Windows XP: sif files and unattended batch file install

Contributed by seamonkey420

December 13, 2006

Tagged: Windows installation

This recipe is similar to another one on here but this one differs in that it explains how to create a sif file in notepad and what command line script to use to execute it and start your xp unattended install.

I’m a lazy geek and I reinstall my OS on a monthly if not bi-weekly basis at times. Plus, it keeps my skills honed.

In turn, I’m to the point where i use a basic .bat file to run my install. You can use the tool on the XP CD to create a sif file or you can also go the fun route of opening the sif file w/notepad or creating one from notepad.

1. Open Notepad.
2. Paste this code into notepad (similar to what i use).

[Unattended]
UnattendMode=DefaultHide
OemaSkipEula=Yes
OemPreinstall=No
TargetPath=\WINDOWS

[GuiUnattended]
EncryptedAdminPassword=NO
AutoLogon=Yes
AutoLogonCount=1
OEMSkipRegional=1
TimeZone=20

[UserData]
ComputerName=”xxxxx”
ProductKey=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
FullName=”xxx”
OrgName=”xxx”

[Display]
BitsPerPel=32
Xresolution=1024
YResolution=768

[Components]
iis_common=On
iis_www=On

[TapiLocation]
CountryCode=1
Dialing=Tone
AreaCode=”xxx”

[RegionalSettings]
LanguageGroup=1
Language=00000409

[Identification]
JoinWorkgroup=yournetwork

[Networking]
InstallDefaultComponents=Yes

modify it to your preference (be sure to replace items w/xx’s in them!), then save it. After you save it, just rename it w/a .sif extension (ie custom.sif); if you are hiding file extensions, in Windows Explorer go to Tools > Folder Options > View tab and uncheck the “Hide extensions for known file types”.

i will usually put this sif file in the root of my XP install files (same folder as the i386 folder)

after creating your sif file, you can then create a nice .bat file you can then run that will run the setup from a dos environment. i put this batch file in the same folder as my sif file.

here is the commandline to start your XP Automated Install.

there is only one point where you will need to interact w/the installation.

also this can be a very useful and powerful tool and can be combined to say create a your own custom automated install cds.

links:

How to Perform an Unattended Installation of Windows from a CD-ROM (microsoft kb article)
-from the mouth of the horse itself
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314459/en-us

Barts Boot Image Extractor
handy for extracting boot image from original xp cd to make custom cds
http://www.nu2.nu/bbie/

How to burn an XP Bootable CD with SP1 Slipstreamed
also very similar technique as you would use to create custom automated xp install cd
http://www.infocellar.com/CD/xp-boot-cd.htm

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