prathapml

15. If you want the HKCU registry tweaks (above) to apply to all users, apply them through cmdlines or svcpack method (at the 12 or "13-minutes left" stage of setup). 16. The Windows XP ZIP is cr*p - its the first thing I switch off when I install a new PC. To switch it off open the Run box and type REGSVR32 /U ZIPFLDR.DLL ----OR---- automate the same through batch-files. 17. I'd recommend using the "cdimagegui" tool to create optimised ISO9660 images of your uA CDs (just do a search on google to download).

12. Totally pre-configure Internet Explorer options for XP unattended with your desired settings - click here 13. Opera 8 Use the "Help > Register" menu-item in Opera, and give your license info (username and key). You'll see that in "%programfiles%\Opera8" folder on your HD, the file "OUsr600.dat" is modified. That is your license file. Copy it to your uA CD, and set up your batch-file commands in such a way that the license file gets copied back to that same folder *JUST AFTER* Opera is installed. I also pre-configure Opera during unattended setup by auto-executing Opera-conf.exe (in the zip file - attachment). 14. Set the default sticky app on XP Start_Menu for "Internet" to Opera (previously it was IE). ;Set the Start Menu sticky apps [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet] @="Opera.exe" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Opera.exe] @="C:\\Program Files\\Opera8\\Opera.exe" "Path"="C:\\Program Files\\Opera8" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\Opera.exe] @="Opera" "LocalizedString"="Opera" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\Opera.exe\DefaultIcon] @="C:\\Program Files\\Opera8\\opera.exe,0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\Opera.exe\shell\open\command] @="C:\\Program Files\\Opera8\\opera.exe"You can also pre-configure the sticky-app on Start Menu for E-mail. The limitation to the registry method of pre-configuring sticky apps is that it uses absolute paths (whereas using system variables is the recommended way). This limitation does not exist if you use an INF to do it - instructions with example. opera_conf.zip

11. Very useful in environments where some security is needed, or if your kids are of the curious/dangerous type. ;hide C: drive in "My Computer" or Explorer or Open/Save dialogs [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] "NoDrives"=dword:00000004Note though, that with only the above being used, you can still type "C:\" into explorer address-bar, or right-click-and-explore the Start Menu and get access. This is good actually, since in this way most casual people are dissuaded from accessing the C: drive and you can yourself access the C: drive whenever you want by typing "C:\" into "Start >> Run". But if you want no exemptions, and need to completely restrict access (with emphasis on the word ABSOLUTE), read more info below:

8. Get rid of the XP "Command Prompt Here" powertoy. Instead, this tweak does the same (and what's more, works on win2k also). ;Get a command box Right-click menu option [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\CMD] @="Command P&rompt Here" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\CMD\command] @="cmd.exe /k cd %1 " [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\CMD] @="Command P&rompt Here" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\CMD\command] @="cmd.exe /k cd %1 " 9. "Open With..." becomes default for unknown file-types ;disable file association web-service - Bypassing "Browse web for program" to open unknown extension. [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System] "NoInternetOpenWith"=dword:00000001 10. I like to automate updates for win2k ;Enable Auto-updating on every Tuesday at 1:00 PM [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update] "AUOptions"=dword:00000004 "AUState"=dword:00000002 "ScheduledInstallDay"=dword:00000003 "ScheduledInstallTime"=dword:0000000d

7. Right click on CD drive to close drive tray (just like the "Eject" option but the opposite function offered in a graphical way) First get "cdr.exe" from the link in MSFN's official uA CD guide, or from attachment here. Then put it into "$OEM$\$$\System32" folder on your CD. Then put this registry tweak as part of your tweaks. ;Right-click any drive to close the tray of the optical drive [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\draw] @="Close CD-&tray" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\draw\command] @="cdr.exe close ALL" There are two shortcomings with the above: a. It closes all optical-drives one after another b. The option to "close tray" appears even if you right-click on your HD's partitions. But then, something's better than nothing. Also, I used to use Nero DriveSpeed to close CD-ROM's until now, but it has 2 disadvantages: a. It doesn't work for older drives. b. It's a third-party utility which comes bundled when you install a commercial app. CDR.zip

5. ;this is the important one - Turn off fast user switching [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon] "AllowMultipleTSSessions"=dword:00000000 6. ;Easily open any file - allows you to use Notepad by simply right clicking on the icon [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\open] @="Open &With Notepad" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\open\command] @="notepad.exe %1"

1. TweakNow PowerPack 2005 When you register, you get a license file created (PowerPack_Info.dat). Just put it in the "$OEM$\$$" folder on the CD. Then install the powerpack using the normal silent switches. 2. WinRAR 3.42 When you register, you'll receive a license file (named "rarreg.key"). Copy it to your uA CD, and set up your XPlode in such a way that the license file gets copied to the right place *JUST AFTER* winrar is installed. 3. Register/unlock UltraISO v7.5 so that it becomes full-mode (with no restrictions) Do the normal registration, then export the below key (it will also have your settings). This will not require cracking it. [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\EasyBoot Systems\UltraISO\5.0] 4. Prevent WinAmp 5 from popping-up the first-run dialog-box Save this text: [WinampReg] IsFirstInst=0 NeedReg=0as winamp.ini, and copy it to your %windir% after wa5 install (replace the existing winamp.ini).

Unattended CD tips: I may not be around on MSFN much for the next few days - so no questions can be answered by me. These tips may not be for beginners. Please do not ask newbie questions - in most cases, the tips here are easy to implement. It is recommended that you first familiarise yourself with the official unattended winXP CD guide on MSFN, and implement it before starting out with the below things. Let me declare that I use all these things through the XPlode tool, and in most cases, the same technique can be done through batch files or RunOnceEx method. These are meant for WinXP SP1 and above (may also work for Win2k SP3 or higher).

It still is. But don't you people think there's too much discussion about this? I mean, it shouldn't matter whether gosh is a girl or a guy. Though, if gosh clears the issue, it'd be better & nice.

@visaversa - its perfectly reversable (though manually). Go into the properties of the NIC you want to disable ICF for, then see the "advanced" tab there. Remove the check-mark from "Protect my computer and network from.......blah.........blah..........blah........."

I use this to auto-click a button, its part of windows itself, plus, it looks for a window of the exact name specified, so its safe too. Note that NAV will not allow scripts to run uninterrupted, so run this before NAV installs. nonStop.js: function getWin(win, inc) { while (!WshShell.AppActivate(win)) { WScript.Sleep(inc); } return true; } var WshShell = new ActiveXObject("WScript.Shell"); getWin("exact title of desired window", 5000); WshShell.SendKeys ("y"); WScript.Sleep(100); WScript.quit();In the sendkeys function, change the y (for clicking "yes" to o, if its "OK" that you need to click). I run it like this: ECHO Preparing for install start %systemroot%\system32\wscript.exe //nologo //B //T:600 %systemdrive%\install\Applications\vmware4\nonStop.js EXIT run that command from a supplementary cmd window, if you're using runonceex registry keys or XPinstall, other wise, windows waits for wscript.exe to finish, and wscript.exe won't exit unless it has found a window with *that* name, and has performed the scripted operation - so it may get stuck into a loop if it is not run from a secondary location.

@danard: I doubt that you can do it unattended. You may need to do that manually.

That happens to me too! All the desired options are checkmarked or disabled as required, but they aren't *applied*. Does anyone have a solution? You want to put My computer icon on Desktop? And place it on the upper side of the desktop, parallel to the Task panel? You can put this section into winnt.sif, but then, visual styles are removed (you can't have everything): [Shell] DefaultStartPanelOff=Yes DefaultThemesOff=No

The default start menu look in XP now is the new style. So to get the win2k style start menu on XP, you'd have to disable the default start menu (I suppose that's clear). So, you simply have to put DefaultStartPanelOff=Yes. Now it will behave the way you want it to. There's "DefaultThemesOff=Yes" too, that setting will fetch you back the classic style windows desktop (the one without all the effects and eye-candy). :EDIT: no, just now saw that you actually want to have your XP-style start menu back. Maybe you have some registry tweak that locks your start menu to classic? Open the .reg files that you apply during install, and see if you know exactly what every line does. Don't use registry code which isn't properly documented, and delete those parts from the reg tweaks which you don't understand.

I've been using XP with SP2 integrated since 2 months, and whether its home edition or pro, the WMP9 first-time run invariably comes up, despite me applying my WMP9 regtweaks. In SP1, applying those tweaks used to be enough. I don't want to apply those .reg at first-logon, because it would then apply only to that user. I normally apply the wmp9.reg (attached below) at T -13 (through cmdlines), and SP1 never protested, it worked as it should. I suppose there's a new key in the registry that sets the first-time run flag on or off. Or maybe some WMP9 registry hives are applied after registering components (i.e., after cmdlines.txt stage). The interesting thing is that everything's being applied (all my preferences) perfectly, with no losses/rejections (I really ran regedit at T-13 and checked) and after a reboot, all my settings are retained, except that the first-time run dialog box still runs its **** self. How have you people done it? (Or has anybody been able to do it at all ?) I saw an entry in gpedit.msc that disables first-run, but there's no way I can export/import gpedit settings unattended. This Q may not exactly fit into this side of the forum, but there's no separate section for unattended SP2. wmp9.reg

Max Payne 2 and Age of Mythology : The Titans Expansion. That's what I'm playing since 2 weeks (I don't get much leisure time to play).

No long stories here (don't want to bore you), but I need to vote for both.

yeah.... murder me everybody !!! personally, I like Windows XP (it has a million reasons about why it's best among the *released* OSs). But since you all have an unnecessary bias towards Windows ME, I voted for it just to level out the playing field and to infuriate all of ya here. As for why, 3 years from now, if you want to use a supported win9x OS (I don't know why you'd want to, unless you have old,infirm hardware), ME is your only option. And, I've got to say....... public memory is very short. Any of you in the IT loop would remember all the storm and revulsion that 98 and XP caused even until 2 years after their release. And those same OSes are being embraced by the same people now. ............... LOL .......... What do you say about win95 today ? Let me see what you have to say about win98 2 years from now.

Roxio Easy CD Creator 5: Since it is an MS installer (.msi) based install, i'd be surprised if it doesn't support the "/QB" switch. Anyway, the setup.ini of ECDC5 informs that "/S" is the silent mode to install it. If it asks to reboot (Yes/No) after install, append "Reboot=suppress" to the install command line. For example: "<easy cd creator 5 setup folder>\ECDC5.msi /S Reboot=Suppress" must work. Please do check and tell us if it worked, or if it did not, did you get any other switch ?

Look for publisher XP info here : http://unattended.MSFN.org/xp/officexp.htm As for WinMX, just try the switches you know, one of those may turn out to be the right one. Identify which Installer it uses and look-up the guide at http://unattended.MSFN.org/xp/applications.htm for info on how to use that installer app in unattended mode. or type the installer's name: "winmx-setup-version.exe /?" the /? switch asks the setup program as to which switches it supports. If nothing else works, you know what to do - do what you used to do before you automated windows and apps setup.

It has come out - its called CS not 8. Now, whether it has turned out to be a godlike app is open to debate. I've bought ACDsee 6.0.2 PowerPack, and I find it sufficient for all my imaging needs (unlike what you might expect, it does lots more than just image editing/resizing/conversion etc.)

thanks for the ZA pro info, pfear, i was looking for it. well, I know that this thread now resembles a dead one and is unwieldy large, but anyway, here goes some info I had discovered - Most apps that use InstallShield or MSI for an installer support the "blah-blah.exe /A" syntax, i.e., the /A switch is something that you'd execute on the exe or the msi file yourself, and create a "network server image" for the install. In simpler terms, "setup.exe /A" allows you to create an administrative install point. Just compress and SFX the resultant folder with winrar or 7zip to see major size drops. Then, during install, run the exe to silently extract itself to a known location, and run "XYZ-app.msi /QB" to install silently. In most cases apps can be converted from "XYZ.exe /S /v/qb" to "XYZ\setup.msi /QB". An example below: ECHO Installing Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0.1 start /wait %systemdrive%\install\Applications\AR6.exe start /wait %systemdrive%\install\Applications\AdobeReader6\AcroRead-6.0.1.msi /QB I've found that this method of installing from an administrative install point works for Acrobat Reader 6, VMware 4.0.5, Partition Magic 8, Sun Java VM, and many other apps. The biggest benefit is the space you save. The above three apps went from 45 to 33 MB for me. If you want to eliminate some junk, you can do so by deleting the win9x, NT4 and win2k related files from the administrative install point folder. Advantages : You can cut down an installer's size by half, and also the time taken for that app to initialise setup and install is slashed. Diskeeper 8 Pro can be installed the above way, but it for some reason it doesn't seem to like it - you keep getting error messages after install that "dkservice.exe has encountered an error and needs to be shutdown". Also, some apps can be installed, and then copied over directly, they don't need an installer to import stuff into your "Windows\System32" and "Program Files" folders. Some of these are - 1. Abiword 2.0.2 2. IrfanView 3.85 + plugins 3. mIRC 6.12 4. Mozilla FireBird browser 0.7 5. Mozilla ThunderBird e-mail client 0.4 6. MyIE2 web browser 0.9.13 7. Reget Download Manager 3.3 8. WinImage 6.10 Hoping this helps a lot of people slim their CD and\or add new programs to it.

>> Are you constantly being told to get off your PC? you bet !

winrar, because of its ability to create SFX files that can extract to defined paths (%programfiles%, %appdata%, etc.) winzip is out of contention for me, but it's amazing the way winrar's gained reputation - when I started using winrar 2.50 in 2000, it had no attraction for me except that it could repair zips and rars, and winzip was pretty good at ver7.0.

Thanks bachus and gosh for your responses. I guess i can't modify these things too much. Would this work ? This is a pretty accurate illustration of my CD's folder structure: Folder PATH listing for CD's root folder H:. | AUTORUN.INF | README.HTM | SETUP.EXE | spnotes.htm | WIN51 | WIN51IP | win51ip.SP1 | +---DOCS | +---PRO1 | |--I386 | +---Extras | +---ezboot | \---$OEM$ \--cmdlines.txt Or do $OEM$,DOCS,SETUP.EXE, spnotes.htm, WIN51, WIN51IP, win51ip.SP1 need to be in the PRO1 folder too ? If the dir structure was modified to: CD root | +--PRO3 +--PRO2 +--PRO1 |-- cd ident files |-- I386 |-- $OEM$ what would "OemFilesPath=" in winnt.sif say ? =\PRO1\$OEM$ ? or is it =PRO1\$OEM$ Cheers !!!