A: It isn't possible to pass switches to an MSI file deployed with Group Policy. However, the solution is to use a transform file (MST) with the MSI file to specify specific configurations. Note that the /qb switch (quiet) is automatically set for applications deployed using Group Policy.

Another option is to use the Orca tool, which is part of the Windows SDK Components for Windows Installer Developers. It can be used to create and modify Windows Installer files in addition to create transform files. For details on Orca see the MSDN Orca webpage

For more FAQs about Group Policy, System Center, Windows 8, virtualization, and more, go to John Savill's FAQs.