Microsoft® Windows® Desktop Deployment Resource Kit

Installing .inf Files

Setup Information files have the .inf extension; I call them .inf files. The Windows XP Professional setup API (application programming interface) uses .inf files to script installations. Most people associate .inf files with device-driver installation, but applications often use them, too. Most actions that you associate with installing device drivers and applications are available through .inf files. You can copy, remove, and rename files. You can add, change, and delete registry values. You can install and start services. You can install most anything using .inf files. For example, you can use them to customize registry settings—obviously. You can also create .inf files that users can uninstall using Add Or Remove Programs. ...