Article ID: 136153 - Last Review: February 20, 2007 - Revision: 2.2

Using an Answer File for an Unattended Installation

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SUMMARY

An answer file is a text file that is used in conjunction with Setup to bypass normal Setup prompts. An unattended installation is run by specifying the /U switch with Winnt.exe or Winnt32.exe. For example:
WINNT /U:{Answer File} /S:{Source Files}

Windows can use the answer files: 
   Product                             Default Answer File
   -------------------------------------------------------
   Windows NT Resource Kit 3.5         Unattend.txt
   Windows NT Resource Kit 3.51        Unattend.txt
   Windows 2000 Resource Kit           Unattend.txt

MORE INFORMATION

The answer file can be modified with any text editor or by using Setup Manager, included in the Windows NT and Windows 2000 Resource Kit.

An answer file can also be created by using Uplodprf.exe.

Note: This answer file is included with the Resource Kit for versions of Windows NT 3.5, and 3.51.

Uplodprf.exe must be run from the system you intend to profile. UPLODPRF uses the following command line syntax: 
   uplodprf -p:{AnswerFile} -b- -u- -n- -r- -x -i:{inffile}
				

   -p:AnswerFile  Output an answer file for use with unattended setup.
				

   -b-            The boot sector will not be copied (all other processing
                  is still performed.)

   -u-            Do not generate a user account definition file.
				


   -n-            Do not dump ACLs of files in the profile
				


   -r-            Do not dump the registry key ACLs
				


   -x             Do not copy files to sharedir.
				


   -i:inffile     INFFILE is the file containing the instructions for
                  processing the Windows NT computer for redistribution.


The following informational messages may result after running the above command. They can be ignored.
(5) Access is denied.
Unable to delete key HiveUpdateRoot from registry.
Timeout value in Boot.ini file has been set to 0.
Boot Sector was not copied from local drive.
No User account information dumped.
For a more complete explanation of uplodprf switches, type UPLODPRF /? at the Windows command prompt.
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
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Keywords: 
kbsetup KB136153
 

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