System file replacing

[Tihiy]

I'm writing system file patcher for my customization program.

The problem is that Windows [2000 SP4] does not allow to replace system files, e.g. browseui.dll, comdlg32.dll

I use MoveFileEx with MOVEFILE_DELAY_UNTIL_REBOOT flag.

It creates proper PendingFileRename key, however, if program is started not in Safe Mode, then file replacing does not happen on next boot.

Windows 2000 SP4, sfc disabled via nLite [no dllcache folder at all]

So - what to do? How to circumvent this issue?

[LeveL]

You can always use a live "PE" disc, I don't know if you can make

one out of Windows 2000 but if you have an XP CD then you can

make a PE disc, which is a live Windows environment you can boot

from off a CD, then you can deal with your system whilst it is not

even booted up, you can just copy the files into system32 that way,

it cannot possibly stop you doing this because the Windows 2000 OS

is not even running!

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

[Tihiy]

Of course i can use another OS but i want my program to replace files automatically without this

I wander how other system file patchers [for example Vista Icon/Transformation Pack] do this.

[LeveL]

Sorry.

Certain DLL files are gonna be hooked into svchost.exe so yeah,

I am wondering the same thing about those "Vista Transformation"

packs.

Look at the software that sometimes says "windows must reboot to

continue uninstalling and delete files that are in use". For example,

Windowblinds does that.

Have you tried the "inuse.exe" command line app?

From M$'s own page:

File-In-Use Replace Utility (inuse.exe): InUse is a command-line tool that

performs on-the-fly replacement of files that the operating system currently

uses. To download this tool, click the following link:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/win...EN-US/inuse.exe

Although since you're using Windows 2000, that small program is in the "Resource Kit Tools"

How to use it:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/228930

Edited March 31, 2007 by LeveL

[Tihiy]

Well, it's no use as well as my algorithm - it does not work for system files.

So, the question is - how to disable SFC temporarily or register those new files in system..?

[gunsmokingman]

This is a good tool to replace system files.

Replacer