Contents of Windows 3.0 SYSINI.TXT

Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q58340

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a

SUMMARY

The following information is contained in the Microsoft Windows version 3.0 SYSINI.TXT readme file. The Windows Setup program copies this file to the Windows 3.0 directory.

SYSINI.TXT ON-LINE DOCUMENT

Introduction

SYSTEM.INI is one of two Windows initialization files that are included with Windows. Windows initialization files contain information that defines your Windows environment. Windows and applications can use the information stored in these files to configure themselves to meet your needs and preferences.

There are two standard Windows initialization files:

* SYSTEM.INI, which primarily contains settings that allow you to

  customize Windows to meet your system's hardware needs

* WIN.INI, which primarily contains settings that allow you to alter

  your Windows environment according to your preferences

This document describes the contents of the SYSTEM.INI file and how you can alter them.

For information on the WIN.INI file, see the WININI.TXT file.

Format

Windows initialization files have the following format:

   [section name]
   keyname=value

In this example, [section name] is the name of a section. Sections are used to break settings into logical groups. The enclosing brackets ([]) are required.

The keyname=value statement defines the value of each setting. A keyname is the name of a setting. It can consist of any combination of letters and digits, and must be followed immediately by an equal sign (=). A value is the setting's value. It can be an integer, a string, or a quoted string, depending on the setting.

How to Read Listings in This Document

In this document, settings in SYSTEM.INI are listed alphabetically within the sections that contain them. These sections are listed in the following order:

   [boot]
   [keyboard]
   [NonWindowsApp]
   [standard]
   [386enh]

The settings will not appear alphabetically in the SYSTEM.INI file. If you want to change a setting, you will have to search for the setting in the appropriate section. Many of the settings explained in this file are rarely needed and will not appear in your SYSTEM.INI file unless you add them yourself.

The syntax, purpose, and recommended method for changing each setting appears in the following format:

SettingName=<value-type> Purpose: This paragraph briefly describes the function of the setting

         and its default value (if applicable).

Can change by: This sentence states the recommended method for

         changing the value of this setting.

The <value-type> indicates whether the value should be a number, a letter, a range of numbers, Boolean, or something else. For more information on Boolean values, see "Acceptable Boolean Values," later in this document.

Changing Settings

Windows created the SYSTEM.INI files when you installed Windows. Many of the settings contained in this file were set to default values defined by Windows.

It may be necessary to change one or more of these values in order to improve the performance of Windows or an application with your system.

Most of the values in SYSTEM.INI can be changed only by opening SYSTEM.INI and editing it using a text editor, such as Notepad. For more information on how to use Notepad, see Chapter 10, "Additional Accessories," in the User's Guide.

CAUTION: You should use extreme care when making changes to your SYSTEM.INI file using a text editor. You can disable your system if you incorrectly edit these files. The listings in this document indicate which settings can be changed without opening SYSTEM.INI. Use the recommended method whenever possible.

Acceptable Boolean Values

Several settings in the [386enh] section of SYSTEM.INI are Boolean. There are several ways you can enter the value to indicate whether the setting is to be enabled or disabled.

If you want the setting to be enabled, you can enter:

   * true
   * yes
   * on
   * 1

If you want the setting to be disabled, you can type:

   * false
   * no
   * off
   * 0

Except for 1 and 0 (zero), these values are not case sensitive.

What Is in SYSTEM.INI?

The SYSTEM.INI file contains global system information that Windows uses when it is started. Generally, you cannot change these settings through Control Panel. Any changes to the file do not affect Windows until you restart Windows.

The following sections can appear in SYSTEM.INI:

   Section           Purpose
   -------           -------

   [boot]            Lists drivers and Windows modules.

   [keyboard]        Contains information about the keyboard.

   [NonWindowsApp]   Contains information used by non-Windows
                     applications.

   [standard]        Contains information used by Windows in standard
                     mode.

   [386enh]          Contains information used by Windows in 386
                     enhanced mode.

KBCategory: kbother
KBSubcategory: win30
Additional reference words: 3.00 3.0 3.0a 3.00a win30

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.