The Yubico Authenticator is a graphical desktop tool and command line tool for generating Open AuTHentication (OATH) event-based HOTP and time-based TOTP one-time password codes, with the help of a YubiKey that protects the shared secrets. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of the Yubico Authenticator from the command line using both the MSI & EXE installers.
How to Install Yubico Authenticator Silently
Yubico Authenticator 32-bit Silent Install (MSI)
- Navigate to: https://developers.yubico.com/yubioath-desktop/Releases/yubioath-desktop-latest-win32.msi
- Download the yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win32.msi to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- 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 yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win32.msi /qn
- Press Enter
After a few moments you will find Yubico Authenticator entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | Yubico Authenticator |
| Vendor: | Yubico AB |
| Architecture: | x86 |
| Installer Type: | MSI |
| Silent Install Switch: | MsiExec.exe /i yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win32.msi /qn |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | MsiExec.exe /x yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win32.msi /qn |
| Repair Command: | MsiExec.exe /fa yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win32.msi /qn |
| Download Link: | https://developers.yubico.com/yubioath-desktop/Releases/yubioath-desktop-latest-win32.msi |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/yubico-authenticator-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
Yubico Authenticator 64-bit Silent Install (MSI)
- Navigate to: https://developers.yubico.com/yubioath-desktop/Releases/yubioath-desktop-latest-win64.msi
- Download the yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win64.msi to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- 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 yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win64.msi /qn
- Press Enter
After a few moments you will find Yubico Authenticator entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | Yubico Authenticator |
| Vendor: | Yubico AB |
| Architecture: | x64 |
| Installer Type: | MSI |
| Silent Install Switch: | MsiExec.exe /i yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win64.msi /qn |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | MsiExec.exe /x yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win64.msi /qn |
| Repair Command: | MsiExec.exe /fa yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win64.msi /qn |
| Download Link: | https://developers.yubico.com/yubioath-desktop/Releases/yubioath-desktop-latest-win64.msi |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/yubico-authenticator-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
Yubico Authenticator 32-bit Silent Install (EXE)
- Navigate to: https://developers.yubico.com/yubioath-desktop/Releases/
- Select the 32-bit EXE version of your choice
- Download the yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win32.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- 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: yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win32.exe /S
- Press Enter
After a few moments you will find Yubico Authenticator entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | Yubico Authenticator |
| Vendor: | Yubico AB |
| Architecture: | x86 |
| Installer Type: | EXE |
| Silent Install Switch: | yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win32.exe /S |
| Silent Uninstall Switch (32-bit System) | "%ProgramFiles%\Yubico\Yubico Authenticator\yubioath-desktop-uninstall.exe" /S |
| Silent Uninstall Switch (64-bit System) | "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Yubico\Yubico Authenticator\yubioath-desktop-uninstall.exe" /S |
| Download Link: | https://developers.yubico.com/yubioath-desktop/Releases/ |
Yubico Authenticator 64-bit Silent Install (EXE)
- Navigate to: https://developers.yubico.com/yubioath-desktop/Releases/
- Select the 64-bit EXE version of your choice
- Download the yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win64.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- 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: yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win64.exe /S
- Press Enter
After a few moments you will find Yubico Authenticator entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | Yubico Authenticator |
| Vendor: | Yubico AB |
| Architecture: | x64 |
| Installer Type: | EXE |
| Silent Install Switch: | yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win64.exe /S |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | "%ProgramFiles%\Yubico\Yubico Authenticator\yubioath-desktop-uninstall.exe" /S |
| Download Link: | https://developers.yubico.com/yubioath-desktop/Releases/ |
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 Yubico Authenticator Installation Log File
The Yubico Authenticator MSI 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.
Yubico Authenticator 32-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Logging
MsiExec.exe /i yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win32.msi /qn /L*v "%WINDIR%\Temp\YubicoAuth32-Install.log" |
Yubico Authenticator 64-bit Silent Install (MSI) with Logging
MsiExec.exe /i yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win64.msi /qn /L*v "%WINDIR%\Temp\YubicoAuth64-Install.log" |
How to Uninstall Yubico Authenticator Silently
Check out the Yubico Authenticator 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:
Yubico Authenticator 32-bit Silent Uninstall (MSI)
MsiExec.exe /x yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win32.msi /qn |
Yubico Authenticator 64-bit Silent Uninstall (MSI)
MsiExec.exe /x yubioath-desktop-x.y.z-win64.msi /qn |
Yubico Authenticator 32-bit Silent Uninstall (EXE) on 32-bit System
"%ProgramFiles%\Yubico\Yubico Authenticator\yubioath-desktop-uninstall.exe" /S |
Yubico Authenticator 32-bit Silent Uninstall (EXE) on 64-bit System
"%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Yubico\Yubico Authenticator\yubioath-desktop-uninstall.exe" /S |
Yubico Authenticator 64-bit Silent Uninstall (EXE) on 64-bit System
"%ProgramFiles%\Yubico\Yubico Authenticator\yubioath-desktop-uninstall.exe" /S |
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.