Modifying Windows 9x installation - Is it possible?

[Nashville]

As the title said, I want to create custom installations of Windows 9x (95/98/Me), but there aren't too much solutions on Internet. I want to do this like I do with nLite or NTLite. There are some custom installations, like Windows 98 TE (reffered as Third Edition, it's mentioned here some time ago).

So, any ideas how to create Windows 9x custom install? Thanks.

[Zv45Beta]

It's not very easy, as compared to Windows NT-based installations (whether it's an NT5 based install or NT6 based).

Windows 9x works by using CAB chaining, so you'd have to restructure the whole set of around 30 CAB files.

I was never particularly interested in the guts of the 9x install, but I know a good piece of info, that is, in MINI.CAB, there is a stripped-down version of Windows 3.1 (which you can use with custom programs).

I can look into the guts of 9x, and forward you some info.

[LoneCrusader]

There are ways to do it. I have my own custom builds of 95 OSR2.5, 98SE, and ME that slipstream most HotFixes and some other enhancements. For example my 95 OSR2.5 build already includes my CPU clock speed fixes and USB + USB storage support already installed out of the box. My 98SE build does the same with USB storage + USB2 support. Also slipstreamed VMware VGA drivers to escape 640x480x16 automatically when running in a VM.

There is an old thread at MSFN regarding "w98_slip" that covers the subject pretty well. I don't know if all of the tools referenced there are still available or not though. I use a special slipstreaming package developed by rloew, but it isn't free.

EDIT: Corrected name of old package

[condor.07]

Custom installation in what sense?
if you mean the serial already stored, a custom image on startup ... you can do
if you want to automate installation with the folder $ OEM $ is not possible

[haroldas.velioniskis]

Automation of Windows 9x setup is possible using MSBATCH utility \Tools\ResKit\batch.exe in OEM CD

[Nashville]

Example is listed on this link: https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewt ... 60&t=32473. I have no idea on which way the guy created this installation, how he added programs, DirectX etc. I've heard for 98Lite, but it's not this which I'm looking for.

[haroldas.velioniskis]

He extracted cabinet files, modfied and put everything back together

[oscareczek]

w9xslip

There are only 2 results in Google searching w9xslip: this topic and an MSFN one which you locked not helping at all.

[LoneCrusader]

w9xslip

There are only 2 results in Google searching w9xslip: this topic and an MSFN one which you locked not helping at all.

Apparently I was wrong about the name of the old thread and package.

Here's the original MSFN topic I was referring to.
http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/81068-w ... indows-9x/
And here's some more discussion of this same subject.
https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29398

[mallard]

I want to do this like I do with nLite or NTLite.

So, 98Lite then? It still seems to be commercial software, but a search of this very forum will yield a working download link for the full version.

Honestly, I don't see how you can claim "there aren't too much solutions on Internet" when the tool you're looking for is mentioned on the Wikipedia article for "Software remastering" alongside nLite and NTLite...

[LoneCrusader]

98Lite is a tool to reduce a 98/ME installation and remove certain items. It cannot add any updates or "slipstream" etc to my knowledge.