Changed Answer File Settings from Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2

To review Windows® 8 and Windows Server® 2012 answer file settings that have changed since Windows Vista® and Windows Server® 2008, do the following:

In This Section

  • New Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Settings

  • New Internet Explorer 8 Settings

  • Changed and Renamed Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Settings

  • Deprecated and Removed Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Settings

New Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Settings

The following table lists settings that are new in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

New Setting Description

Microsoft-Windows-Audio-AudioCore

Specifies whether Windows actively detects whether a device is connected to an Audio-In port.

Microsoft-Windows-Audio-VolumeControl

Specifies whether volume controls appear when the computer is locked.

Microsoft-Windows-Deployment/Generalize

Instructs Windows Setup to shut down the system after other answer-file settings are processed, and then starts the generalize configuration pass.

Microsoft-Windows-DiagCpl

Manages settings in Control Panel for the Online Support item in the Additional Information item that is located in the Troubleshooting item.

Microsoft-Windows-IE-ClientNetworkProtocolImplementation/CacheLimit

Specifies the amount of disk space to use for storing temporary Internet files.

Microsoft-Windows-IE-InternetExplorer

Includes many new settings for Windows Internet Explorer® 8. For more information, see New Internet Explorer 8 Settings later in this topic.

Microsoft-Windows-LUA-Settings

Specifies whether Windows User Account Control (UAC) notifies the user when programs try to make changes to the computer. UAC was formerly known as Limited User Account (LUA).

Microsoft-Windows-MigrationWizardApplication/HideDiscontinuedComponents

Specifies whether discontinued applications appear to end users when the Migration Wizard transfers application settings to a new computer.

Microsoft-Windows-MobilePC-Sensors-API

Manages settings that are related to hardware sensors, such as ambient light sensors that adjust screen brightness.

Microsoft-Windows-NetworkLoadBalancing-Core/Clusters/Cluster/Portrules/Portrule/Timeout

Specifies the number of seconds for which the system preserves client affinity across configuration changes in the Network Load Balancing cluster. This setting applies to both single and network client affinity.

Microsoft-Windows-PnpSysprep/DoNotCleanUpNonPresentDevices

Specifies whether Plug and Play (PnP) devices that are not on the destination computer should remain installed during the next specialize configuration pass.

Microsoft-Windows-Security-SPP

Resets licensing values that the system set during system installation and image testing. This setting restores the computer to a clean installation licensing state.

Microsoft-Windows-Security-SPP-UX

Manages the user experience for Windows licensing.

Microsoft-Windows-Security-SPP-UX-SPPCC

Specifies referral IDs for the Windows Anytime Upgrade program.

Microsoft-Windows-Setup/DiskConfiguration/Disk/ModifyPartitions/ModifyPartition/TypeID

Assists in setting up partition types, including recovery partitions.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/FirstLogonCommands/SynchronousCommand/RequiresUserInput

Specifies whether the first logon command opens a dialog box that requires input from the user.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/LogonCommands/AsynchronousCommand/RequiresUserInput

Not used.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/NotificationArea

Enables you to set two icons to appear in the notification area.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/OEMWelcomeCenter

Enables you to define an OEM First Run application.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/OEMWelcomeCenterLinks

Specifies links that appear on the OEM First Run application.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/OOBE/HideWirelessSetupInOOBE

Specifies whether to hide the Join Wireless Network screen that appears during Windows Welcome.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/StartPanelLinks/Link4

Enables you to set a fifth link in the Start menu.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/TaskbarLinks

Specifies shortcuts to appear on the taskbar. You can specify up to three links.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/Themes/BrandIcon

Specifies the path to a graphics file that appears in Control Panel and that represents a theme.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/Themes/DesktopBackground

Specifies the path to a graphics file that appears as the desktop background.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/Themes/ScreenSaver

Specifies the path to a screen saver file in a theme.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/Themes/ThemeName

Specifies the name of a theme.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/Themes/WindowColor

Specifies the window glass color and color effects.

Microsoft-Windows-Sidebar/LayoutPosition

Specifies whether the default gadget position is the side or top of the desktop.

Microsoft-Windows-SystemMaintenanceService

Uses ReadyBoost™ to configure flash storage devices to serve as supplemental memory caches. This setting is typically used for devices that have been integrated with the computer, such as internal flash devices or solid-state drives (SSDs).

Helps improve system responsiveness, especially on systems that have less RAM or slower disks.

Microsoft-Windows-TabletPC-Platform-Input-Core/AssociationData

Associates a Tablet PC digitizer with a monitor.

Microsoft-Windows-TabletPC-Platform-Input-Core/MultiTouchEnabled

Specifies whether the computer can receive input from multiple points on a touch surface simultaneously.

Microsoft-Windows-TabletPC-Platform-Input-Core/PanningDisabled

Specifies whether an end user can scroll through a page by touching the screen and sliding a finger up or down.

Microsoft-Windows-TerminalServices-CentralPublishing

Specifies the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) port for RemoteApp and Desktop Connection Management.

Microsoft-Windows-TerminalServices-Publishing-WMIProvider

Configures the Terminal Services Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) provider.

Microsoft-Windows-UnattendedJoin/Identification/Provisioning

Provides an additional way to join a computer to a domain.

Microsoft-Windows-WinRE-RecoveryAgent/UninstallWindowsRE

Instructs Windows Setup to uninstall Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).

Microsoft-Windows-WPD-BusEnumService

Sets how often the computer searches for Bluetooth devices.

New Internet Explorer 8 Settings

The following table lists settings within the Microsoft-Windows-IE-InternetExplorer component that have changed since Internet Explorer 7.

Note

To deploy Windows Vista® together with Internet Explorer 8 settings, see Slipstreaming IE8 on the MSDN blog.

New setting Description

Accelerators

Contains the settings for Accelerators.

Accelerators are menu options that help automate common browser-related tasks.

AllSitesCompatibilityMode

Specifies whether Internet sites render in Compatibility View mode.

CommandLabelDisplay

Specifies whether tooltips appear next to the icons in the command bar.

CompatibilityViewDomains

Specifies domains that render in Compatibility View mode.

DisableAccelerators

Specifies whether Accelerators are disabled.

DisableDataExecutionPrevention

Specifies whether Internet Explorer prevents arbitrary code execution from a virtual memory page that is marked as non-executable.

DisableDevTools

Specifies whether the development tools are disabled.

DisableFirstRunWizard

Specifies whether to skip the First Run wizard when the user runs Internet Explorer for the first time.

DisableOOBAccelerators

Specifies whether the default Accelerators are available.

DisableWelcomePage

Specifies whether to skip the welcome page when the user runs Internet Explorer for the first time.

EnableLinksBar

Specifies whether the Favorites bar appears. This bar was called the Links bar in earlier versions.

FavoriteBarItems

Contains the settings that add predefined Favorite items to the Favorites bar.

A Favorite can include web content such as links, feeds, Web Slices, or documents, such as Microsoft® Word, Microsoft Excel®, and Microsoft PowerPoint® documents.

GroupTabs

Specifies whether tabs appear in groups.

InstalledBHOList

Contains settings for configuring Browser Helper Objects (BHOs).

BHOs are add-on modules that add functionality to Internet Explorer.

InstalledBrowserExtensions

Contains settings for configuring browser extensions.

Browser extensions are add-on modules that add functionality to Internet Explorer.

InstalledToolbarsList

Contains settings for configuring toolbars.

Toolbars are plug-in modules that add functionality to Internet Explorer.

IntranetCompatibilityMode

Specifies whether intranet sites render by using Compatibility View.

LockToolbars

Specifies whether Internet Explorer locks toolbars in place.

MSCompatibilityMode

Specifies whether Compatibility View uses updated website lists from Microsoft.

PreApprovedAddons

Contains settings for configuring pre-approved add-ons.

Add-ons are plug-in modules that add functionality to Internet Explorer.

PrintBackground

Specifies whether the background of a webpage is printed by default when the user prints the page.

PrivacyAdvisorMode

Specifies whether InPrivate Browsing and InPrivate Blocking are active, and when they provide alerts.

InPrivate Browsing prevents Internet Explorer from storing data about your browsing session.

InPrivate Blocking helps prevent the websites that you visit from automatically sharing details about your visit with other websites.

SearchScopes/Scope/DisplayQuickPick

Specifies whether the Search Scope appears as a Quick Pick icon.

SearchScopes/Scope/FaviconURL

Specifies the path to an icon for a specific Search Scope.

SearchScopes/Scope/PreviewURL

Specifies the URL where previews appear in the Accelerator window.

SearchScopes/Scope/ShowSearchSuggestions

Specifies whether search suggestions appear.

When search suggestions are displayed, a menu appears below the Search box with suggestions when a user types a search term in the Search box.

SearchScopes/Scope/SuggestionsURL

Specifies the URL where a user can retrieve suggestions by using an XML-based search.

SearchScopes/Scope/SuggestionsURL_JSON

Specifies the URL where a user can retrieve search suggestions by using a search that is based on JavaScript Object Notation (JSON).

ShowCommandBar

Specifies whether the Command bar appears.

ShowCompatibilityViewButton

Specifies whether to show the Compatibility View button next to the Address bar.

The Compatibility View button enables users to switch between Internet Explorer 8 mode and Internet Explorer 7 Compatibility mode.

ShowLeftAddressToolbar

Specifies whether to show the Stop and Refresh buttons.

ShowMenuBar

Specifies whether the Menu bar appears.

ShowStatusBar

Specifies whether the Status bar appears.

SmallCommandBarIcons

Specifies whether the Command bar displays large or small icons.

SuggestedSitesEnabled

Specifies whether the Suggested Search Results bar appears.

TabProcessGrowth

Sets the rate at which Internet Explorer creates new tab processes.

Changed and Renamed Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Settings

The following table lists Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 settings that are changed from Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

Setting Description of Setting Description of Change

Microsoft-Windows-DNS-Client

Contains settings for configuring the Domain Name System (DNS).

Added to the windowsPE configuration pass.

Microsoft-Windows-PerfCenterCPL

Specifies the settings in the Performance Information and Tools Control Panel.

Added to the auditSystem configuration pass.

Microsoft-Windows-Security-Licensing-SLC-UX/SkipAutoActivation

Manages the user experience for security licensing.

Renamed to Microsoft-Windows-Security-SPP-UX/SkipAutoActivation.

Microsoft-Windows-Security-Licensing-SLC/SkipRearm

Removes licensing values that are set during system installation and testing.

This setting specifies whether to execute the Windows Software Licensing Rearm program.

Renamed to Microsoft-Windows-Security-SPP/SkipRearm.

Microsoft-Windows-Security-Licensing-SLCC/ReferralId

Specifies referral IDs for the Windows Anytime Upgrade program.

Renamed to Microsoft-Windows-Security-SPP-UX-SPPCC/ReferralId.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/Themes

Configures themes.

No longer used to configure themes. Custom themes are no longer set by a file. Instead, they are set by the new BrandIcon, DesktopBackground, ScreenSaver, ThemeName, and WindowColor unattended settings.

Microsoft-Windows-Sidebar

Configures settings for displaying gadgets on the desktop.

Configures gadgets. However, the Sidebar is not available in Windows 7. Instead, gadgets appear on the desktop.

Networking-MPSSVC-Svc/DisableStatefulFTP

Disables the Windows® Firewall File Transfer Protocol (FTP) connection inspection engine.

Changed default value for server editions of Windows.

Networking-MPSSVC-Svc/DisableStatefulPPTP

Disables the Windows® Firewall Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) connection inspection engine.

Changed default value for server editions of Windows.

Networking-MPSSVC-Svc/DomainProfile_DisableNotifications

Disables Windows® Firewall notifications for the domain profile.

Changed default value for server editions of Windows.

Networking-MPSSVC-Svc/PrivateProfile_DisableNotifications

Disables Windows Firewall notifications for the private profile.

Changed default value for server editions of Windows.

Networking-MPSSVC-Svc/PublicProfile_DisableNotifications

Disables Windows Firewall notifications for the public profile.

Changed default value for server editions of Windows.

Deprecated and Removed Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Settings

The following table lists Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 settings that have been deprecated in Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 Setting Status of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 Setting

Microsoft-Windows-ehome-reg-inf/HKLM10FtOOBE

Deprecated. In Windows 7, the Windows Media Center Out-of-Box Experience is designed for operation by keyboard, mouse, or remote control.

Microsoft-Windows-ehome-reg-inf/ShowGallery

Deprecated. In Windows 7, Windows Media® Center contains a Movies strip that includes both a Movie Library tile and a Play DVD tile.

Microsoft-Windows-IE-InternetExplorer/IEWelcomeMsg

Deprecated. To skip the First Run wizard and the welcome page when Internet Explorer runs for the first time, use the DisableFirstRunWizard and DisableWelcomePage settings instead.

Microsoft-Windows-Security-Licensing-SLCC/PartnerId

Deprecated. To identify participants in the Windows Anytime Upgrade program for Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, only the Microsoft-Windows-Security-SPP-UX-SPPCC/ReferralId setting is required.

Microsoft-Windows-Security-Licensing-SLCC/WAUSetupLocation

Deprecated. For information about upgrading to a higher edition of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, see Change the Windows Image to a Higher Edition.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/OOBE/SkipMachineOOBE

Deprecated. Do not use this setting. This setting was used to skip Windows Welcome. For more information about how to skip Windows Welcome, see Automate Windows Welcome.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/OOBE/SkipUserOOBE

Deprecated. In Windows 7, the Getting Started application has replaced this setting. The Getting Started application is available on the Start menu.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/StartPanelOff

Deprecated. The Windows XP Start menu is not available in Windows 7.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/Themes/CustomDefaultThemeFile

Deprecated. To define a default theme in Windows 7, use the BrandIcon, DesktopBackground, ScreenSaver, ThemeName, and WindowColor settings. You may also use a .theme file to add themes. However, adding a default theme by using a .theme file is no longer supported.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup/WindowsFeatures/ShowWindowsMail

Deprecated. Windows Mail is not available in Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Microsoft-Windows-Sidebar/SidebarOnByDefault

Deprecated. The Sidebar is not available in Windows 7. Instead, gadgets appear on the desktop. For more information, see Microsoft-Windows-Sidebar.

Microsoft-Windows-Sidebar/SidebarVisible

Deprecated. By default, the Sidebar is not available in Windows 7. Instead, gadgets appear on the desktop. For more information, see Microsoft-Windows-Sidebar.

Microsoft-Windows-stobject/FlyoutHighPerformancePowerScheme

Deprecated in Windows 7, but not in Windows Server 2008 R2. In Windows 7, only two power options appear in the Battery Meter menu. Use the FlyoutAutoPowerScheme and FlyoutPowerSaverPowerScheme settings instead.

UDDI-Setup

Removed. The Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI) server role has been removed from this release. For more information about Microsoft UDDI Services, see the Microsoft UDDI Services Web site.

See Also

Concepts

Changed Answer File Settings from Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Changed Answer File Settings from Windows XP and Windows Server 2003