Overview: Customizing Setup

Windows Update Setup can be customized to fit the needs of your organization. You can include custom programs or installation scripts when you install Internet Explorer, or you can suppress prompts to users so that Windows Update Setup can integrate smoothly with your custom setup program. You can also determine how much control users have over the setup process.

Reasons to Customize Windows Update Setup

The goals you want to achieve during deployment affect how you customize Windows Update Setup. Through customization, you can benefit from these features:

• Hands-free installation - Perhaps you want to specify setup options for your users and install after hours. You can preset the options and suppress prompts that users receive during the setup process to make the installation hands-free.
• Setup branding - By customizing the title bar and graphics in the Internet Explorer Customization wizard, you can brand Windows Update Setup so that its appearance is unique to your organization.
• Greater control over installation - You might want to enable users to make some setup choices but control certain other choices. For example, you could require users to install some components, but allow them to choose additional components based on their needs.
• Addition of custom components - Perhaps you want users to receive custom components when they install Internet Explorer. For example, you might be an ISP with custom programs or installation scripts that you want to install when users sign up for your services. You can include up to 10 of these custom components with the Customization wizard.
• Adaptation to user needs - Various groups in an organization might have different setup needs. For example, one department might need only basic programs, while another department that authors international content for the Web might require more utilities and language tools.
• Redistribution of Internet Explorer - Perhaps you want to install Internet Explorer without the icons or browser interface. For example, you might plan to host Internet Explorer with a custom program.
• Setup changes without rebuilding the IEAK package - Perhaps you need to revise Internet Explorer settings in a particular way, and you don't want to rebuild your IEAK package. You can use a batch file to change settings you specified in the Customization wizard.

Ways to Customize Windows Update Setup

To customize Windows Update Setup, you can use the Microsoft Internet Explorer Customization wizard, which comes with the IEAK.

You can use the Customization wizard to change the appearance and control the user experience of Windows Update Setup. You can customize the graphics and title bar. In addition, you can add up to 10 custom components and create 10 different setup options.

You can create a batch file, and place it in the same installation location as the setup executable file (IE5Setup.exe), such as in the same download server directory or the same folder on the installation CD-ROM.

You can also use command-line switches. To avoid entering command-line switches at each user's computer, you would typically use the switches in connection with a program that bundles the Internet Explorer setup files and command-line switches, such as the IExpress wizard or your own custom program.

In addition, you can also use a combination of these methods. For example, you could use the IEAK to create custom setup settings, but also use a batch file or command-line switches later if you find that your needs change.

Note If you are using Windows 2000, you can customize Internet Explorer settings in unattended Setup to automate the setup process, or the Software Installation snap-in for Group Policy to centrally manage software distribution. For more information about automating Windows 2000 Setup, see Appendix A, "Windows 2000 Configuration Solutions for Internet Explorer," and the "Automating Client Installation and Upgrade" chapter in the Deployment Planning Guide of the Windows 2000 Resource Kit. For more information about managing software distribution, see the Software Installation section in the "Group Policy" chapter in the Distributed Systems Guide of the Windows 2000 Resource Kit.

Files Needed to Customize Windows Update Setup

To customize Windows Update Setup with the IEAK, you specify custom program and graphics files using the Internet Explorer Customization wizard. If you are a corporate administrator, you can configure user settings after deployment by using the IEAK Profile Manager. Both the Customization wizard and the IEAK Profile Manager are installed when you set up the IEAK.

Before running the Customization wizard, you should make sure any custom program files that you want to include are ready. If you plan to customize the appearance of Windows Update Setup, you should prepare the graphics files before using the IEAK.

If you plan to distribute files over the Internet, you'll want to ensure that your custom files are digitally signed. Digital signatures show where programs come from and verify that they haven't been altered. If you already have a digital publisher's certificate, the Customization wizard can use it to sign your custom files automatically. For more information about preparing custom files, see Chapter 12, "Preparing for the IEAK." For more information about certificates, see Chapter 6, "Digital Certificates," and Chapter 12, "Preparing for the IEAK."