Microsoft KB Archive/197147

= Command-line switches for IExpress software update packages =

Article ID: 197147

Article Last Modified on 10/26/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft IExpress

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This article was previously published under Q197147



SUMMARY
Microsoft packages software updates by using several different self-extracting file formats that automatically run a Setup program that is contained inside the package. This article describes the command-line switches that you can use with software update packages that use IExpress technology. IExpress technology is used by Microsoft to create software update packages for some versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer, some versions of Windows, and various other products. To determine if a software update package uses IExpress, follow these steps:
 * 1) Right-click the package, and then click Properties.
 * 2) On the General tab, note the Description. IExpress software update packages contain Win32 Cabinet Self-Extractor for the package description.

Note If the package description is Self-Extracting Cabinet, the software update package is a Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 package that uses Hotfix.exe or Update.exe as the Setup program. For additional information about command-line switches that are used by Hotfix.exe and Update.exe, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

262841 Command-Line Switches For Windows Software Update Packages

If the package uses the .msi or .msp file name extension, and then the software update package uses Windows Installer as the Setup program. For additional information about command-line switches used by Windows Installer, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Aa367988

For additional information about the standard terminology that Microsoft is adopting to describe software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the Standard Terminology That Is Used to Describe Microsoft Software Updates



MORE INFORMATION
When you run an IExpress software update package with no command-line switches, the default Setup program is automatically run to install the software update. The Setup program for an IExpress package is either a Setup Information (.inf) file or an executable program.

If the IExpress package uses a Setup Information (.inf) file as its Setup program, you can use IExpress command-line switches to control the installation options for the package. If the IExpress package uses an executable program (for example, an .exe file or a .com file) as its Setup program, use the switches for the Setup program to control the installation options instead of the IExpress switches.

Note You can use the /c:  switch to pass parameters (switches) to the Setup program or specify a different Setup program for the package. For example, the following command-line syntax can be used to run the Internet Explorer Setup package (The IExpress package Ie6setup.exe) and pass parameters to the Setup program (Ie6wzd.exe) that is contained in the package.

Ie6setup  /c:" ie6wzd  "

The following table lists the command-line switches that are supported by IExpress.

Note The use of the /n:v switch is unsupported and may result in an unstartable system. If the installation is unsuccessful, you should consult your support professional to understand why it fails.

