Win7 x64 Change "Program Files" folder names

[Val3r10]

Hi. I tried with vLite, but it was the wrong path, as this' a fully unattended matter.

I'd like to change the default "program files" directories at installation time, as I always did with WinXP x64 WINNT.SIF

For example stuff like this:

[Unattended]
ProgramFilesDir="\Programmi.x64"
CommonProgramFilesDir="\Programmi.x64\File Comuni"
ProgramFilesDir(x86)="\Programmi"
CommonProgramFilesDir(x86)="\Programmi\File Comuni"

[SystemRestore]
DisableSR=1

As far as I understand, this should be done in the unattended.xml you deal with here.

I also downloaded both the WAIK for Seven and the help files (you can find them alone on the MS site, saving 1.2gb download..)

And could manage to find the DisableSR stuff, but NOT the ProgramFileDir statements I guess I'd use...

Only "ProgramData" section

I'm quite sure it could be done because such folders are already renamed in the Italian version to "Programmi (x86)" and "Programmi"... but I would go further as above explained

Could you please put me on the right way to accomplish this (weird) task ?

Where could I change those info ?

Thank a lot for any hint

[Val3r10]

I'm quite sure it could be done because such folders are already renamed in the Italian version to "Programmi (x86)" and "Programmi"... but I would go further as above explained

Just an update/fix: actually I realized that translastion is only made at display level within Windows (i.e. with desktop.ini file).

Real names are universally "Program Files (x86)" and "Program Files", but when accessed by explorer or whatever, these names are wrapped to the localized language version.

A reason more for me to rename them in the unattended section as I asked in this thread.

Thank you for any hint

Where I could start studying the unattended.xml syntax and basics from ?

This forum is for Pros, and I'd need a beginners' guide.

For instance, where should I find/put such file on the installation disk (I prepared the USB version of the installer, for quick tests... )

Thanks again

[MrJinje]

Where I could start studying the unattended.xml syntax and basics from ?

Install the Windows 7 WAIK

Search for "Unattend.chm"

[Val3r10]

I also downloaded both the WAIK for Seven and the help files (you can find them alone on the MS site, saving 1.2gb download..)

Thanks for your answer. As said before, I already installed the W7 AIK and also downloaded the unattended guide apart

(10mb DL, here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...93-19123141EDAA )

But there's no mention of ProgramFiles directory hacks or mods

I knew (even in the WINNT.SIF) it was an undocumented and unsupported feature, but as I hadn't a single problem with XP x64, I would apply the same mod on Seven.

Does anybody ... ?

Thank you again

PS: The WIM mounter I also tried to manage packaging doesn't work for me. Does it need Win7 instead of XP x64 as WAIK does ?

[cluberti]

You could do it in the WIM itself (mount it and rename), although I'm at a loss for *why* you'd want to risk breaking the servicing engine?

[MrJinje]

Here is M$ warning you not to change it via the registry, so consider yourself warned. At least you have a starting point.

One problem I can clearly see is that even if you change it there the registry is still tattooed with hard-coded links to folders inside the "Program Files" directory. For instance "Common Files" in the jpeg will need to also be moved at the same time. Sounds like more work than it is worth.

[Val3r10]

Thank you everybody.

I'm aware of the risks, as said the same I had to face in my working XP x64 till now.

No problem about renaming some links, because it's often needed for other reasons too

(i.e., remote accessing to a win desktop often changes any given "C:\Program Files" to "\\hostname\c$\Program Files", everywhere... An annoyin bug not related with the program folder name, for example...)

Also alreay knew the registry hack I could set up LATER, after the complete installation.

That's why, as I did in my WINNT.SIF in XP x64 (1st post), I would modify those variables at the installation time.

This way I should catch most of the link creation, at least them which correctly handle %ProgramFiles% vars.

That's why I would use Win7 AutoUnattended.xml feature to set those paths.

First, I don't know which section, as they are undocumented.

Same ProgramData's "shell" section ?

Thank you again

Edited December 15, 2009 by Val3r10

[Val3r10]

You could do it in the WIM itself (mount it and rename), although I'm at a loss for *why* you'd want to risk breaking the servicing engine?

Thnx. I also realized I could put my AutoUnattend.xml file outside the boot.wim, in any usb/local partition root

Even within an usb-based setup... (this case I should use ANOTHER usb drive, because only the BOOT.WIM is loopback mounted)

This way, I don't need to repackage it.