Microsoft KB Archive/171783

= How to Set Up AutoConfig URL =

Article ID: 171783

Article Last Modified on 12/31/1999

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit 3.2a

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This article was previously published under Q171783





SUMMARY
The Auto-Configuration feature enables you to specify the URL of the .ins file that contains the information about your custom Internet Explorer settings, such as the browser title and start page, every time the browser is started. You can specify this URL in the wizard and easily update the settings by changing the specified .ins files.



Auto-Configuration URLs
Auto-Configuration URLs are most useful if you want to use company-wide or group-wide settings. Enable you to maintain browser settings from a central .ins file. For example, you could create a set of individual per-user .ins files. Within those files, you could specify one central Auto-Configuration URL for updating settings.

Note: the URL must begin with "http://" For example:

http://testsvr/test.ins

To set up Auto-Configuration URLs
To set up Auto-Configuration URLs you must first determine the specific number of .ins files you need, for example, one for the whole company and one for each division. After you create the file or files, you can use the INS Editor to easily administer these configuration files. The INS Editor enables you to open any .ins file and make changes to settings such as Proxy, Start and Search pages, Quicklinks, and restricted option menu commands.
 * 1) To open the INS Editor, click INSEDIT.EXE, click Open, and then locate a sample .ins file, such as Instal.ins located in the Reskit\Isp\Servless folder.
 * 2) Make any changes to the default settings.
 * 3) Save the revised file with a unique file name, for example, Sales.ins.
 * 4) Copy the new .ins file to an HTTP server share. When you are running the wizard, specify the path to this URL when it is requested.
 * 5) Repeat steps 1 through 3 for each .ins file you want.

To Setup a Server for Auto Configuration
The Internet/Intranet server that will be used for Auto Configuration must support the HTTP protocol. The .ins file that will be used for the configuration can be located in any directory that is accessible by the server. The directory where the .ins file resides must have read and execute permissions and must also allow anonymous access to the ins file. If there is any other form of authentication for the .ins file, the browser will not be configured.

Keywords: kbinfo KB171783

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