Microsoft® Windows® Desktop Deployment Resource Kit

Editing Answer Files

There are two ways to create answer files for Windows XP Setup. You can use Windows Setup Manager, which walks you step-by-step through creating an answer file and distribution point, or you can use a text editor. This section describes both.

At first glance, using Windows Setup Manager might seem like the easiest option. It’s really not. First, Windows Setup Manager doesn’t support all the settings that you’re likely going to configure in an answer file. Second, it’s many times quicker to start with a template answer file and customize it than to create an answer file by stepping through the wizard. Last, when you do use a template answer file that you’ve previously tested and confirmed to work properly, you can benefit from ...