KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q90337: Where Windows for Workgroups Setup Places Network Files

Article: Q90337
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 3.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 29-SEP-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.1 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

In some instances, Windows for Workgroups version 3.1 Setup may install certain
network files to the root directory of a startup drive. This article explains
why.

MORE INFORMATION
================

In Windows for Workgroups (Windows 3.1 running on a network), the personal
WINDOWS directory contains all files with .INI, .GRP, and .PIF extensions, as
well as REG.DAT, WIN.COM, WINVER.EXE, and any MS-DOS device drivers. The
personal WINDOWS directory may also contain the MS-DOS network device drivers
and the NET.EXE, MSIPX.COM, and NETX.COM files. (These files may also be copied
to the root directory of a startup drive.) The shared WINDOWS directory contains
all other Windows files.

The NETWORK.INF file uses the keywords "windir," "sysdir," "netdir," and "devdir"
to classify the different Windows files. These files are placed in the WINDOWS
directory, SYSTEM directory or root directory of the startup drive, depending on
the type of installation you perform.

Real-mode network device drivers are classified as devdir files. These include
PROTMAN.DOS, PROTOCOL.INI, and WORKGRP.SYS. The device drivers in this directory
must be correctly referenced in the CONFIG.SYS file.

Real-mode network utilities and terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) programs are
classified as netdir files. These include NET.EXE, MSIPX.COM, NETX.COM, and
ROUTE.COM. These utilities and TSRs must be correctly referenced in the
AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

The following table illustrates how Setup determines where to place the files
classified as Netdir and Devdir.

Location of Windows Installation          Netdir      Devdir
-------------------------------------------------------------

Windows installed on a fixed drive        WINDOWS     WINDOWS
Windows installed on a compressed drive   WINDOWS     Root
Windows installed on a removable drive    Root        Root
(for example, SCSI)
Shared network installation of Windows    Root        Root
(using the SETUP /N command)

KBCategory: kbnetwork kbsetup
KBSubcategory: wfw wfwg

Additional query words: 3.10 syquest stacker stack electronics double disk super stor superstor setup /n /a net netsetup bernouli external outside auxiliary wfwg bernoulli

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWFWSearch kbWFW310
Version           : WINDOWS:3.1

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.