Windows installation best practices

Hi,
..
I have been fixing a pc (a windows box my sweetheart has) and I am
trying to install Windows in a single/separate partition (which I would
like to make read-only for all users other than the administrator) then
I would like to somehow alter windows to setup all its working folders
(for users, temporary ones, ...) somewhere else
..
I would like to also keep all windows applications (if possible IE as
well) in a dedicated partition
..
I am not exactly a windows lover or basher either. Windows keeps the
internal local files used by all other applications where, in the
registry? Is there a way to get all this info out ot it? Say, by just
searching for "File Settings"?
..
You get to these settings, say, in IE by going Tools -> Internet
Options -> Temporary FIles -> Settings and under MS Word Tools ->
Options -> File Locations
..
Where could you find a master list of all internal files common
windows applications, such a MS Office, set and how to reset these? Can
you do it using a batch file to change the registry at once?
..
I would like to also read about Windows installation best practices
..
Thanks
lbrthcx

PLANNING YOUR PARTITIONS
http://www.aumha.org/a/parts.htm


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============


wrote:

> Hi,
> .
> I have been fixing a pc (a windows box my sweetheart has) and I am
> trying to install Windows in a single/separate partition (which I would
> like to make read-only for all users other than the administrator) then
> I would like to somehow alter windows to setup all its working folders
> (for users, temporary ones, ...) somewhere else
> .
> I would like to also keep all windows applications (if possible IE as
> well) in a dedicated partition
> .
> I am not exactly a windows lover or basher either. Windows keeps the
> internal local files used by all other applications where, in the
> registry? Is there a way to get all this info out ot it? Say, by just
> searching for "File Settings"?
> .
> You get to these settings, say, in IE by going Tools -> Internet
> Options -> Temporary FIles -> Settings and under MS Word Tools ->
> Options -> File Locations
> .
> Where could you find a master list of all internal files common
> windows applications, such a MS Office, set and how to reset these? Can
> you do it using a batch file to change the registry at once?
> .
> I would like to also read about Windows installation best practices
> .
> Thanks
> lbrthcx
>

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
For installation.
Then you need to read up about 'Accounts' and Privileges i.e. what that
account can do
There's very little point in installing apps to other than the C drive.
You can move My Documents (For any user) to any other drive/partition.
App data files can be located, usually, on any drive, its normally an option
of the app
Apps are likely to install files in many Win locations, you cannot in most
instances avoid this.
It doesn't matter where the user settings are, if the user can access these.

PS what type of 'pc' environment are you from?


<> wrote in message
news: oups.com...
> Hi,
> .
> I have been fixing a pc (a windows box my sweetheart has) and I am
> trying to install Windows in a single/separate partition (which I would
> like to make read-only for all users other than the administrator) then
> I would like to somehow alter windows to setup all its working folders
> (for users, temporary ones, ...) somewhere else
> .
> I would like to also keep all windows applications (if possible IE as
> well) in a dedicated partition
> .
> I am not exactly a windows lover or basher either. Windows keeps the
> internal local files used by all other applications where, in the
> registry? Is there a way to get all this info out ot it? Say, by just
> searching for "File Settings"?
> .
> You get to these settings, say, in IE by going Tools -> Internet
> Options -> Temporary FIles -> Settings and under MS Word Tools ->
> Options -> File Locations
> .
> Where could you find a master list of all internal files common
> windows applications, such a MS Office, set and how to reset these? Can
> you do it using a batch file to change the registry at once?
> .
> I would like to also read about Windows installation best practices
> .
> Thanks
> lbrthcx
>

Actually on both my desktop and laptop I use partitioned drives, with Windows
and system-related stuff on C, 'non-system' apps and data elsewhere. I try
to make sure that no autostarting services run from anywhere other than C:
for reasons below.

This has the disadvantage that space cannot be allocated as-required, but
does make it a lot easier to backup the system or data as required. A backup
of Windows as a Drive Image thus only takes a single DVD (in fact I used to
be able to squeeze it onto a CD if I deleted pagefile.sys) whereas with a
monolitihic disk-structure it'd look more like the Towers of Hanoi.

Since the programs or data can be restored under Windows (while the OS needs
to be restorable from DOS or PE in case of total failure) any conventional
means of backup can be used there.

And if your drive fails you will still have to reinstall apps, unless you
have an image of the entire hd

"Ian" <> wrote in message
news:F99E1311-A9DF-4F53-8D4F-...
> Actually on both my desktop and laptop I use partitioned drives, with
Windows
> and system-related stuff on C, 'non-system' apps and data elsewhere. I
try
> to make sure that no autostarting services run from anywhere other than C:
> for reasons below.
>
> This has the disadvantage that space cannot be allocated as-required, but
> does make it a lot easier to backup the system or data as required. A
backup
> of Windows as a Drive Image thus only takes a single DVD (in fact I used
to
> be able to squeeze it onto a CD if I deleted pagefile.sys) whereas with a
> monolitihic disk-structure it'd look more like the Towers of Hanoi.
>
> Since the programs or data can be restored under Windows (while the OS
needs
> to be restorable from DOS or PE in case of total failure) any conventional
> means of backup can be used there.
>

> PS what type of 'pc' environment are you from?
I have always used a number of OSs. If you would ask me what my fav
babe now adays is, I would tell you knoppix (knoppix.net)
..
I remember that time someone's computer started misfunctioning and it
was a windows box. I liked very much how Windows was installed in thsi
box. The owner then told me her son was a tech monkey and he had done
it for her
..
I wish I had jotted down the details of what I saw
..
lbrtchx

... and speaking of Windows set ups. I once heard some smart rear end
knowledgably stating that Windows XP and 2K, 98?... could all be
installed on the same disk without any problems
..
Could you indicate to me some good info/links on it?
..
Thank you
lbrtchx

You can install them on the same disk, however they each need their seperate
partitions to ensure no confusion. put the oldest operating system in first,
leave XP for last, plan your partitions for each, I'd leave 20Gig for XP
maybe more if possible.


"" wrote:

> ... and speaking of Windows set ups. I once heard some smart rear end
> knowledgably stating that Windows XP and 2K, 98?... could all be
> installed on the same disk without any problems
> ..
> Could you indicate to me some good info/links on it?
> ..
> Thank you
> lbrtchx
>
>

Setting up you computer as you describe is not completly possible. While you
can have a copy of XP on your C: drive you will need to make sure that all
future applications install to your other partition manually. Also from the
research I have done there is no way to have windows install the documents
and settings folder on a seperate partition.

"" wrote:

> Hi,
> ..
> I have been fixing a pc (a windows box my sweetheart has) and I am
> trying to install Windows in a single/separate partition (which I would
> like to make read-only for all users other than the administrator) then
> I would like to somehow alter windows to setup all its working folders
> (for users, temporary ones, ...) somewhere else
> ..
> I would like to also keep all windows applications (if possible IE as
> well) in a dedicated partition
> ..
> I am not exactly a windows lover or basher either. Windows keeps the
> internal local files used by all other applications where, in the
> registry? Is there a way to get all this info out ot it? Say, by just
> searching for "File Settings"?
> ..
> You get to these settings, say, in IE by going Tools -> Internet
> Options -> Temporary FIles -> Settings and under MS Word Tools ->
> Options -> File Locations
> ..
> Where could you find a master list of all internal files common
> windows applications, such a MS Office, set and how to reset these? Can
> you do it using a batch file to change the registry at once?
> ..
> I would like to also read about Windows installation best practices
> ..
> Thanks
> lbrthcx
>
>