In this post we will learn how to install client on workgroup computer. There is no way client push method to install client on workgroup clients. So everything needs to be done manually. Since it is a manual task, there would be a chances for manual errors. This post will covers below points
- Limitations
- Prerequisite
- How to install
- Extra
LIMITATIONS
Below the are limitations of workgoup client
- Workgroup clients can’t locate management points from Active Directory Domain Services.
- You can’t configure a workgroup client as a distribution point
- Can’t use Kerberos for authentication
- No client push method, only manual installation
- Can’t deploy software to users of workgroup computers
- Can’t discover through AD discovery
PREREQUISITE CHECK
Here we will see the steps required before installation of workgroup sccm client
- In the SCCM Server and append the Host entry in the Host file for the client machine.
Folder path : C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
Hosts : Client IPClientHostname |
2. Login to the Client, Go to the below folder path in the client machine and update the following entries for Hosts and LMhost file.
Folder path : C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
Hosts : <IP> <SERVERNAME> <SERVER FDQN> |
LMhost : <IP> < HOSTNAME> <IP> “MP_PRI \0x1A” <IP> “SMS_PRI \0x1A” |
NOTE: Don’t leave space before the IP Address
3. Both the LMHOSTS and the HOSTS file can be found in the \windows\system32\drivers\etc directory. LMHOSTS will be named LMHOSTS.sam. So after editing the file you will need to remove the .sam extension.
4. Once that is completed, open a command prompt and run the following command:
nbtstat -R |
This will load the LMHOSTS file.

5. Open Network Connections -> Advanced Tab and do the following changes in DNS and WINS

Add DNS Suffix XYZ.com


- Check the “Enable LMHOSTS lookup
- Select the Radio button for “Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP”.
6. After completing these configuration steps, Ensure SCCM Primary server share folders are accessible from the machine using Hostname.
7. Also check the client machine drives is accessible form the SCCM primary using hostname
8. Run the following command line if a client is installed partially on the machine.
Command line: ccmsetup.exe /uninstall |
9.Once uninstalled, delete the CCM, ccmcache and ccmsetup folder from the system drive

HOW TO INSTALL
Below are the steps to install workgroup client
1.Copy the SCCM Client source file to the client machine.
2. Open Command Prompt, go to SCCM 2012 source folder path and install the client with the below command installation properties.
CCMSetup.exe /MP:<FDQN OF MP> /logon SMSSITECODE= <SITECODE> DNSSUFFIX=XYZ.com
Monitor the client installation progress in ccmsetup.log
Please refer below links for sccm client installation errors and solution. Click here