Install Command Unavailable on .inf File Context Menu

When you use the right mouse button to click an .inf file, the Install command may not be available on the context menu that appears.

The Install command may not be available if the default association for .inf files is changed from the default value. This is often done by using the right mouse button to click an .inf file while holding down the SHIFT key, selecting a different program to open the .inf file, and then selecting the "Always use this program to open this type of file" check box.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.


To enable the Install command for .inf files, use any one of the following methods:

• NOTE: For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.
  
  WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
  
  Change the "(Default)" value in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.inf registry key to inffile. Restart your computer for this change to take effect.
• Restore the standard shell commands. To do so, click the Start button, click Run, type the following line in the Open box, and then click OK:
  
  rundll setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 c:\windows\inf\shell.inf
  
  NOTE: Type the above line as one long line. If you installed Windows 95 in a folder other than the Windows folder, adjust the command accordingly.
  
  After hard disk activity stops, restart Windows.
• 1. Start Windows Explorer.
  2. On the View menu, click Options, and then click the File Types tab.
  3. In the Registered File Types box, click Setup Information, and then click Edit.
  4. Click New, type Install in the Action box, and then type the following line in the Application Used To Perform Action box:
     
     c:\windows\rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132
     
     NOTE: Type the above line as one long line. If you installed Windows in a folder other than the Windows folder, adjust the command accordingly.
  5. Click OK Until you return to Windows Explorer.

If "Setup Information" does not appear in the Registered File Types box a new one must be made. To make a new "Setup Information" File type:

1. Delete the .inf key in the following registry key:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
2. Start Windows Explorer, click Options on the View menu, and then click the File Types tab.
3. In the Registered File Types box, click Setup Information, and then click Edit.
4. Click New, type &Install in the Action box, and then type the following line in the Application Used To Perform Action box:
   
   

   c:\windows\rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132
   						

5. Click New, type Open in the Action box, and then type the following line in the Application Used To Perform Action box:
   
   

   c:\windows\notepad.exe
   						

6. Click New, type Print in the Action box, and then type the following line in the Application Used To Perform Action box:
   
   

   c:\windows\notepad.exe /p
   						

7. Click OK, and then click Close.