The ultimate Windows answer file

[SUOrangeman]

I'm not going to start this now, but I have the urge to create the ultimate answer file for installing Windows. But, I need some ideas. Start with these articles:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q236/6/21.ASP
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/win2k_custom_install.asp

Here are some things I want to be able to customize:

Disable MSN, AOL, etc. Never put it on the HD.
Move default Temporary Internet Files
Move default Temp
Move default My Documents/Documents and Settings
Set pagefile and conservative use
Get rid of My Breifcase and Exchange

I'd also want to make this thing as compatible with ALL Windows releases as possible.

Did I miss anything? What have you come up with?

I'll hopefully post more thoughts tomorrow.

-SUO

 

[UnixFreak]

You could also add instructions for the

<< Clean and fast >>

method, which I,
[*]FDISK the drive
[*]Format /C
[*]Run scandisk
[*]Copy cab files to /win98 from CD
[*]copy setup.exe to C:\
[*]run setup from hd

this is much faster than installing from the CD, plus when you add new hardware, you dont have to insert the CD everytime, or direct it towards the cab files, it just automatically pulls the drivers.

any other tips or help, let me know.

 

[WoundedWallet]

Disable Media Player7, install Media Player6 instead.(W2k)
Make sure your modem is not connected to your phone line during setup.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Actually, installing Windows has been done and documented too many times. I'm trying to customize the install with the answer file, which will allow me to do some things (like those I mentioned above) right from the door.

BTW, Media Player 7 only ships with WinME. But, as a few astute readers know, 6.4 is still included.

-SUO

 

[Looney]

Disable Media Player7, install Media Player6 instead

Why's that?

 

[WoundedWallet]

I thought that new W2k would be shipping with SP1 already installed, but maybe not. What do I know?

The reason to dump WM7 is simple. Bloatware/Sloware with no improvement over WM6.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Even still, Win2K+SP1 wouldn't ship with Media Player 7. Please don't liken Win2K upgrades to those for Win9x. NT-based stuff is an entirely different beast.

-SUO

 

[nasty]

Small tip:

Copy your install files to a central point. Unpack sp1 to that directory and select overwrite existing files. Make this central point the location where you run your installation from.

Now you don't have the install the sp seperatly!