Windows 2000 Unattended Installation

When deploying Windows 2000 across a fleet of servers or workstations, time and precision become critical. Unattended installations remove the repetitive manual steps-setting language options, partitioning disks, and configuring system roles-by scripting everything in a response file. This method not only accelerates rollouts but also guarantees consistent configurations, a necessity in regulated environments or when maintaining identical lab setups.

Why Opt for Unattended Installation in Windows 2000

Windows 2000 introduced the Windows Setup Response file, commonly called an unattend file, allowing administrators to predefine options that would otherwise appear in interactive setup dialogs. The benefits are clear: faster deployments, reduced human error, and the ability to lock in hard‑coded settings such as product keys, network configuration, and user accounts.

Creating a Basic Response File

The response file is a plain text document with a .inf extension, following the INF syntax. It contains sections that correspond to different phases of the installation: pre‑install, installing, post‑install, and network. Each section includes key-value pairs that override default prompts. A minimal example might look like this:

[preinstall]Language=0x0409,OS=Win2000[preinstall]TimeZone=Eastern[@preinstall]ProductKey=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX[@install]User=Administrator Password=Passw0rd[@postinstall]AddUser=guest Password=guest

Each line instructs Setup to skip a dialog box and feed the specified value automatically. The Language entry sets the display language, while the ProductKey bypasses the licensing prompt.

Integrating the Response File into the Bootable Media

To deploy Windows 2000 unattended, the response file must be placed in a location where Setup can locate it during boot. The standard approach is to copy the response file to the root of the installation media, naming it Unattend.inf. When booting from the Windows 2000 CD or USB, the setup process scans the root directory for Unattend.inf and applies the directives automatically.

Another technique involves using the boot floppy image. By modifying the Boot.ini file to include a parameter such as /i:Unattend.inf, the setup engine is directed to use the specified response file located on the boot disk or a shared network path. This method proves useful when multiple response files exist for different deployment scenarios.

Configuring Disk Partitioning and Drive Letters

Disk layout decisions can be scripted within the response file using the [preinstall] section. The parameter ___MARKDOWN

indicates that the installer should use the first available disk. For more granular control, administrators can specify



to target a specific drive, or use



to set the system volume letter explicitly. These options eliminate the need for manual partitioning during the initial boot phase.

When setting up multiple partitions-such as separating system files from user data-the response file can list several

entries. Each entry creates a new volume with a defined size. An example snippet might include:

Partition=1Size=50000Partition=2Size=200000

These sizes are expressed in megabytes, allowing precise allocation of disk space during the automated install.

Network Configuration Without User Interaction

Network settings are vital for servers that must join a domain upon boot. Within the

section, the



and



keys can be set to static IP addresses. , the



key specifies the target domain name, while



and



supply credentials for domain join operations. By scripting these values, the installer automatically joins the specified domain without prompting for user input.

Post‑Install Customization

section lets administrators add local users, configure services, and set system policies after the core installation finishes. Commands such as



or



enable the creation of standard accounts and the adjustment of registry keys. For example, adding a privileged user could be scripted as:



AddUser=appuser Password=Secure123Similarly, disabling the Windows 2000 Update Service automatically can be accomplished by setting

in the same section, preventing the system from attempting to fetch updates that are no longer supported.

Testing and Validation

Before rolling out unattended installs in production, a rigorous testing phase ensures that the response file triggers the expected behavior. Creating a virtual machine that boots from the customized media allows administrators to observe whether all prompts are skipped and all settings are applied correctly. Checking log files such as setup.log and winnt.log provides insight into any errors or missing directives.

During testing, if a particular setting fails-perhaps the domain join does not complete-adjusting the response file to include additional parameters, like

PROTECTED_15___, can resolve transient network issues. This iterative refinement guarantees that the final unattended install will execute flawlessly across target systems.

Deploying Across Multiple Machines

Once a response file has been validated, administrators can deploy Windows 2000 en masse. Copying the same Unattend.inf onto every installation media eliminates the need for individual configuration. For environments where hardware differences exist-such as varying disk sizes-dynamic scripting within the response file can accommodate these variations by using conditional statements or fallback values.

Automating the creation of response files using scripts (VBScript, PowerShell) further streamlines the process. By generating a unique Unattend.inf for each machine based on its hardware fingerprint, organizations can maintain consistency while allowing for necessary customization.

Conclusion

Windows 2000 unattended installation transforms a traditionally manual process into a repeatable, efficient workflow. By mastering the response file syntax, strategically placing configuration directives, and rigorously testing the deployment, administrators can achieve rapid, error‑free rollouts. This approach not only saves time but also enforces standardization across an enterprise’s Windows 2000 infrastructure, laying a solid foundation for reliable and secure operations.