Working with Answer Files

Unattended installation of Windows 2000 involves running Windows 2000 Setup with a customized script, called an answer file (.sif). These small text files contain the information that Windows 2000 otherwise asks the user to enter when installing or upgrading. Answer files do not always eliminate the need for user input. The information stored in answer files determines the level of input required during installation. If you want to create an unattended answer file, set the parameters so that user interaction is not required.

The process of working with answer files for use in Remote OS Installation includes the following steps:

  • Creating a setup answer file (.sif)

  • Associating an answer file with an operating system image

  • Controlling which users have access to the different setup answer files