Designing Automated Post-Installation Tasks

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Post-installation tasks include any installation and configuration tasks that need to be performed after the operating system is installed. Post-installation tasks are usually described in your component design or your client and server configuration design. You usually perform these tasks by running a command, program, script, or batch file after Setup is finished running. For example, your client networking design might include information about network settings that need to be configured with the Netset.exe command line tool. Likewise, your client configuration design might include information about mapped network drive settings that need to be configured with the net use command or printers that need to be installed with the Rundll32.exe program.

You can automate these types of tasks after the operating system is installed by using a Cmdlines.txt file or by using the [GuiRunOnce] section in your answer file. Both methods allow you to run commands, programs, scripts, and batch files.

To design automated post-installation tasks for an unattended installation, you must:

  • Identify the tasks you want to perform after the operating system is installed.

  • Design a method for automating the tasks you want to perform.