Unattended installation

In a silent installation ( unattended installation English ) is run through the complete setup of a program or installation routine without while its inputs from the user are necessary. The term itself is outside of Microsoft Windows only of marginal importance, since installation routines that require constant user input, in other operating systems are uncommon. Moreover, automated installation mechanisms on HP- UX, Solaris, Linux, or AIX have a long tradition. Applications of this type of program installation since Windows 2000 and Windows XP in conjunction with slipstreaming ( integrating Microsoft service packs into the installation media ), as well as the possibility for Windows NT times, the installation of the operating system itself through a " setup installation file " (SIF ) to automate.

Information during the installation, for example, the desired installation path, the input of any necessary license key or the acknowledgment of acknowledgments omitted during a silent installation, as these settings are defined previously, for example in a script ( an answer file so-called ) or with a specific command line parameter. The installation time is reduced in most cases significantly because is not just waiting for inputs and thus multiple installations can be performed in succession away. If the same software to be installed on multiple computers, time can be saved by automating these installations, as these previously once configured, can be used as often as in contrast to the memory dump performed on different systems without taking up more work.

In addition, it is also used the silent installation in the distribution of new computer. In contrast to a full unattended installation, however, a special mode is used here. Thus, OEMs can indeed install all computers with the same software and settings, the buyer but it will allow for the first commissioning of the computer to enter data, such as its name, the time and the serial number in the last part of the setup and thus customize the installation.

2.1 The setting of parameter
2.2 Through Windows Installer switches and MST specifications
2.3 By Snapshots
2.4 Through Scripts

Installation of a complete operating system

Per script

Besides the possibility to automatically install individual programs, the entire operating system can be preconfigured. In this case, all settings of the system (user accounts, desktop wallpaper, network settings, etc. ) can be stored in a script before. Through a batch script to be installed, for example, directly from the installation of the operating system other software applications or drivers that are not included by default comes with the Windows CD.

After the entire process has been configured, the system can be very easy to maintain, respectively update.

Especially in larger companies where the computer hardware might not be the same as a rule, this method is suitable. It does not have any PC are cared for individually, because every computer operates independently from the pre-made script.

Per dump

Windows also makes it possible by editing the file ' SYSPREP.EXE ' (on the Windows CD) to prepare a fully installed PC so you can transfer it to a memory dump software on another computer. Especially in setting up new departments or as preparation for training, in which several of the same computer must be reinstalled, this method is suitable.

Benefits

It is advantageous especially the centralization. If the data of the silent installation updated about new hotfixes integrated, so get a new installation, all computer already the latest updates so will be closed until then known vulnerabilities.

Additional security is achieved that all security-related aspects can be decided before installing the computer and then converted into a script. So can run automatically as an administrator, for example, the necessary installations, while the user but then, only the limited user available for the operation.

Therefore, this method is suitable not only for companies, but is also recommended for the home PC, as it could be infected by viruses without latest updates to the computer at the first contact with the Internet, see W32.Blaster.

Installation of individual programs

Silent installation of the programs there are various possibilities. Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages abzuwägende in individual cases.

By setting parameters

Many, but not all programs can be pre-configured by special command line parameters.

General syntax:

Installationsdatei.exe Often the available parameters by calling filename.exe /, filename.exe? -? (or instead? , help enter ) are displayed. Alternatively, the information may be required in the documentation for the program directly, or can be derived from the knowledge of the Windows Installer used tap. Often can be, for example, the / silent switch, / s, / quiet or / q start an installation, in which the program is installed on the hard disk without any further configuration during setup. It is important to pay attention to upper and lower case letters of the respective parameter, not always intervenes lowercase parameters (eg: 7-Zip [ 7z465.exe / s] ) so that the parameter / S for silent must be written compellingly large, to be identified and executed by the application can.

However, the installation parameters can often hardly be configured. Besides the option to silently install and the installation path is rarely more configurations can be set by the switch. If additional options of the program are preset, so this can be realized by additional Windows registry entries, unless you know the proper entries. More information can be found in software distribution, as well as the guides listed below.

With Windows Installer switches and MST specifications

In the Windows Installer ( filename with MSI extension) to all parameters can pretend either by specifying via command line arguments (for example: "INSTALL LEVEL = 100 REBOOT = ReallySuppress " ), or by collection of these in a so-called transform file ( mst extension). The MST files are able to overwrite all of the tables in the MSI database to for example determine the exact selection of the components to be installed can. In Windows 2000 and MSI files for distribution of software within a domain are natively supported ( IntelliMirror feature ), but also the start of a batch file is possible:

Msiexec.exe / i <. msi file > / qb- REBOOT = INSTALLLEVEL = 300 ReallySuppress / L * v C: \ Installationslog.log In the above example, a log file is generated, which can then be used for detailed control over the success or failure of the installation.. msi files also support the slipstream, when the updates as so-called MSI patch files (. msp extension) will be issued. With this technology, the installation package is brought up to date itself, that is when you install the updated version not only installed the old version of the files and then patched to the latest, but written directly to the latest versions of the files and registry keys. The actions and possible dialogues themselves, which makes the installation package in addition, are updatable.

Through snapshots

Furthermore, a snapshot program to record all data and registry changes, so these must be copied only for unattended installation on the hard disk, a program created / changed during installation.

The snapshot method allows for complex products is some uncertainty whether the resulting package is installed under all circumstances as it would have done the original installer of the software manufacturer. Therefore, many software companies refuse support for software errors that initially occur in snapshot- packetized clients from and may require verification with a manual installation.

Prerequisite is definitely that no components were installed prior to installation on the machine on which the snapshot was taken that are then not at the clients and are used by the installation.

Through scripts

Save the script to be executed one after the other keyboard and mouse input (for example, Tab, Tab, Tab, "C: \ Program1 ", Enter). This allows the configuration of the installation plan carefully and storing.

Provides the software does not own possibility for automated installation, thus can be implemented to be incurred inputs, for example, by a WSH, VBS script or autoitscript or the offshoot Autohotkey.

In the " automated manual installation" Therefore, problems occur when unforeseen window pop up, have not been provided in the script. One difference is that snapshot installations can be carried out partially, without the need to interrupt work on the client. This approach is not useful for manually driven installations as keystrokes and mouse clicks the user would come into conflict with those of the script.

Realization

Firstly, it is possible to provide additional data on a separate, any storage medium, such as a file server or a floppy disk / CD. Secondly, the scripts as well as the additional programs / drivers can be directly integrated on a Windows installation CD.

As for creating an Unattended CD a certain training period is necessary, especially when doing new drivers are to be integrated, several programs have sprung up recently to assist in creating an unattended installation (see more programs ). This offer not only a simpler configuration usually still further additions around the Windows system (such as a minimization of the installation ).

However, If you create a script to complete itself, see Related links, it is recommended to check whether the configured in the script settings are set correctly. Voices about some parameters are not, then the smooth running no longer guaranteed, the installation would get stuck at a point, as they may wait for user input. One would therefore cancel the installation and can not eliminate, since now you can not work on the PC, the error in the script.

If no other computer is available, on which the installation can be tested, so it is advisable to emulate beforehand by means of a dump first the complete installation.

Programs that create an Unattended CD for Windows

NLite - Create custom Windows 2000, XP and Server 2003
VLite - Create custom Windows Vista, Server 2008 and Windows 7
Xplode Xplode homepage ( English)
Windows Post Install Wizard (WPI ) - Windows 7, XP and Vista
Listing of other programs (English)