Installing, Configuring, and Maintaining Software - Software Installation: What You Need to Know

The more you understand about software installation, the better prepared you’ll be to resolve problems you may encounter. Generally, the installation process starts when you trigger the AutoPlay or Autorun process. AutoPlay or Autorun in turn starts the software application’s Setup program. Setup is a program responsible for managing the installation process. Part of the installation process involves validating your credentials and checking the software’s compatibility with Windows Vista.

AutoPlay options determine how Windows Vista handles files on CDs, DVDs, and portable devices. You can configure separate AutoPlay options for each type of CD, DVD, and media your computer can handle.

With software and games, you have the following AutoPlay options:

Install or run program 
   Uses the program’s Autorun file to start installing or
   running the program automatically.

Open folder to view files using Windows Explorer 
   Opens Windows Explorer so that you can browse the
   CD or DVD.

Take no action 
   No action is taken when Windows Vista detects the
   CD or DVD. You must manually start the installation
   process.

Ask me every time 
   Displays the AutoPlay dialog box, which prompts you
   for an action to take, as shown in Figure 4-1.

You can configure AutoPlay options for software and games by completing the following steps:

1. Click Start -> Default Programs.
   
2. On the Default Programs page in the Control Panel, click Change AutoPlay settings.
   
3. As shown in Figure 4-2, use the Software and Games list to set the default AutoPlay option to use.
   
4. Click Save to save your settings.

Autorun

When AutoPlay is enabled, Windows Vista checks for a file named Autorun.inf when you insert a CD or DVD into a CD or DVD drive. For software applications and games, this file identifies the Setup program and related installation parameters that should be used to install the software or game.

Figure 4-1.  Selecting the Autorun or Setup option to install or run a program

Figure 4-2.  Setting AutoPlay defaults

As Autorun.inf is a text-based file, you can view its contents in any standard text editor, such as WordPad or Notepad. Most Autorun.inf files are similar to the following example:

  [autorun]
  OPEN=SETUP.EXE
  ICON=SETUP.EXE,1
  SHELL=OPEN
  DisplayName=Microsoft Encarta 2007

When AutoPlay triggers this Autorun.inf file, Windows Vista opens a file named Setup.exe when the CD or DVD is inserted into the CD or DVD drive. Because Setup.exe is a program, Windows Vista runs this program. The Autorun.inf file also specifies an icon to use, the status of the shell, and the program’s display name.

Although you’ll usually find that an Autorun.inf file opens and then runs a Setup program, this isn’t always the case. When AutoPlay triggers this Autorun.inf file, Windows Vista opens a file named Default.htm in Internet Explorer:

  [autorun]
  OPEN=Autorun\ShelExec default.htm

As long as AutoPlay is enabled, you can retrigger the AutoPlay and Autorun processes by opening and then closing the drive bay.

Next: Application Setup >>
 

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This article is excerpted from chapter four of Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide, written by William R. Stanek (O'Reilly, 2007; ISBN: 0596528000). Check it out today at your favorite bookstore. Buy this book now.