method 2: Configuration file deployment (recommended for enterprise)

Deploy a pre-created .cfg file to target systems.

• Use case: Intune, SCCM, complex configurations, multiple workspaces

Option A: System-Wide Deployment (DEPLOY_CONFIG) - RECOMMENDED

msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn DEPLOY_CONFIG="C:\path\to\Config.cfg"

• Target: %ProgramData%\net.devolutions\Workspace\DefaultConfig.cfg

• How it works:

1. MSI writes config to ProgramData during installation

2. When any user launches Devolutions Password Manager, the app detects system-wide config

3. Config automatically copies to user's Roaming profile

4. User has configured application

Why DEPLOY_CONFIG for enterprise:

1. Reliable: Works regardless of user context (no "Default user" issues)

2. Consistent: All users on machine get same configuration

3. Automation-friendly: Perfect for Intune, SCCM, silent installs

4. Multi-user support: Applies to all existing and future users

• Best for: Intune, SCCM, silent installs, multi-user machines, shared workstations

Option B: Per-user deployment (USER_CONFIG)

msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn USER_CONFIG="C:\path\to\Config.cfg"

• Target: %LOCALAPPDATA%\net.devolutions\Workspace\Config.cfg

• How it works:

1. MSI writes config to installing user's Local AppData

2. User launches Devolutions Password Manager

3. Config copies to user's Roaming profile

4. Only that user has configured application

• Limitations:

1. Only configures the user who ran the installer

2. May fail in automated deployments (user context issues)

3. Not suitable for multi-user machines

• Best for: Interactive installations by end users, single-user devices

Method 3: UI-based configuration creator

Use the desktop application to create configuration files and MSI commands.

• Use case: IT administrators preparing deployment packages

• Access: Tools – Custom installation (in the desktop application)

See Configuration file creator section for details.

Configuration file structure

Configuration files use the .cfg extension and contain JSON-formatted data.

File format

{
  "hubs": [
    {
      "url": "https://mycompany.devolutions.app",
      "organizationId": "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000",
      "type": "Business",
      "version": ""
    }
  ],
  "dvls": [
    {
      "name": "Production DVLS",
      "serverUrl": "https://devolutions-server.company.com",
      "serverVersion": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "Development DVLS",
      "serverUrl": "https://devolutions-server-dev.company.com",
      "serverVersion": ""
    }
  ],
  "configs": {
    "language": "en-US",
    "reduceToTrayOnClose": true,
    "clearClipboardSensitiveData": true,
    "clipboardTimer": 30,
    "useFavicon": true,
    "useEntriesSyncOnDatasourceAccess": false,
    "useHubEmbeddedBrowser": true,
    "shareUsageData": false,
    "lockingOption": "windowsCredentials",
    "useBackgroundLock": true,
    "useLockWhenInactive": true,
    "lockInactivityDelay": 300
  }
}

Schema components

Devolutions Cloud array (optional)

Array of Devolutions Cloud instances to configure.

Field	Type	Required	Description
url	string	Yes	Devolutions Cloud URL (e.g., https://mycompany.devolutions.app)
organizationId	string	Yes	Organization GUID
type	string	No	Always "Business" (auto-populated)
version	string	No	Devolutions Cloud version (auto-populated on first connection)

Devolutions Server array (optional)

Array of Devolutions Server instances to configure.

Field	Type	Required	Description
name	string	Yes	Display name for the server
serverUrl	string	Yes	Devolutions Server URL (e.g., https://devolutions-server.company.com)
serverVersion	string	No	Server version (auto-populated on first connection)

Configs Object (Optional)

Application settings to pre-configure.

See Configuration settings reference for complete list.

Configuration file locations

Configuration files are loaded in priority order based on location.

User-level configuration

• Roaming AppData: %APPDATA%\net.devolutions\Workspace\Config.cfg

• Default: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\net.devolutions\Workspace\Config.cfg

• Syncs across domain-joined computers

• Highest priority (user-specific)

• Local AppData: %LOCALAPPDATA%\net.devolutions\Workspace\Config.cfg

• Default: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\net.devolutions\Workspace\Config.cfg

• Machine-specific, not synced

• Used during MSI installation, then copied to Roaming

System-wide configuration

• ProgramData: %ProgramData%\net.devolutions\Workspace\DefaultConfig.cfg

• Default: C:\ProgramData\net.devolutions\Workspace\DefaultConfig.cfg

• Applies to all users on the system

• Requires config.ready indicator file in same directory

• Copied to user Roaming location on first launch (if user config doesn't exist)

Indicator file

• File: config.ready

• Location: Same directory as DefaultConfig.cfg

• Purpose: Signals that system-wide config is ready for deployment

• Content: Empty file, presence is checked only

Priority order

Configuration sources are checked in the following order (first found wins):

1. User Configuration File – User – specific config

2. System Configuration File – System – wide default (copied to user location)

MSI Installer Parameters

The Windows MSI installer accepts the following parameters for pre-configuration.

Workspace parameters

Devolutions Server configuration

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
DVLS_SERVER_URL	String	Devolutions Server URL	https://devolutions-server.company.com

• Note: Only one (Devolutions Server can be configured via MSI parameters. For multiple servers, use a configuration file.)

Devolutions Cloud configuration

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
HUB_NAME	String	Devolutions Cloud subdomain name (required)	mycompany
ORGANIZATION_ID	String	Organization GUID (optional - leave empty if not applicable)	00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

• Note: The full Devolutions Cloud URL is constructed as https://{HUB_NAME}.devolutions.app

• Note: ORGANIZATION_ID is optional. Some Devolutions Cloud instances don't require an organization ID. If not applicable, you can omit this parameter or pass an empty string.

Configuration file deployment parameters

Parameter	Type	Description	Target Location
DEPLOY_CONFIG	String	System-wide config (recommended)	%ProgramData%\net.devolutions\Workspace\DefaultConfig.cfg
USER_CONFIG	String	Per-user config (interactive installs)	%LOCALAPPDATA%\net.devolutions\Workspace\Config.cfg

Application settings parameters

General settings

Parameter	Type	Values	Default	Description
TARGET_LOCATION	String	roaming, local, system	roaming	Where to save configuration.
LANGUAGE	String	Language code	en-US	Application language.

User interface settings

Parameter	Type	Values	Default	Description
REDUCE_TO_TRAY_ON_CLOSE	String	true, false	false	Minimize to system tray instead of closing.
USE_FAVICON	String	true, false	false	Download and display website favicons.
USE_HUB_EMBEDDED_BROWSER	String	true, false	true	Use embedded browser for Devolutions Cloud authentication.

Security settings

Parameter	Type	Values	Default	Description
CLEAR_CLIPBOARD_SENSITIVE_DATA	String	true, false	false	Auto-clear clipboard after copying passwords.
CLIPBOARD_TIMER	Number	Seconds (1-999)	30	Seconds before clearing clipboard.
LOCKING_OPTION	String	password, biometric, windowsCredentials	(none)	Method to lock application.
USE_BACKGROUND_LOCK	String	true, false	false	Lock when minimized to tray.
USE_LOCK_WHEN_INACTIVE	String	true, false	false	Lock after period of inactivity.
LOCK_INACTIVITY_DELAY	Number	Seconds (30-3600)	30	Seconds before auto-lock.

Synchronization settings

Parameter	Type	Values	Default	Description
USE_ENTRIES_SYNC_ON_DATASOURCE_ACCESS	String	true, false	false	Auto-sync entries when accessing workspace.

Privacy settings

Parameter	Type	Values	Default	Description
SHARE_USAGE_DATA	String	true, false	true	Share anonymous usage statistics.

Configuration file creator

The desktop application includes a visual tool for creating configuration files.

Accessing the tool

1. Launch Devolutions Password Manager.

2. Navigate to: Tools – Custom Installation.

Features

Export tab (Create configuration)

1. Workspace selection.

• View all configured (Devolutions Server and Devolutions Cloud instances)

• Select which workspaces to include via checkboxes

• Multiple workspaces supported

1. Settings Configuration

• Enable/disable individual application settings grouped by category:

• General (Language, Tray behavior)

• Security (Clipboard, Locking)

• Synchronization

• Privacy (Usage statistics)

1. Live Preview

• Real-time JSON preview of configuration

• Copy JSON to clipboard

• Preview updates as selections change

1. Export Options

• Generate .cfg File: Save configuration to .cfg file

• Copy MSI Command: Generate complete MSI command with all parameters

Import tab (Load configuration)

1. File Selection

• Browse for .cfg files

• File validation and parsing

1. Preview Before Import

• View workspaces and settings before applying

• Duplicate detection (warns if workspace already exists)

1. Import Actions

• Applies configuration to current application

• Creates new workspaces if they don't exist

• Updates settings immediately

Configuration settings reference

Complete reference of all configurable settings.

Settings key mapping

Export Key (Config/MSI)	Internal Key	Type	Default	Description
language	languageCode	String	en-US	Application UI language
reduceToTrayOnClose	minimizeOnClose	Boolean	false	Minimize to tray instead of exiting
clearClipboardSensitiveData	removeSensitiveFromKeyboard	Boolean	false	Auto-clear clipboard timer
clipboardTimer	clipboardTimer	Integer	30	Seconds before clearing clipboard (1-999)
useFavicon	useRichIcons	Boolean	false	Download website favicons for entries
useEntriesSyncOnDatasourceAccess	useEntriesSyncSpaceAccess	Boolean	false	Auto-sync entries when accessing workspace
useHubEmbeddedBrowser	hubEmbeddedBrowser	Boolean	true	Use embedded browser for Devolutions Cloud authentication
shareUsageData	shareAnonymousData	Boolean	true	Share anonymous usage statistics
lockingOption	lockingOption	String	(none)	Lock method: password, biometric, windowsCredentials
useBackgroundLock	useBackgroundLock	Boolean	false	Lock when minimized to tray
useLockWhenInactive	useLockWhenInactive	Boolean	false	Lock after period of inactivity
lockInactivityDelay	lockInactivityDelay	Integer	30	Seconds before auto-lock (30-3600)

Supported languages

Code	Language
en-US	English (United States)
fr	French
de	German
es	Spanish
cs	Czech
hu	Hungarian
it	Italian
nl	Dutch
pl	Polish
ru	Russian
sv	Swedish
tr	Turkish
uk	Ukrainian
zh-CHS	Chinese (Simplified)
zh-TW	Chinese (Traditional)

Locking options

Value	Description	Requirements
password	Master password	User sets password on first lock
biometric	Fingerprint/Face ID	Biometric hardware required
windowsCredentials	Windows Hello	Windows 10/11 with Windows Hello

• Note: If Windows Hello is not available, falls back to password.

Deployment examples

Example 1: Single Devolutions Server with Security settings

msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn ^
  DVLS_SERVER_URL="https://devolutions-server.company.com" ^
  LOCKING_OPTION="windowsCredentials" ^
  USE_LOCK_WHEN_INACTIVE="true" ^
  LOCK_INACTIVITY_DELAY="300" ^
  CLEAR_CLIPBOARD_SENSITIVE_DATA="true" ^
  CLIPBOARD_TIMER="60"

Example 2: Devolutions Cloud with French language

# With Organization ID
msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn ^
  HUB_NAME="mycompany" ^
  ORGANIZATION_ID="12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789abc" ^
  LANGUAGE="fr" ^
  REDUCE_TO_TRAY_ON_CLOSE="true"

# Without Organization ID (for Devolutions Cloud instances that don't require it)
msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn ^
  HUB_NAME="mycompany" ^
  LANGUAGE="fr" ^
  REDUCE_TO_TRAY_ON_CLOSE="true"

Example 3: Microsoft Intune deployment

Step 1: Prepare files

Create a working folder (e.g., C:\IntuneApps\Workspace\) and place these files:

• Workspace.msi

• config.cfg (created via Tools – Custom installation or manually)

• Install-Workspace.ps1 (PowerShell script below)

Step 2: PowerShell installation script

Create Install-Workspace.ps1:

# Install-Workspace.ps1
# Source files in the Intune package
$ConfigSource = "$PSScriptRoot\config.cfg"
$ConfigTarget = "C:\Program Files\config.cfg"
$MsiPath = "$PSScriptRoot\Workspace.msi"

# Copy config.cfg to Program Files
try {
    Copy-Item -Path $ConfigSource -Destination $ConfigTarget -Force
} catch {
    Write-Host "Error copying config file: $($_.Exception.Message)"
    exit 1
}

# Install MSI silently with DEPLOY_CONFIG parameter
$Arguments = "/i `"$MsiPath`" /qn /norestart DEPLOY_CONFIG=`"C:\Program Files\config.cfg`""
$Process = Start-Process "msiexec.exe" -ArgumentList $Arguments -Wait -PassThru

# Return exit code to Intune
exit $Process.ExitCode

Step 3: Create .intunewin Package

Use the Microsoft Win32 Content Prep Tool (IntuneWinAppUtil.exe):

IntuneWinAppUtil.exe -c C:\IntuneApps\Workspace -s Install-Workspace.ps1 -o C:\IntuneApps\Output

Step 4: Configure Intune application

In Microsoft Intune Portal:

1. Navigate to: Apps – Windows – Add – Windows app (Win32)

2. App Package File: Upload Workspace.intunewin

3. App Information: Fill in name, description, publisher

4. Program configuration:

• Install command: powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\Install-Workspace.ps1

• Uninstall command: msiexec.exe /x {PRODUCT-CODE-GUID} /qn /norestart

• Install behavior: System

1. Requirements: Windows 10 1607+ (64-bit)

2. Detection Rules: MSI product code (auto-detected)

3. Assignments: Assign to target groups

Installation Flow on the endpoint

When the app is deployed to a device, the following happens automatically:

1. Intune downloads and executes Install-Workspace.ps1

2. The script copies config.cfg to C:\Program Files\config.cfg

3. The script installs the MSI with DEPLOY_CONFIG="C:\Program Files\config.cfg"

4. The MSI reads the configuration file and writes it to %ProgramData%\net.devolutions\Workspace\DefaultConfig.cfg

5. When a user launches Devolutions Password Manager, the app detects the system-wide config and applies it

The result: the configuration file is distributed with the application, placed automatically in the correct location, and the installation is fully silent and Intune-compatible.

Example 4: SCCM Deployment

• Install command:

msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn /norestart DEPLOY_CONFIG="%~dp0Config.cfg"

• Uninstall command:

msiexec /x {PRODUCT-CODE} /qn /norestart

• Detection method: Registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Devolutions\Workspace\Version

Example 5: Multiple Devolutions Server via config file

Create config.cfg:

{
  "dvls": [
    {
      "name": "Production Devolutions Server",
      "serverUrl": "https://devolutions-server-prod.company.com"
    },
    {
      "name": "Development Devolutions Server",
      "serverUrl": "https://devolutions-server-dev.company.com"
    },
    {
      "name": "Test Devolutions Server",
      "serverUrl": "https://devolutions-server-test.company.com"
    }
  ],
  "configs": {
    "language": "en-US",
    "shareUsageData": false
  }
}

Deploy via:

msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn DEPLOY_CONFIG="\\fileserver\IT\Workspace\config.cfg"

Troubleshooting

Configuration not applied

Configuration file present but settings not applied.

1. Check file location: Verify correct path (%ProgramData%\net.devolutions\Workspace\DefaultConfig.cfg)

2. Check JSON validity: Validate JSON syntax (no trailing commas, proper quotes)

3. Check permissions: User must have read access to config file

4. Verify indicator file: Check if config.ready file exists in same directory

5. Check logs: Review application logs for parsing errors

Indicator file missing

• Problem: System-wide configuration ignored.

• Solution: Create config.ready file:

type nul > "%ProgramData%\net.devolutions\Workspace\config.ready"

USER_CONFIG deploys to "default" user profile

• Problem: USER_CONFIG fails in silent/automated installs, config ends up in C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local.

• Cause: USER_CONFIG requires active user session context, which isn't available during automated MSI installation.

• Solution: Use DEPLOY_CONFIG for enterprise deployments:

# CORRECT for Intune/SCCM
msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn /norestart DEPLOY_CONFIG="%~dp0Config.cfg"

# WRONG for automated deployment
msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn /norestart USER_CONFIG="%~dp0Config.cfg"

MSI silent install not applying config

MSI parameters not creating configuration.

1. Check parameter syntax: Ensure proper quoting (use "value", not 'value')

2. Log MSI installation: Add /l*v install.log to see detailed errors

3. Verify PowerShell execution: Check if execution policy blocks scripts

4. Administrative rights: Ensure installer runs with elevation

• Example with logging:

msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn /l*v C:\Temp\install.log DVLS_SERVER_URL="https://server.com"

Settings not persisting

Settings revert to defaults after restart.

1. User vs System Config: System config only applies if user config doesn't exist. Once user modifies settings, they are saved to user config and override system defaults.

2. Group Policy Override: Check if GPO is enforcing settings

3. File Permissions: Verify write permissions to user config location

Workspace already exists

Problem: Import fails with "workspace already exists" message.

Explanation: Configuration parser detects duplicates by normalized URL (case-insensitive, trailing slash removed).

1. Remove existing workspace manually before importing

2. Edit configuration file to remove duplicate entries

3. Use Custom Installation tool to merge configurations

Locking option not working

Windows Hello not activating.

1. Windows Hello Setup: Ensure Windows Hello is configured in Windows Settings

2. Fallback: System automatically falls back to password if hardware unavailable

3. Check logs: Review application logs for biometric initialization errors

Best practices

1. Test configuration first

Before deploying to all users:

1. Create a test user/device group

2. Apply configuration to test group

3. Verify workspaces and settings work as expected

4. Roll out to production

2.Use DEPLOY_CONFIG for enterprise

• Always use DEPLOY_CONFIG for:

• Intune deployments

• SCCM deployments

• Silent/unattended installations

• Multi-user machines

• Shared workstations

• Only use USER_CONFIG for:

• Interactive installations by end users

• Single-user devices

• Testing scenarios

3. Document configuration

Maintain documentation of your configuration including:

• Which workspaces are pre-configured

• What settings are enforced

• Expected user experience

• Support contact for issues

4. User communication

Inform users:

• Workspaces will be pre-configured

• They still need to log in with their credentials

• Configuration happens on first app launch

• Contact IT if workspaces don't appear

5. Security considerations

Recommended security settings:

{
  "lockingOption": "windowsCredentials",
  "useBackgroundLock": true,
  "useLockWhenInactive": true,
  "lockInactivityDelay": 300,
  "clearClipboardSensitiveData": true,
  "clipboardTimer": 60,
  "shareUsageData": false
}

Why:

• Enforces Windows Hello authentication

• Locks app immediately when backgrounded

• Auto-locks after 5 minutes of inactivity

• Clears clipboard after 60 seconds

• Disables usage data collection (optional)

6. URL format requirements

All URLs must:

• Include protocol (https://)

• Be valid, accessible URLs

• Not end with trailing slash (app will normalize)

Examples:

• https://devolutions-server.company.com

• https://password-manager.devolutions.app

• devolutions-server.company.com (missing https://)

• http://devolutions-server.company.com (HTTP not recommended)

7. Domain vs standalone considerations

• Domain-Joined: Use Roaming AppData (TARGET_LOCATION="roaming") for profile sync

• Standalone: Use Local AppData (TARGET_LOCATION="local") or System (TARGET_LOCATION="system")

Quick reference

Minimal configuration template

{
  "dvls": [
    {
      "name": "Devolutions Server",
      "serverUrl": "https://devolutions-server.example.com"
    }
  ]
}

Recommended enterprise deployment command

msiexec /i Workspace.msi /qn /norestart DEPLOY_CONFIG="\\server\share\Config.cfg"

macOS

iOS