Rename the the Root "Windows" folder in 2003

Gillie

Hi All,

I want to rename the installation folder in 2003 from Windows to Winnt.
Can it be done? I presume i'll have to change boot.ini as well?

Cheers

Capt'n Midnight

You can install windows to a different folder

you can't rename the folder while windows is running
and you can't edit the registry when it isn't running (and there are some parts of the registry you aren't allowed to modify at all)

you could try saving the current config, using one of those deployment wizards, where you setup one PC the way you want it and use it a template for others. then try and edit that file to change the windows folder name and then install and hope to inherit the settings, but even then your apps might still break and goodness knows how many other places in the registry are linked to c:\windows especially third party apps.

seamus

In theory, it should be possible with a lot of very careful work. In practice, I'd be super impressed if anyone managed to pull it off and end up with a stable server.

It can be done at install time, but that's about it. Is there any particular reason why you want to do this? There may be a workaround, I'm assuming it's for backwards compatibility.

Gillie

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

You can install windows to a different folder

you can't rename the folder while windows is running
and you can't edit the registry when it isn't running (and there are some parts of the registry you aren't allowed to modify at all)

you could try saving the current config, using one of those deployment wizards, where you setup one PC the way you want it and use it a template for others. then try and edit that file to change the windows folder name and then install and hope to inherit the settings, but even then your apps might still break and goodness knows how many other places in the registry are linked to c:\windows especially third party apps.

I'm using SmartStart (7.30) to Auto install and there is no option to change the installation folder. (I know there is with Open Manage for Dell's).
If I go through the normal install method how do I change the folder from Windows to Winnt?

I am working with a test server so there is no danger in breaking anything.

Thanks for the help so far!

seamus

You should be prompted at the start of the install (i.e. at the blue screen bit) to change the default folder if you wish. Haven't done a manual install of 2k3 in a while, so I may be wrong.
If I am...
http://www.nliteos.com will allow you to create a customised install which includes changing the default install folder.

Stephen

Yeah you'd have to install direct from the Windows CD instead of using HP smartstart. You would then have to manually install all the various drivers and stuff from the smartstart CD post-install.

I'm surprised smart start doesn't let you configure the name of the installation folder.

Gillie

Stephen wrote:

Yeah you'd have to install direct from the Windows CD instead of using HP smartstart. You would then have to manually install all the various drivers and stuff from the smartstart CD post-install.

I'm surprised smart start doesn't let you configure the name of the installation folder.

I know! It's a pain in the arse!
Still not 100% sure where the option is to change the folder with the manual install from the windows cd???

Gillie

In the end I followed the instructions in the following article.
Thanks for all your help.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/235478