Windows XP: sif files and unattended batch file install -

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.

winnt /s:..\i386 /u:..\custom.sif

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
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-xp-pro-installation-disc/4377e7a9-9d5f-4085-9c20-3b29cfa944e2

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

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.

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