Answer File.
unattended
Yes. It is used for an unattended installation of Windows 2000/XP.
A script is a file that contains a set of commands to be performed. Instead of you manually entering all of the commands into the console, the script is run and does it automatically.
The type of installation that uses an answer file is known as an unattended installation. In this process, the answers to installation prompts are pre-defined in a text file, allowing Windows to automate the installation without requiring user interaction. This method is particularly useful for deploying operating systems across multiple machines efficiently and consistently. The answer file typically includes configurations for settings like partitioning, user accounts, and product keys.
answer file
An unattend fileWindows Server 2008: Answer File
An .MSI file usually is a Microsoft Windows installation file, associated with "Windows Installer." It contains control information that identifies several installation criteria for a Windows application.
.bat indicates a batch file, which is a script. You can see what it contains by opening it with a text editor, such as notepad.
To install an XML setup file, you typically need to have a compatible application or installer that can interpret the XML configuration. First, download the XML setup file and ensure it is in the correct location as specified by the application. Then, run the associated installation command or script, which will read the XML file and proceed with the installation process. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
In general each command in a script file is on a separate line, so it is terminated with a line terminator character (put it automatically when you press the Enter key). Unlike some programming languages, a script file does not need a special terminator for the end of the line.
A .sh file is a shell script.
An attended installation is one in which someone is present at the computer and will answer questions / select options while installing. This is in contrast to an unattended installation, where the installer reads an answer file and thus no one needs to be present.