Freedom251 › Application Deployment Software
WPKG
What WPKG is
WPKG is free, open-source software for automating software management on Windows workstations. It can install, upgrade, downgrade, remove, or download packages, either silently as a background service or through configured actions. Administrators can target individual computers or groups and maintain an inventory of installed software. Packages may be pushed or pulled from a central server such as Samba or Active Directory, including Linux servers using Samba, Windows servers, and other systems supporting Windows Network Neighborhood. WPKG works in domains, workgroups, over the Internet, or through a VPN without a domain controller. It supports MSI, EXE, InstallShield, Inno Setup, Nullsoft, batch, command, and similar installers without repackaging. Scripts can set printers, synchronize time, adjust permissions, add registry entries, and change Windows settings. WPKG Client runs WPKG when a machine starts and provides graphical configuration. wpkgExpress offers a web interface, while the older WPKG Web Interface is deprecated. The listed stable WPKG release is 1.3.1, dated 14-May-2014.
Who it suits
WPKG suits administrators managing software across Windows workstations in domains, workgroups, or remote VPN and Internet environments. It is also useful when packages must be deployed silently and tracked in an inventory.
What it does well
- Free plan and open-source GPL license
- Supports many installer formats without repackaging
- Targets groups or individual workstations
- Runs across domains, workgroups, Internet, and VPN
- Keeps installed-software inventory
What to know first
- Latest stable release listed is dated 14-May-2014
- WPKG Client installers are for Windows systems
- Older WPKG Web Interface is deprecated
Verdict
WPKG provides broad, scriptable Windows deployment and inventory functions without a license fee. Its older listed stable release and Windows-focused client may matter when planning a current administration setup.
Facts from WPKG's own pages
- Background installs
- It can run as a service and install software silently without user interaction. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Client platforms
- The download page offers WPKG Client 1.3.14 installers for 32-bit and 64-bit systems. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Client service
- WPKG Client provides a service that automatically runs WPKG when a machine starts and a graphical interface for configuring it. · wpkg.org, 2 Oct 2026
- Custom administration
- Custom scripts can synchronize time, set printers, change permissions, add registry entries, and change Windows settings. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Custom scripts
- It can run workstation scripts to set printers, synchronize time, change permissions, add registry entries, and change Windows settings. · wpkg.org, 2 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- It pushes or pulls software packages from a central server such as Samba or Active Directory to workstations. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Download platforms
- The download page lists WPKG Client 1.3.14 installers for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows. · wpkg.org, 2 Oct 2026
- Environments
- WPKG can run in a domain, workgroup, over the Internet, or over a VPN without a domain controller. · wpkg.org, 2 Oct 2026
- Installer formats
- It supports MSI, EXE, InstallShield, Inno Setup, Nullsoft, batch files, and similar installers or scripts without repackaging. · wpkg.org, 2 Oct 2026
- Installers
- It supports MSI, EXE, InstallShield, Inno Setup, Nullsoft, batch and command scripts, and other installer formats. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Inventory
- WPKG can keep an inventory of software installed on Windows workstations. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- License
- WPKG is open source software distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Operating modes
- WPKG can work in a domain, workgroup, over the Internet, or over VPN without a domain controller. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Package management
- It can install, upgrade, downgrade, remove, and download packages through configured actions. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- WPKG automates software deployment, upgrades, and removal for Windows workstations. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The download page labels WPKG 1.3.1, dated 14-May-2014, as the latest stable release. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Security configuration
- The screenshots page says the client execution context defaults to SYSTEM and calls that a recommended and secure setting; it also warns that installation scripts may need administrative privileges. · wpkg.org, 2 Oct 2026
- Server compatibility
- The overview says WPKG works with Linux using Samba, Windows servers, or other systems supporting Windows Network Neighborhood. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Software inventory
- WPKG can keep an inventory of software installed on Windows workstations. · wpkg.org, 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project provides announcement and user mailing lists and directs bug reports and feature requests to its bug tracker. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Targeting
- It can deploy software to groups of computers or individual workstations. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
- Web interface
- The download page describes wpkgExpress as a web interface with package imports and a GUI, and marks the older WPKG Web Interface as deprecated. · wpkg.org, 3 Oct 2026
Where WPKG stands on Freedom251
- Application Deployment Software#26 of 44