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Windows Tweak

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by al_alonzo

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I would like to tweak the registry for my users so that when I install any devices (for example a printer) MS-Windows searches the .cab files installed on the HD instead of prompting me for the Windows CD.

1. Is this possible in MS-Win 98/ME/2000/xp?
2. Can someone provide me the the steps to tweak the registry?
3. Where should the .cab files reside?

8 replies

by thechas

1. Yes, it is possible.

3. I use c:\windows\options
You can use any folder you want. I would keep the name to the DOS 8 digit format so that you can easily access the folder from DOS.
I then copy the install CD to the folder.

2. I'm surethat someone else will direct you to the correct key. I follow the following procedure so that I know that I have taken care of all instances.

NOTE!!! Please familiarize yourself with reg-edit before proceeding. There are several articles in the TechRepublic archives. There are also articles and links at www.aumha.org
Back up the registry before editing.

a. From the run dialog, type in and run regedit.
b. From the root of the registry, click find on the edit menu.
c. Type in the drive letter of the CD drive (D:) (include the : to reduce the number of search hits.
d. Look at the registry key information for each hit. You want to edit the data for any search or install lookup that is involved with windows or drivers.
e. After you edit the key, the change takes effect the next time you boot the system.

Note: some of the keys are linked. Changing one changes it's twin. So, you will get a couple of errors when you try to edit a complementary key in a differnt root.

by thechas

If your users are on a network, instead of loading the windows file on every hard drive, set up a network folder for each version of the OS.
(there are at least 3 versions of 95, and 2 of 98)
Map a network drive to the folder for each user, and place that link in the registry.

by syscokid

You can put the cab files anywhere you want, e.g. C:\cabs or C:\Windows\Cabs.

Then run regedit and navigate to the key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup.

Look for "SourcePath in the right hand pane, and
editthe path to reflect your directory of choice where you have placed the cab files.

by true_texan

A good source for tweaks is www.regedit.com. This one may still be listed on the site.

One other thing to consider for the future is to copy the cab files to the hard drive before you install the OS. Cab files normally reside in C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. From a freshly formatted drive, if you create that path, copy the cab files from the CD to that path, and then install the OS, the OS will always look to that path for any references to cab files.

Hope this helps!

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