How to create a custom Setup.ini file to customize setup options during the installation of Office XP

The Setup.exe file reads the Setup settings file (Setup.ini) and writes tasks to the Windows registry, based on the information that is contained in the settings file. You can customize Setup.ini or create your own custom INI files to control many aspects of the installation process. This article describes how you can create a custom Setup.ini file when you use the Customize Setup options during the installation of Office XP.

Create the Custom Setup.ini File

Setup.ini is located in the Files\Setup folder on the administrative installation point. When you use the Setup INI Customization Wizard to specify your modifications, the wizard automatically writes the information in the appropriate sections of the INI file.

The Setup settings file organizes Setup options in an easy-to-read format. It is more convenient to use this format than to use long or complex command lines. If you use Setup.ini to set most Setup properties, you can reserve the command line for specific and targeted modifications, or for changes that you must make late in the deployment process.

The Setup INI Customization Wizard provides a convenient user interface for creating custom versions of the Setup settings file. The wizard also helps to prevent you from inadvertently specifying settings that conflict. The wizard automatically generates a Setup command line that includes the /settings switch and the name and path to your custom INI file.

Before you can use the Setup INI Customization Wizard, you must create an Office XP administrative installation point. Your custom INI file must be based on an existing INI file, such as the Setup.ini file for Office XP.

To create a custom Setup.ini file:

1. Start the Setup INI Customization Wizard.
2. Type the path to your Office XP administrative installation point, and then click Next. The wizard searches the specified network share for a Setup.ini file.
3. From the administrative installation point, select an INI file on which to base your custom INI file. Or, click Browse to go to a different location and select a file. Click Next.
4. Under Logging, select a logging mode, and then type a name for the log file or template. Click Default to use the logging mode that is specified in the INI file. Click Verbose to use all logging options. Note that verbose logging creates very large log files.
5. Under Display, select a default display setting, and then click Next. The wizard searches the administrative installation point for additional packages (MSI files) that you can chain to the Office installation.
6. Select the check boxes next to the packages that you want to include in your custom INI file, add packages or programs (EXE files) that are stored in another location, and then click Next.
7. Use the arrow keys to determine the order in which you want Setup.exe to install the chained packages. The System Files Update package is always installed first (if required), followed by the Office XP package. You can change the order in which subsequent chained packages are installed.
8. Select each package, specify the options that you want for that package, and then click Next. For each package, you can specify an MST file and a unique display setting, as well as additional property values.
9. To add additional property-value pairs to your custom INI file, select a package, click Advanced Properties, type the properties and values that you want, and then click Next. The wizard displays a summary of the changes to save in the custom INI file.
10. Click Save As, and then type a name and path for your INI file. The wizard supplies a sample Setup command line that specifies your custom INI file with the /settings option.
11. Click Finish to quit the wizard.

Troubleshooting

Do not overwrite the original Setup.ini file. If you want Setup to use your custom INI file, copy Setup.exe and then rename it to match the name of your custom INI file. Setup then uses your custom INI file by default, and you do not need to use the /settings option.