Custom Installations of Windows 95: The Issues

In Windows 95, you cannot modify the default INF files to customize the setup process or the final Windows 95 installation. Instead, Windows 95 provides more flexible, easier to use methods that rely principally on MSBATCH.INF and system policies to control installation options or manage the final configuration.

To take advantage of user profiles, the client computers must be running a 32-bit, protected-mode network client, such as Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks or Client for Microsoft Networks. Additional issues for using user profiles and system policies are described in Chapter 15, "User Profiles and System Policies."

To take advantage of WRKGRP.INI for restricting workgroup choices, the file should be stored in the shared directory that contains the Windows 95 source files. For shared installations, WRKGRP.INI should be stored in the shared Windows directory on the server.

The following list summarizes the items that cannot be customized or the screens that cannot be skipped during Windows 95 Setup.

Setup Components That Cannot Be Skipped or Customized

Dialog box or message

Comment

MS-DOS Uninstall

This message appears if Setup detects MS-DOS Uninstall information on the computer. You cannot turn off this display or automate a response.

OS/2 Detected

This message appears if Setup detects that a version of OS/2 is installed on the system. You cannot turn off this display or automate a response.

Quit All Windows Programs

This message appears if Setup detects that other programs are running. You cannot turn off this display or automate a response. This message always appears if Setup is run using a Windows-based network management tool such as Microsoft Systems Management Server.

Not Enough Disk Space

This message appears if there is not enough hard disk space to support the specified installation type. You cannot turn off this display from a setup script. However, to avoid this message, start Windows 95 Setup using the setup /id switch.

Caution Setup will fail during installation if it runs out of disk space.

Checking Your Hard Disk

This information message always appears. You cannot turn off this display, but no response is required.

Preparing Directory

This information message always appears. You cannot turn off this display, but no response is required.

Analyzing Your Computer

This information message always appears. You cannot turn off this display, but no response is required.