Setup Technical Reference

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Setup Technical Reference

The Setup program in the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating systems provides a method for carrying out an interactive installation or upgrade on a single computer. The Setup program is also the basis for the following installation or upgrade methods that are not interactive: unattended installation, Remote Installation Services (RIS), and image-based installation with the System Preparation tool (Sysprep).

Interactive setup involves a simple repeating process in which Setup alternates between prompting for information and performing appropriate tasks, such as copying files, saving settings, and so on. In contrast, for installation methods that are not interactive, the input does not come from a person responding to prompts, but from another source, such as an answer file (for unattended installation or RIS) or an operating system image (for Sysprep or RIS).

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