a more custom windows install?

[lodore]

Hello,
Windows 95,98 and NT4 had quite a few install options see screenie.
as far as im aware it allowed you to untick software you didnt want to install such as games etc.


currently with windows 7 if i didnt want a MS program thats provided with windows 7 i would have to install windows 7, and then uninstall the program i dont want such as media player and most likely need a reboot to complete.
It would be nice if MS provided an extra screen at install time asking which applicatiosn i wish to install. any i dont want i can jut untick. of course i want to install later i can go to add/remove programs and install it from the dvd.

Who thinks being able to be able to choose not to install programs at install time (without something like Vlite) is a good idea?

for example with vista it comes with windows mail which i dont use but i still have to patch it every so often because something to still exploit it. lukcly no mail client comes with 7 but the same example could be used with IE. if the program isnt installed its one less security risk and also means a leaner system.

[CrazyMonkey]

Yes it would be nice, but Microsoft has to push its products like WMP and IE, or they will lose market share.

Just Vlite the installation and be done with it forever Also incorporate your service packs.

[Paul Adams]

Actually the install experience was streamlined to reduce the number of clicks deemed unnecessary - they are then easily done on first bootup.

And as you mentioned, the solution for a custom install is to go through it once, tailor the system to suit (including patching) and then resealing it - this is also in-line with larger scale deployments so makes it consistent.

Your options for customizing are a lot deeper with the "full OS installed" than they would be with tools to do offline tweaking or slipstreaming.

[Jay]

and those options for "do not install" in xp etc where all a lie, most of the time it still installed all that crap but just didn't give you an icon.

[blueball]

I used vlite to install Vista. What this means now is that I cannot upgrade to SP2 becuase SP2 insists that some vital components are missing.

I would be VERY careful with how much I customised my vlite image based on that experience.

[TheAnimus]

Given how cheap space is, there is a lot to be said for just having all the libraries and components someone would need.

Even if your not using WMP, why remote it completely, just get all the shell extensions taken away? It is a useful component for app devs, if you want a player that can pause/skip/stop a video etc, its very easy to drag n draw a player activex control. The alternative of using the full multimedia API is regretably beyound far to many developers skills.

[Singh400]

Hello,
Windows 95,98 and NT4 had quite a few install options see screenie.
as far as im aware it allowed you to untick software you didnt want to install such as games etc.


currently with windows 7 if i didnt want a MS program thats provided with windows 7 i would have to install windows 7, and then uninstall the program i dont want such as media player and most likely need a reboot to complete.
It would be nice if MS provided an extra screen at install time asking which applicatiosn i wish to install. any i dont want i can jut untick. of course i want to install later i can go to add/remove programs and install it from the dvd.

Who thinks being able to be able to choose not to install programs at install time (without something like Vlite) is a good idea?

for example with vista it comes with windows mail which i dont use but i still have to patch it every so often because something to still exploit it. lukcly no mail client comes with 7 but the same example could be used with IE. if the program isnt installed its one less security risk and also means a leaner system.

Check out WAIK mate, you can customize your install from the get go so stuff is never installed or completely disabled on first logon. Been a while since I played with it myself, but I grabbed the WAIK from Windows 7 last night and fully intend to have a proper mess around

[lodore]

Check out WAIK mate, you can customize your install from the get go so stuff is never installed or completely disabled on first logon. Been a while since I played with it myself, but I grabbed the WAIK from Windows 7 last night and fully intend to have a proper mess around

Hey,
I forgot about WAIK.
I used it at college to do some unatended installs.

i can only find WAIK for windows 7 RC. did you download that version or did you find the version for windows 7 rtm? if the latter link please.

[lodore]

Given how cheap space is, there is a lot to be said for just having all the libraries and components someone would need.

Even if your not using WMP, why remote it completely, just get all the shell extensions taken away? It is a useful component for app devs, if you want a player that can pause/skip/stop a video etc, its very easy to drag n draw a player activex control. The alternative of using the full multimedia API is regretably beyound far to many developers skills.

I see your point. the problem that i have at least with vista is that i have some media playing sharing services running all the time even thou i dont share media with other computers using media player.
im glad windows 7 finaly has trigger services. there is quite alot less running in windows 7 all the time.

[Singh400]

Hey,
I forgot about WAIK.
I used it at college to do some unatended installs.

i can only find WAIK for windows 7 RC. did you download that version or did you find the version for windows 7 rtm? if the latter link please.

Just had a quick play with the new WAIK, and surprise surprise, I've forgotten everything. Oh well, time to dive back into the rather good documentation.