FortiClient uses SSL and IPSec VPN to provide secure, reliable access to corporate networks and applications from virtually any internet-connected remote location. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of FortiClient VPN from the command line using both the EXE & MSI installers.
How to Install FortiClient VPN Silently
FortiClient VPN Silent Install (EXE)
- Navigate to: https://www.fortinet.com/support/product-downloads
- Select Product Downloads
- Click the FortiClient VPN only link
- Select Download VPN for Windows
- Download the FortiClientVPNOnlineInstaller_x.x.exe file to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Manually launch the FortiClientVPNOnlineInstaller_x.x.exe installer
- Wait for the FortiClient VPN Setup Wizard to appear and then navigate to the %LocalAppData%\Temp directory
- Copy the FortiClientVPN.exe to the C:\Downloads folder
- Exit & Close the FortiClient VPN Setup Wizard
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command:
FortiClientVPN.exe /quiet /norestart - Press Enter
After a few moments you should see the FortiClient VPN Desktop Shortcut appear. You will also find entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | FortiClient VPN |
| Vendor: | Fortinet Technologies Inc |
| Version: | 7.0.9.0493 |
| Architecture: | x86_x64 |
| Installer Type: | EXE |
| Silent Install Switch: | FortiClientVPN.exe /quiet /norestart |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | MsiExec.exe /x {FF46D152-9845-4ACE-8258-DBA7E3BE9785} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
| Repair Command: | MsiExec.exe /fa {FF46D152-9845-4ACE-8258-DBA7E3BE9785} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
| Download Link: | https://www.fortinet.com/support/product-downloads |
| Video Tutorial: | FortiClient VPN Silent Install (How-To Guide) |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/forticlient-vpn-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
| Detection Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/create-a-custom-detection-script-for-forticlient-vpn-powershell/ |
FortiClient VPN Silent Install (MSI)
- Navigate to: https://www.fortinet.com/support/product-downloads
- Select Product Downloads
- Click the FortiClient VPN only link
- Select Download VPN for Windows
- Download the FortiClientVPNOnlineInstaller_x.x.exe file to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Manually launch the FortiClientVPNOnlineInstaller_x.x.exe installer
- Wait for the FortiClient VPN Setup Wizard and then navigate to “C:\ProgramData\Applications\Cache\{FF46D152-9845-4ACE-8258-DBA7E3BE9785}\7.0.9.0493”
- Copy the FortiClientVPN.msi to the C:\Downloads folder
- Exit & Close the FortiClient VPN Setup Wizard
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command:
MsiExec.exe /i FortiClientVPN.msi REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn
- Press Enter
After a few moments you should see the FortiClient VPN Desktop Shortcut appear. You will also find entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | FortiClient VPN |
| Vendor: | Fortinet Technologies Inc |
| Version: | 7.0.9.0493 |
| Architecture: | x86_x64 |
| Installer Type: | MSI |
| Silent Install Switch: | MsiExec.exe /i FortiClientVPN.msi REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | MsiExec.exe /x {FF46D152-9845-4ACE-8258-DBA7E3BE9785} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
| Repair Command: | MsiExec.exe /fa {FF46D152-9845-4ACE-8258-DBA7E3BE9785} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
| Download Link: | https://www.fortinet.com/support/product-downloads |
| Video Tutorial: | FortiClient VPN Silent Install (How-To Guide) |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/forticlient-vpn-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
| Detection Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/create-a-custom-detection-script-for-forticlient-vpn-powershell/ |
The information above provides a quick overview of the software title, vendor, silent install, and silent uninstall switches. The download links provided take you directly to the vendors website. Continue reading if you are interested in additional details and configurations.
Additional Configurations
Create a FortiClient VPN Installation Log File
The FortiClient VPN installers offer the option to generate a log file during installation to assist with troubleshooting should any problems arise. You can use the following commands to create a verbose log file with details about the installation.
FortiClient VPN Silent Install (EXE) with Logging
FortiClientVPN.exe /quiet /norestart /log "%WINDIR%\Temp\FortiClientVPN-Install.log" |
FortiClient VPN Silent Install (MSI) with Logging
MsiExec.exe /i FortiClientVPN.msi REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn /L*v "%WINDIR%\Temp\FortiClientVPN-Install.log" |
Exclude Desktop Shortcut During FortiClient VPN Install
The FortiClient VPN installer creates a desktop shortcut by default. If you don’t want the desktop shortcut, then you can run the following command line switch using the MSI to exclude it.
FortiClient VPN Silent Install (MSI) with No Desktop Shortcut
MsiExec.exe /i FortiClientVPN.msi DESKTOPSHORTCUT=0 REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
How to Uninstall FortiClient VPN Silently
Check out the FortiClient VPN Install and Uninstall (PowerShell) post for a scripted solution.
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Enter one of the following commands:
| Version | FortiClient VPN Silent Uninstall String |
7.0.9.0493 | MsiExec.exe /x {FF46D152-9845-4ACE-8258-DBA7E3BE9785} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
7.0.8.0427 | MsiExec.exe /x {0272F040-0C81-4077-9AA7-82CCD495ADCA} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
7.0.7.0345 | MsiExec.exe /x {32123CA3-C24D-4A99-9347-70049B8E4C23} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
7.0.6.0290 | MsiExec.exe /x {CAE02F27-4AC1-473B-B78A-179183D2AFFD} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
7.0.5.0238 | MsiExec.exe /x {2C4B3A44-AE16-4D4A-87F7-32016C4AEB18} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
7.0.2.0090 | MsiExec.exe /x {A0E304BB-C9D7-4B3A-99E8-A20C793DD374} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
7.0.1.0083 | MsiExec.exe /x {86A227AF-FF8F-474A-9B74-C9A5C29E83E0} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
7.0.0.0029 | MsiExec.exe /x {F1343266-CE79-4195-815C-9B59B7FD8056} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
6.4.3.1608 | MsiExec.exe /x {D1C40D34-0329-4F09-B2FC-82365C56DF16} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
6.4.2.1580 | MsiExec.exe /x {C0BEAA5B-4422-4FF8-B616-9F269C360290} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
6.4.1.1519 | MsiExec.exe /x {AFE93A24-F5E9-4E53-BBFE-AF54AA25FBFF} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
6.2.6.0951 | MsiExec.exe /x {A43400FD-C5F7-4E6D-B258-E271AB41FC93} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
6.2.0.0780 | MsiExec.exe /x {A0B58B60-2749-4D61-BBE1-DB38826EAFBA} REBOOT=ReallySuppress /qn |
Always make sure to test everything in a development environment prior to implementing anything into production. The information in this article is provided “As Is” without warranty of any kind.
