This thread is supposed to be a little introduction for users who might be interesed in WIHU but don't know what it is.

Q1) What does "WIHU" stand for?
A1) "WIHU" is an abbreviation for "Windows Installation Helper Utility"

Q2) What does WIHU do, what is it intended for?
A2) WIHU is an easy to use tool for user account creation and software installation, i.e. it allows the user to select software which should or should not be installed. After selection is finished it runs the desired applications automatically. Automated software installation is by the way the main purpose of WIHU.
And moreover user accounts can be modified/created/deleted as well including their specific settings like placement of the windows system folders like "My pictures" etc. WIHU is generally intended to be used for unattended windows installations.

Q3) But aren't there already other ways to achieve that?
A3) Yes, but WIHU is meant to be a good-looking, easy-to-use replacement for batch files, RunOnceEX, etc. based unattended. Just give it a try and it's very likely that you're gonna like it. *hehe* By the way: nLite isn't comparable to WIHU, these are two programs with different objectives.

Q4) How does it work, how do I tell WIHU what to do?
A4) WIHU is mainly controlled by command line parameters and configuration files; the latter ones, of course, you have to create on your own according to your needs. But don't panic, it ain't no XML, it's just simple INI-syntax. With those configuration files you tell WIHU what to do, i.e. how to install which software and so on. Once you've configured WIHU acoording to your own needs, it can work in a totally unattended way but you can (no must) also give the user sitting in front of the PC an opportunity to change your pre-configured settings. This is up to you. You'll also notice that WIHU offers you some nice features, e.g. checking for already existing files on your computer and dependent on the result let WIHU install the software or not. This was just one example.

Q5) Is it a DOS-based program?
A5) No. It's a normal Windows program with an own graphical user interface. And it works no matter which Windows service pack is installed.

Q6) Where can I get more information?
A6) First of all look at the homepage (see link list below). There're you'll find some useful information and also some screenshots of the tool. If you download the file you'll also get some example files included with it. And last but not least there's this board here where you can search for already answered questions or ask new ones.

Q7) Is there a manual for WIHU?
A7) Yes, WIHU is in fact now one of the rare tools with a documentation. But unfortunately there's only a German version of it right now. Manuals in other languages might follow as soon as people create them. For more information there's a manual thread.

Q8) Who's the developer of WIHU?
A8) Benjamin Kalytta, a German student. He's a member of this board. By the way: WIHU, of course, adapts to the language of your own system.

Q9) Where can I get WIHU?
A9) http://www.kalytta.com/wihu.php There you can download the tool. Also see link list below.

Here's a list of WIHU-related links:

• download current main release of WIHU (ZIP file)
• download official German manual for WIHU
• developer's homepage
• MSFN WIHU forum thread

A closing note for this FAQ: Let's only have additional contributions to the FAQ in this thread, please post any questions you have as a new thread in the forum, or as posts in the appropriate thread (if a similar subject already exists).

This post has been edited by my2001: Oct 20 2004, 07:27 AM