SharePoint 2010 - Upload and Install Setup files (.exe, .msi etc) from a Document Library

Overview
Recently I came across a scenario where an .msi file needed to be uploaded to a SharePoint 2010 document library. Also, on clicking the setup file, it should run directly instead of downloading the file. After a few modifications in the central admin, I was able to achieve this. Following are the steps:-

Objective
1) By default, SharePoint doesn't allow files like .exe or .msi to be uploaded in the document library. First of all we need to allow these files to be uploaded.
2) Secondly, whenever we click on a file in document library, by default it has only download option. We must have and addition "Run" option too.

So, lets get started.....

Enabling setup files (exe, msi etc) to be Uploaded to Document Library

Create a document library and try to upload an .msi file.

You will get the following error

To unblock such files, go to Central Admin->Security->Define blocked file types.

Choose the webapplication, select msi option and delete it. Click on OK button to save the settings.

Now go back to the library and try to upload the msi file. It will get uploaded.

But if click on this file you will get only the option for saving the file. We need the option to run it directly.

Enabling setup files (exe, msi etc) to Run from Document Library

Go to Central Admin->Application Management->Manage Web Applications. Choose the web application and select General Settings.

The following window will pop up. In the "Browser File Handling" section select "Permissive" option.

Now go back to the document library and click on the file. This time you will get a "Run" option.

When you click on Run, the installation will begin.

Of course, there is a reason why these functionalities are blocked by default. While making such changes, always make sure that there are no security loop holes.

Hope this post might be of some help to you!!