What exactly is the difference and why do you guys prefer winnt.sif over unattend.txt?

which is more flexible?

TIA

I believe the biggest difference is that winnt.sif is needed to make an install from CD whereas the unattended.txt file is used for network installs like using RIS

That's correct. The files are identical, but if you install from CD, it MUST be named winnt.sif or the Windows install doesn't use it.

Oh ! They are just not identical . hmm ... They are the same thing ~

When u use "Winnt.exe /xxx /xxx /xxx" to install, u need a Text file that we usually call it "unattend.txt" , but u can use a parameter to make it a different name, like "abc.txt" or "MyUnatt.txt"

We call this Text file "Answer File" --> Winnt.exe /u:[Answer_File_FUll_Name] (for install in Win32 Env use winnt32.exe)

And if we want Use a CD-Install then we must use the name "Winnt.sif"

Why ?

Cause , the Name is hard coded ! unless u change the program code, u must use that file name for cd-install