Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Erin Marie Bourke-Dunphy

Jeff A Zimniewicz

Kartik Nadipuram Raghavan

James D Harriger

George Oliver Jenkins

Marco Chierotti

Paul Fitzgerald

Bill Ingle

Keith Logan

A software tool and method are provided for selectively installing service packs in a computer system according to dependency information and whether or not an upgrade to an application is scheduled. The method comprises prompting a user for desired setup information and installing the service pack associated with an existing application if the application requires the service pack and if the desired setup information indicates that an upgrade component corresponding to the application is not to be installed. In addition, the service pack is installed if the upgrade component is to be installed and if the service pack is required for upgrading the application.

Method and software tools for intelligent service pack installation

A user interface is composed using methods and systems that allow modifying or re-using existing user interfaces, or creating new user interfaces. In providing for such interfaces, context-sensitive or context specific attributes that are associated with a particular user, user groups, and/or application(s) are used as the basis of composition. This allows for the dynamic creation of user interfaces based upon the situation.

Flexible management user interface from management models

Information is acquired indicative of a location scenario where a plurality of software components are to be installed. The location scenario is employed to configure the software components, such as by setting at least some of the components as default components to facilitate selection and/or configuration of the software components during a setup process. The location scenario is further employed to configure selected components to have functionality based on the location scenario.

Location-based scenarios to facilitate selection of system configuration

A software tool and method are provided for performing a setup operation in a computer system. The software tool comprises a setup component adapted to sense an attribute associated with the computer system and to selectively provide one of standard prompting and special prompting to a user according to the attribute, and a user interface component adapted to render a plurality of setup prompts to a user and to obtain at least one setup parameter. The invention advantageously provides for customized user prompting according to the system attribute whereby one or more prompt screens may be suppressed and default setup parameters used where the attribute indicates that the prompt screens are unnecessary. Moreover, one or more additional prompt screens may be rendered to the user according to the attribute.

Method and software tool for intelligent operating system installation

An interface is provided for identifying which components a user desires to install on one or more computers. An installation procedure is determined based on dependency requirements for components that are selected for installation. The installation procedure may describe a desired order and/or sequence for installing selected application and/or service components.

System and method to facilitate installation of components across one or more computers

An improved method and system for integrating a client computer into a computer network is described. At the server, information is taken from a user's account, user input, and the server registry and a series of application configuration files is generated for use by an installation program. A client set-up program automatically configures the client computer for communication with the server. An installation manager installs application programs from the server to the client computer, configuring them according to the application configuration files.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Erin Marie Bourke-Dunphy