Admin Tips
- Windows Server 2008/2003/2000/XP/NT Administrator Knowledge Base
  - Windows 2000
    - User Tips
      - Customization
        Set i386 Source Path

Section(s): Windows Server 2008/2003/2000/XP/NT Administrator Knowledge Base, Registry Tips, Miscellaneous, Customization
Published on Nov 11, 2004.
Last Modified on Nov 11, 2004.
Last Modified by Chris Calderon.
Rated 3.5 out of 5 based on 21 votes.

Get rid of an annoying message when you try to add or remove Windows components.

Ever get tired of specifying the source i386 files whenever adding or removing additional components from Windows 2000, XP, or 2003 operating systems?

“Insert Disk

Please insert the floppy disk labeled ‘Windows XP

Professional Service Pack 2 DC’ into drive A: and then

Click OK.

You can also click OK if you want files to be copied

from an alternate location, such as a network server or

a compact disc.”

Get rid of this annoyance by creating a .reg file that specifies the source i386 file path and tells Windows where to go whenever it needs to pull additional setup files from the i386 directory.

Cut and paste the following script and save it as, set_source_i386.reg. Run this .reg file from anywhere on your system to install the following reg keys.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup]

"SourcePath"="C:\\"

"ServicePackSourcePath"="C:\\"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion]

"SourcePath"="C:\\I386"