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Automated Installs of Windows98
with INF Files

Creating INF Files Using BATCH
Setup Switches
Additional Installation Configuration
Copying Additional Files
Sample MSBATCH.INF file

One of the new capabilities of Windows9x is its ability to install many of it's options and configurations automatically.

This is accomplished through the use of INF files. These can be created beforehand and used during an installation.

If you are installing many computers with basically the same configuration, it is much easier to use these pre-defined INF files.

All the Windows95 applications, network settings, printers etc. can be defined ahead of time and installed with little user intervention.

If you are doing a large amount on installations over a network, I recommend you use the NETSETUP utility that is the \ADMIN\NETTOOLS\NETSETUP directory on the CD.

This expands all the files to approximately 130 megs on to a network server. You can then keep these files up to date as well as have the most flexibility when modifying INF files.

There are three basic programs you can use to create INF files.

1.

The main program available to create INF files is BATCH.EXE . Version 1 can be found on the CD in the \ADMIN\NETTOOLS\NETSETUP (for the original Win95) or in the  \ADMIN\NETTOOLS\BSETUP directory for OEM SR2.
Version 2.0 is available from Microsoft's Web Site.

With it you can configure things such as printers, network protocols, Windows95 applications, time zone etc.

2.

The second program you can use to create INF files is INFINST , also in the \ADMIN\NETTOOLS\NETSETUP directory.

This will allow you to use existing INF files, such as OEMSETUP.INF, and add their information to your MSBATCH.INF.

For example, this will allow you to add additional programs or protocols to your installation automatically.

3.

The third program is INF Gen , available from Microsoft.

This allows you to further customize things such as removing the INBOX, MSN icon, adding remote Registry, installing Chat etc.

The basic syntax for using a particular INF file is:
SETUP INF_FILENAME

If you use the default of MSBATCH.INF , you do not need to enter any name after SETUP.

The following instructions will show how to create and use basic INF files.
I won't be going through all the options, but enough to get you well on your way.

 Creating INF files using BATCH.EXE
1. The main program available to create INF files is BATCH.EXE
The following screen shots are from Version 2.
Install1
2. Here you can enter the Computer, Workgroup, Description etc.
3. Clicking on Network options brings up the following screen.
From here you can enter the protocols, TCP/IP settings, file and print sharing, network clients etc.
Install2
4. Click on Installation Options brings up the following screen.
From here you can select basic install options, time zone, automatically add printers, when to stop for a response, screen resolution and color depth etc.
Install3
5. Clicking on Optional Components brings up the following screen.
From here you can set what Windows apps you want to load such as Defrag, Dial-Up networking, etc.
Install4
6. When you are finished with all the settings, select File / Save
7. To use your new INF file for an installation, type SETUP INF_FILE

A great program for creating INF files can also be downloaded from:
INF-Tool (294 K)

SETUP Switches
There are several switches available to use along with SETUP.
Some are undocumented.
filename Runs the particular INF file
/ID Ignores the DIsk Space check
/IS Ignores the routine System check
/IQ Skips the test for cross-linked files
/IM Skips the memory check
/IN Runs setup without the Network Setup Module
/IW Bypasses needing to read the License screen.
Needs to be upper case when run within Windows
Undocumented.
/IR By passes the checkin into the system CMOS. Useful for some combinations of motherboard and Award BIOS ver 4.50 P
Undocumented
/D If you do not want Setup to use your existing Windows configuration (such as your current Win.ini and System.ini files), use this switch.
Undocumented
/N Allows setup to run without a mouse
Undocumented
/IE Does not create the Emergency Boot Disk (Windows98 Only)
/IH Skips the Registry Check (Windows98 Only)
/IV Does not display the billboards during setup (Windows98 Only)
/NTLDR Eliminates check for a previous Operating System
/P Detection Switch Option String - Using a /P allows you to use an additional switch for viewing and setting some detection parameters. You can separate them with a semicolon (;). For example /P g=3;i;p .
  • g=0 to 3 - This switch controls how verbose the built-in progress bar is. At maximum level (3), it shows all the resources of the detected devices along with the progress bar. This switch can help to identify which detection module causes a certain problem. The default is 0.
  • b - This switch enables Prompt Before mode. It prompts you before a detection module is called so that you can step through each detection module manually and decide if you want to skip it. The default is disabled.
  • i - This switch tells Setup not to report the existence of a Plug and Play BIOS. It is useful on systems that have a Plug and Play BIOS that is not reported in Machine.inf.
  • p - This switch enables performance logging. It writes performance timing information to the DETLOG.TXT file.The default is disabled.
  • f - This switch enables Clean Registry mode. It forces Detection to clean the root branch of the registry before starting. This switch is ignored when Setup is run in the Windows 95 graphical user interface (GUI). The default is disabled.

   Additional Installation Configuration Options

You can add these lines to your setup MSBATCH.INF file
No Network Neighborhood This allows you to not show the Network Neighborhood without using System Policies

[Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
HKCU,Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Explorer,"NoNetHood",3,00000001
Remove Find from Start Menu This allows you to Remove the Find command without using System Policies

[Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
HKCU,Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Explorer,"NoFind",3,00000001
Hide Drives in My Computer This allows you to hide the drive when you double click on My Computer without using System Policies

[Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
HKCU,Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Explorer,"NoDrives",3,3ffffff
No Items on the Desktop This allows you hide all the icons on the desktop without using System Policies

[Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
HKCU,Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Explorer,"NoDesktop",3,00000001
Enabling User Profiles [Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
HKLM,Network\Logon,"UserProfiles",2,1
Enabling System Policies - Manual Update from Server [Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
te,"NetworkPath",,"\\server_name\share_name\policy_name.pol"
HKLM,System\CurrentControlSet\control\Update,"UpdateMode",1,2,0,0,0
Setting Minimum Password Length [Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
HKLM\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network,"MinPwdLen",1,6,0,0,0
The above example sets it to 6 characters
Disable Print Sharing [Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network,"NoPrintSharing",2,1
Disable File Sharing [Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network,"NoFileSharing",2,1
Disable Dial-In Server - For secure environments [Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network,"NoDialIn",1,1,0,0,0
No MSN Inbox [Install]
UpdateINIs= msn.remove

[msn.remove]
setup.ini,desktop,,%Setup_MSN_DESC%,MSNEXCH.EXE %Setup_MSN_DESC%

[strings]
Setup_MSN_DESC="Set Up The Microsoft Network"
No Exchange IN box [Install]
DelReg=NoInbox_Icon

[NoInbox_Icon]
on\explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\"{00020D76-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
No Welcome Screen [Install]
Addreg=remove.welcome

[remove.welcome]
HKU,.default\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\tips,show,1,00
Configure for Multi-Boot [Install]
UpdateINIs=Multi.Boot

[Multi.Boot]
msdos.sys,Options,,"BootMulti=1"
Running a program once, automatically, after Windows95 is Installed [Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
HKLM,SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce,"Program To Run Once",," Your Program "

You can have multiples of these so you can automatically install other software at then end of your Windows95 installation.
Occassionaly with many Run Once commands, some can be executing at the same time.
To get around this problem, have the Run Once point to a batch file. This batch file can have all the applications you want to install
but run with a start command. The syntax would be something like:

start /w program1.exe
start /w program2.exe
....

The /w causes the programs to wait before the next one is started. Also, keep the ones that need a reboot towards the end.
Running a program automatically after Windows95 is Installed.
This is a great way to hide it from the user.		 [Install]
Addreg=system.config

[system.config]
HKLM,SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run,"Program to Run Every Time",," Your Program "
Automatically modifying your AUTOEXEC.BAT file [Install]
UpdateAutoBat=autobat

[autobat]
CmdAdd=command-name[,command-parameters]
CmdDelete=command-name

For example:
CmdAdd=set, "Variable=Value"
CmdAdd=doskey, /insert
CmdDelete= old_program
Automatically modifying your CONFIG.SYS file [Install]
UpdateCfgSys=configsys

[configsys]
DevAddDev=driver-name,configkeyword[,flag][,param-string]
DevDelete=driver-name

For example:
DevAddDev=emm386.exe,device,,NOEMS
DevDelete=qem386.exe
Disabling the Right-Click on the Start Button Normally, when you right button click on the Start button, it allows you to open your programs folder, the Explorer and run Find.
In situations where you don't want to allow users to be able to do this in order to secure your computer.

[Install]
DelReg=disablestartbutton

[disablestartbutton]
HKCR,Directory/Shell/Find
HKCR,Folder/Shell/Explore
HKCR,Folder/Shell/Open

Note: - Disabling these also turns off the ability to get to them with the Microsoft keyboard shortcut keys of Window-E (for Explorer) or Window-F (for Find)
To see how to make the registry changes on existing computers, see the Registry Tips section.
Disabling Opening My Computer In areas where you are trying to restrict what users can do on the comptuer, it might be beneficial to disable the abiltiy to click on My Computer and have access to the drives, control panel etc.

[Install]
DelReg=disablemycomputer

[disablemycomputer]
HKCR,CLSID\"{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"

To see how to make the registry changes on existing computers, see the Registry section.
Having the Recycle Bin set to delete files automatically
Use this in conjunction with having Documents on the Start Menu set to be in the Recycle Bin		 [Install]
Addreg=autodel

[autodel]
TWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\BitBucket,"PurgeInfo",
0,00,01,00,00,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,
00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,0a,00,00,00,00,08,64,7c,01,00
Changing Client for Microsoft Networking to "Logon and Restore Network Connections" [install]
Addreg=No.Quick.Logon

[No.Quick.Logon]
urrentControlSet\Services\MSNP32\NetworkProvider,LogonDisconnected,1,00,00,00,00

Submitted by J P Morgan
NOTE: When calling multiple sections, you need to have them all on the same line, separated by commas.
For example: Addreg=system.control, remove.welcome in the above examples.

    

Copying Additional Files during the Installation

While installing Windows95, you have the ability to copy in additional files.
These can be copied to any directory you choose.
A sample will be given at the end of this section.
There are five basic steps you need to go through when editing the MSBATCH.INF.

1. Letting the installation know you want to copy additional files.
2. Specifying what files to copy.
3. Specifying the destination for the files.
4. Specifying the source disk number for the files.
5. Specifying the source location for the files.
1. In the [Install] section, add Copyfiles=file-list-section
The file-list-section should reference the one in #2.

The format is:
[Install]
Copyfiles=file-list-section
2. Create a [file-list-section] using the same name you did in step #1. This is simply a list of all the files you want to copy, one file per line.

The format is:
[file-list-section]
file1
file2
file3...
3. The next step is to define where you want the files to be copied. You need to create or add to the [DestinationDirs] section.

The format is:
[DestinationDirs]
file-selection-list, ldid[,subdir]

where ldid is the Local Disk Identifier
The ldid is a number which references a particular directory on your hard drive.

Common ones would be:
10 - Windows Directory
11 - System Directory
13 - Command Directory
30 - Root of Boot Drive
A full listing is given on page 1167 in the Windows95 Resource Kit.

A feature is the ability to copy to any directory of your choice, as long as it is created before you start the installation.
For the destination directory's location, select 30,new_directory . This will copy the files to a directory below the root of the boot drive.
4. The next step is to specify a Source Disk Name. This is simply in preparation for the next step.

The format is:
[SourceDisksNames]
disk-number= description,label,serial-number

The disk-number must match the one in #5
5. The last step is to identify each of the source disk files and location. These can be from a current windows directory or a new one you created.

The format is:
[SourceDisksFiles]
filename=source-disk-names,subdirectory,filesize

For example, if you have a new directory under your current source called MYFILES , you would use: [SourceDisksFiles]
filename=22,myfiles,size
The following example would copy the files listed under [MyFiles] to the Windows directory and the files listed under [NewFiles] to a C:\TEST directory.

The files for MyFiles would be in a MyFiles directory below the main Windows95 source files. The files for NewFiles would be in a directory NewFiles directory below the main Windows95 source files.
The file sizes of 1024, 2048 and 3096 are just for examples. [Install]
Copyfiles=MyFiles,NewFiles

[MyFiles]
MyFile_1
MyFile_2
MyFile_3

[NewFiles]
NewFile_1
NewFile_2

[DestinationDirs]
MyFiles=10
NewFiles=30,test

[SourceDisksNames]
33,"MyFilesSource",MyFiles,0
44,"MyNewFilesSource",NewFile,0

[SourceDisksFiles]
MyFile_1=33,,1024
MyFile_2=33,,2048
MyFile_3=33,,3096
NewFile_1=44,,1024
NewFile_2=44,,2048

 

The following is a sample INF file which:

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