## Installing Software Under Windows NT

Most UNIX vendors have been very slow to standardize software installation. Early versions required a lot of knowledge and input from the system administrator in the form of shell scripts, file permissions, manual editing of rc files and awareness of issues such as available disk space. Some UNIX systems are now offering GUI installation tools that enable less knowledgeable administrators to install software. Typical Windows NT software is easy to install. It is usually a matter of double-clicking an icon and rebooting when done. Deinstallation of software has traditionally been a problem with Windows operating systems, but the situation has improved with Windows NT. There are still packages that leave Start menu items, files, dynamic-link libraries (DLLs), and registry settings behind, but the Add/Remove Programs utility on the Control Panel goes a long way toward correcting this as vendors realize it’s an important issue. Most of the software included as part of the base Windows NT installation reacts well, but the quality of third-party software installation varies.

You will also discover that Windows NT needs to be rebooted for almost any kind of system software change. The system requires a reboot when a program or service has to be bound to the protocol, otherwise it doesn’t actually bind. Some programs, such as SNA Server, can even perform dynamic bindings of protocols and services to network and comm adapters. As a UNIX administrator, you are probably used to manually starting new software and rebooting only when the kernel needs to be rebuilt. You may be surprised by the number of times Windows NT needs to be rebooted as part of normal system administration. Some of the UNIX techniques can be used on Windows NT to avoid reboots. For example, if the configuration of a service is changed, it may be possible to stop and restart the service to reread the registry and pick up the new settings.

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Last Updated: December 1, 1997